Roger Williams University Celebrates First-Generation Students Through Connection, Community, and Belonging

BRISTOL, R.I. – For first-generation college students, walking across the Commencement stage represents more than earning a degree. It is the culmination of a journey that can transform the trajectory of an entire family, opening doors and creating opportunities for generations to come.

And while they may be the first in their families to reach that milestone, they do not make the journey alone.

“You will not be walking that stage alone,” said Vitaliano Figueroa, Vice President for Student Life, reflecting on his own experiences as a first-generation college student. “You carry the dreams of generations who came before you, and you are paving the way for generations for those who will follow in your footsteps.”

That message of shared achievement, resilience, and belonging resonated throughout RWU’s First-Generation College Celebration Week, held Nov. 2–6, as students, faculty and staff came together to recognize those who are the first in their families to attend college.

Through a university-wide celebration luncheon, a student-led discussion with a first-generation faculty member, and a community gathering hosted by the RWU Extension School, the week highlighted not only the accomplishments of first-generation Hawks but also the relationships, mentorship, and institutional support that help them navigate higher education and realize their aspirations.

For Joanna Ravello Goods, Vice President for Equity and Inclusion and Chief Diversity Officer, the celebration also underscored a commitment that extends beyond the week’s events.

“I hope we continue to practice care, build connection, and help first-generation students and colleagues know that they matter and that their contributions are valued,” Goods said.

Celebrating the Courage to Be First

The week began with the First-Generation Celebration Luncheon, hosted by RWU’s Division of Equity and Inclusion. The gathering brought together first-generation students, faculty, staff, and university leaders for an afternoon of recognition, reflection, and conversation about their shared experiences.

Attendees exchanged stories around tables equipped with conversation prompts, while messages of encouragement from the RWU community appeared throughout the luncheon. The gathering also introduced first-generation Hawk stickers, giving participants another way to visibly celebrate their identities and accomplishments.

Goods connected the celebration to RWU’s Community Starts With Me, Thrives With Us campaign, which emphasizes care, connection, and mattering as essential components of a supportive university community.

“Mattering means knowing that we are seen, valued, and able to contribute,” Goods said. “Celebrating first-generation students and employees is one way we put these commitments into practice.”

Interim President Brian G. Williams echoed that commitment, emphasizing that recognizing first-generation achievement also means acknowledging the unique circumstances students may face when navigating an unfamiliar academic environment.

“You were admitted here because we believe in you and we want you to be part of this community,” Williams said. “Belonging means knowing that your presence matters, that your perspective is valued, and that you have something meaningful to contribute.”

He also stressed that supporting first-generation students cannot be confined to a single week of celebration. As students navigate everything from their first days on campus to midterms, finals, and graduation, Williams emphasized the university has a responsibility to ensure they have the guidance and support necessary to succeed.

Figueroa, who also addressed the gathering, reflected on the courage required to enter higher education without the benefit of a family roadmap. For first-generation students, he explained, the challenge often extends beyond academics to understanding the unfamiliar language, expectations, traditions, and unwritten rules of college life.

“That resilience is your superpower,” he told attendees.

But perseverance alone should not determine whether a student succeeds, he emphasized. Faculty, staff, and administrators share a responsibility to remove barriers, explain unfamiliar processes, expand access to opportunities, and create an environment where every student can thrive.

“Our first generation of students and colleagues enrich Roger Williams University in ways that cannot be measured by a GPA or a job description alone,” Figueroa said.

The Power of Being First

The celebration continued on Tuesday with The Power of Being First, an informal question-and-answer discussion hosted by the Multicultural Student Union (MSU) and First Generation Students club featuring Assistant Professor of Psychology Scott Benson, a first-generation college graduate.

For MSU President Briannalis Ruiz, a sophomore Music and Psychology double major from New Bedford, Mass., the event offered an opportunity for students to recognize their own experiences in someone who had successfully navigated a similar journey.

“We wanted to create an opportunity for first-generation students to hear from someone who experienced being the first in their family to reach higher education,” Ruiz said. “Our hope was for students to leave feeling inspired and proud of their accomplishments while realizing that being a first-generation student is something to celebrate.”

Benson, who also participated in last year’s First-Generation College Celebration Week, welcomed the opportunity to share his experiences and offer the kind of guidance that made a difference in his own education.

“We didn’t have any such events when I was an undergrad, but I certainly had professors and administrators that I likely wouldn’t have succeeded without,” Benson said. “I want to pay that forward any chance I get in the off chance that becomes the difference maker for another student.”

During the discussion, Benson encouraged students to advocate for themselves, ask questions, take advantage of available resources, and build relationships with faculty and peers. He also acknowledged the uncertainty first-generation students can experience when navigating expectations that others may take for granted.

Without a familiar roadmap, he explained, even minor setbacks can feel like evidence that a student does not belong. Seeing professors, administrators, and fellow students who have overcome similar challenges can help challenge that perception.

For Ruiz, the conversation reinforced that success is not defined by a single path or experience.

“Everyone’s journey looks different, and there is no one specific path to success,” she said. “You just have to keep pushing yourself, take advantage of opportunities, and remember that you belong in the spaces you’re in.”

Michael Walsh, Director of Institutional Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and Advisor to the First Generation Students club, said the event sought to help students recognize their first-generation identities as sources of strength rather than obstacles to overcome.

“Being first is not a disadvantage to overcome, but a powerful foundation upon which to build their future,” Walsh said.

For Benson, the discussion also led to an unexpected realization. Although he entered the conversation intending to emphasize self-advocacy and making use of university resources, listening to students describe their own experiences revealed an even more significant takeaway: finding connection.

“Going through college with my wife, also a first-generation student, was a great experience, and it seems like the first-generation students here at Roger really start to thrive once they’ve found their community on campus,” he said.

That sense of community, Ruiz added, is among the most meaningful outcomes of celebrating first-generation students.

“Sometimes students don’t realize how many other people share similar experiences,” she said. “Having spaces where students can connect, share their stories, and support one another helps build a stronger sense of community.”

Building Community with Coffee and Conversation

On Wednesday, the celebration extended to RWU’s Providence campus, where students, faculty and staff gathered for First-Gen Coffee & Community, hosted by the RWU Extension School and the Division of Equity and Inclusion.

Over coffee, food and snacks, attendees enjoyed an opportunity to connect, share conversations, and celebrate their first-generation community. A raffle for RWU swag added to the gathering’s festivities, bringing participants together in an informal and welcoming setting.

The event highlighted the importance of recognizing first-generation experiences across RWU's campuses, academic programs, and educational pathways, reinforcing the week's central message that belonging and community extend to every corner of the university.

Together, the three events reflected a shared commitment to ensuring that first-generation students and employees have opportunities to connect with others who understand their experiences, celebrate their accomplishments, and find encouragement in the broader university community.

For Walsh, that commitment extends far beyond any individual event or observance.

“Celebrating first-generation students is important because representation matters, belonging matters, and recognition matters,” he said. “Students should have opportunities to connect with others who understand their experiences, share their challenges and accomplishments, and recognize that their individual journeys are part of a larger collective story.”

Ultimately, the week served as both a celebration of how far first-generation Hawks have come and a reminder of the possibilities still ahead.

“We want our students to recognize that their backgrounds are not barriers to their aspirations, but meaningful parts of the experiences, perspectives, and strengths they bring to our campus community,” Walsh said.

And through the connections built in classrooms, student organizations, university programs, and everyday encounters, that message continues long after the celebrations conclude: No Hawk has to find their way alone.