Nov. 4, 2025
Contact: Janese Heavin, heavinj@missouri.edu
Photo courtesy of Emma McPherson and Audrey Snider
At the University of Missouri, being the first in your family to attend college is more than a milestone, it’s a point of pride.
This week, Mizzou is celebrating that pride through First-Generation College Celebration Week, recognizing students whose parents or guardians did not complete a bachelor’s degree.
Roughly one in four Mizzou students identify as first-generation. While many share similar experiences — such as navigating admissions and financial aid without family members who have done it before — each student brings their own story and perspective, senior Emma McPherson, president of the First-Gen Tigers organization, said.
“Being first-generation isn’t just about familiar circumstances,” McPherson — an Illinois native who chose Mizzou for its Missouri School of Journalism — said. “My parents encouraged education because they didn’t have degrees. Education is our priority, even though it might seem contradictory. But being the first to attend gives you a sense of growth and purpose that’s different from students whose parents did go to college.”
Building community
First-Gen Tigers hosts informational meetings and events to help students navigate college life and find their community on campus.
“We provide information on different topics like financial aid and study abroad,” McPherson said. “But it’s also a way to socialize. It’s about bringing ideas to the forefront and letting students know they have an army of people behind them supporting them and wishing them the best.”
Mizzou also offers scholarships and other programs designed for first-gen success, including new events debuting this week.
Students are noticing those efforts, said senior Audrey Snider, vice president of First-Gen Tigers.
“A lot of the first-gen programming is new so it might be hard to see the impact, but it is really making a difference,” she said. “The resources are incredibly helpful, and that support is benefiting students.”
Snider, who is majoring in business administration with an emphasis in marketing, is a Heartland Scholar at the Robert J. Trulaske, Sr. College of Business. The Heartland Scholars Academy connects first-generation students from rural communities with professional development, networking and other programming.
“I feel very fortunate to be in the Heartland Scholars Academy because it’s given me a lot of resources, helped me get internships and connected me with mentors and people who have pushed me to new heights,” Snider said.
Celebrating during first-gen week
Throughout First-Generation College Celebration Week, schools and colleges across campus are hosting panels, workshops and celebrations to recognize and support first-generation students. Among this year’s events:
- Calming Crafternoon
1:30-4:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 6 | Ellis Library Main Floor
Hosted by MU Libraries - Let’s Taco ’Bout Money: Bite-sized Finance for First-Gen Students
12-1 p.m. Friday, Nov. 7 | Wellness Resource Center
Hosted by Office for Financial Success
- First-Gen Week Paint and Sipz
3:30-4:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 7 | Cornell Hall Room 15
Hosted by the Trulaske College of Business
- First-Gen Art Installation Reception
4-5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 7 | Ellis Library Main Floor
Hosted by Ellis Library, College of Arts and Science, College of Education and Human Development
McPherson encourages first-generation Tigers to step out of their comfort zones and take part in the festivities.
“Getting to know new people is not as scary as it sounds,” she said. “In order to be a community, you have to create a community. It’s about reciprocating that support and energy and taking advantage of opportunities. It’s worth it.”
