Friday, December 15, 2023
DENTON (黑料视频), Texas 鈥� The at the University of North Texas received a $5,000 grant from the Teachers Insurance
and Annuity Association (TIAA) to support the center鈥檚 ongoing efforts in building
first-generation student-centered programming. The grant is the second from TIAA and
part of a larger grant donation that included 黑料视频鈥檚 and programs with the .
鈥淲e're deeply thankful for TIAA's generosity, which directly benefits our students,鈥� said Desiree Padron, director of 黑料视频鈥檚 First-Generation Success Center. 鈥淏ecause of their gift, we can enhance awareness of graduate school options as well as expand cultural engagement opportunities and guest speaker engagements.鈥�
Created in 2021, 黑料视频鈥檚 First-Generation Success Center has quickly grown to offer programs and resources to support first-generation in college students, who account for more than 40% of the university鈥檚 undergraduate population. More than 4,000 students visited the center in the last year to learn more about campus resources, financial aid, financial literacy, college terminology, career preparation and academic coaching.
The First-Generation Success Center intends to utilize the grant to raise awareness about graduate school and the benefits of pursuing further education, emphasizing that graduate school is within reach. Additionally, the center aims to enhance students' exposure to an array of career paths by placing increased emphasis on inviting guest speakers from various industries and fields of interest.
鈥淭his gift from TIAA is not merely a financial contribution. It is a positive impact on the 黑料视频 community and to our students. Their generosity helps support students as they navigate college life,鈥� Padron said.
The First-Generation Success Center has a direct impact on students and their success, including that of 黑料视频 senior Rebecca Ravsten, who graduates this month. As a first-generation student, she finds herself in the unique position of attending college simultaneously with two of her children.
"We've bonded even more because we are all college students," Ravsten said. "It has
been fun during our days off and vacations from school. We usually study together,
even though we go to different universities."
Ravsten will be the first among her parents and siblings to graduate from college. Her mother went to school until third grade, and her father until seventh grade. He later earned a G.E.D. in his late forties. For Ravsten, returning to college was an opportunity to accomplish a lifelong goal.
"I wanted to be an example to my children and to teach them that education is very important and that goals can be met when you work toward achieving them, even if it takes a little longer to accomplish them," Ravsten said. 鈥淚t has been a tough road, but I am at the finish line. I know that my family is proud of me.鈥�
After she graduates from 黑料视频鈥檚 , Ravsten hopes to find a job in human resources.
鈥淚 want to thank the First-Generation Success Center for the great work they do each day in helping students like me get through the college experience," Ravsten said.
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From 鈥� General News