First Generation Connections
Welcome to the First Generation Connections program! Our goal is to ensure that all students, including first-generation, receive the tools they need to be successful at Lamar University. Being first-gen at LU means your parents or guardians did not complete a four-year college or university degree in the United States.
Research shows that the barriers to success for first-generation students are not just academic. Social, emotional, and physical barriers can be just as impactful. We invite the Lamar University campus community to join us as we build a network for first-generation students to thrive and grow.
Fall 2024 Events
First Gen Cardinal Care Resource Fair
Thursday, November 7
Noon - 2 pm
Setzer Student Center Atrium
Receive campus resources from different departments on campus. Engage with other first-gen students and supporters. There will be information on preparing for finals, study tips, and preparing for spring 2025 semester. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend.
First Gen College Celebration Student Award Luncheon
Friday, November 8
Noon - 1:30 pm
Reaud Executive Suite
We will celebrate the Fall 2024 First Gen Students of the Month, McNair Scholars, and other first gen students for their accomplishments and achievements. Guest Speaker Dr. Thomas Johnson, President Lamar State College Orange. By invitation only.
First Gen Virtual College Celebration
Saturday, November 9
11 am - Noon
Virtual
Engage and celebrate online first gen LU students. There will be a panel discussion, activities, and door prizes.
NASPA Annual Conference
March 15-19, 2025
New Orleans, Louisiana
This conference is a global gathering of student affairs professionals enthusiastic about important higher education issues including first-gen and other areas. Undergraduate students who have fellowships and graduate students are welcome to attend. Contact us for more information.
First Generation Students of the Month
NOVEMBER
Alex Tran
Electrical Engineering
Sophomore
Port Arthur
Being a first-generation student is a testament to resilience. It shows how I have overcome unique challenges and chartered a path where none existed before in my family. This journey represents breaking barriers and setting a powerful example for others in the community.
NOVEMBER
Jesus Mendoza
Management Information Systems
Senior
Laredo
Being a first-generation Latino college student means I am pioneering a path for myself, balancing academic challenges with cultural expectations. It’s a point of immense pride and resilience, reflecting my determination to overcome. I aged out of the foster system at the age of 18 and have faced many challenges since, learning to be independent and responsible being the hardest one. This achievement is not just personal but also a testament to other foster children in the system, that perseverance can lead to overcoming significant obstacles. It’s an honor to be a role model and inspire others to pursue their own dreams.
OCTOBER
Emma Nelson
Interdisciplinary Studies for Social Studies
Sophomore
Lumberton
I carry the pride of being a first-generation college student as a testament of my parents' unwavering support. This pride is rooted in the appreciation of the sacrifices made by my parents that have allowed me to continue my education. Because higher education is accessible to me, I can beat the statistics and be used as a hopeful example for future generations. One thing that I have learned as a first-generation college student is that every obstacle can easily be turned into an opportunity, and that is why I am first-gen proud.
OCTOBER
Vavah A. Kamasa-Quashie
Psychology
Senior
Fort Worth
I am proud to be first gen because it fuels me to be a better version of myself. By furthering my education, I will be able to provide for myself and my family and be an inspiration to others in my community.
SEPTEMBER
Billy Rash
Business Marketing
Senior
Nederland
College allows people to pave their own way into the world. Being a first-gen college student means teaching yourself how to get into that position. Most of the guidance I have found throughout my life has come from the relationships I have made with those around me. Teachers, coaches, and friends have all become mentors in my path. My relationship with these people is what I am most proud about as a first-gen student.
Advisory Council
Dr. Wilma R. Jackson, Co-Chair
Director, Strategic Initiatives
Andre Favors, Co-Chair
Instructor, Communication and Media
Dr. Gabriel Crosby
Assistant Vice President, Student Success
Pamela Comer
Director, McNair Scholars Program
Dr. Maegan Collins
Chair, LIT General Education and Developmental Studies
Adjunct Faculty, Lamar University
Dr. Ashley Dockens
Certified AI Expert
Assistant Provost, Academic Innovation and Quality Assurance
Associate Dean, Policy and Procedure, College of Graduate Studies
Amy Jones
Coordinator, Center for Teaching and Learning Enhancement
Celine Do
LU Alumni, HR Coordinator, Provost Umphrey Law Firm
Zelda Glenmore
Assistant Director, Housing and Residence Life
Ben Kern
Director, Recreational Sports
Contact Us
Dr. Freddie Titus
Vice President, Division of Student Affairs and Strategic Initiatives
Dr. Wilma R. Jackson
Director of Strategic Initiatives
Email: wjackson10@lamar.edu
Phone/Fax/Email:
Phone: (409) 880-7169
Fax: (409) 880-7131
Email: sicr@lamar.edu
Office Hours & Location:
Mon-Fri: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Closed 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
912 West Virginia
Beaumont, Texas 77705
Mailing Address
PO Box 10308
Beaumont, Texas 77710
Physical Address:
912 West Virginia
Beaumont, Texas 77705
