‘We Are First Gen’

What does it mean to be a first-generation college student?

It’s a journey marked by navigating unique challenges while simultaneously breaking down barriers — and it’s one traveled by thousands of Tacoma Huskies each year.

At UW Tacoma, more than half (52%) of all current undergraduate students are the first in their families to pursue a four-year degree. As a campus committed to expanding access and opportunity through higher education, serving these students is a significant source of pride.

To celebrate their inspiring journeys, the university hosted its annual National First-Generation College Celebration and unveiled those selected to participate in its “We Are First Gen” campaign — a storytelling initiative that highlights the experiences of first-generation students and professionals and the strengths they bring to the campus community.

First-Gen Voices, Front and Center

The “We Are First Gen” campaign was launched to foster a sense of community among first-generation students and showcase the courage and determination they demonstrate in pursuing their dreams.

“Being a first-generation college student means we’re not just opening doors for ourselves. We’re holding them open for the next generation to pass through,” said Tifany Brevaldo, a junior majoring in biomedical sciences who is also a licensed practical nurse and U.S. Army veteran.

This year’s campaign features 10 UW Tacoma students, faculty and staff members who shared what being first-generation means to them while offering advice to those on a similar path.

“It’s easy to feel like you have to figure out everything on your own. The truth is, so many people on campus want you to succeed,” said Qaturi Vaughn, a senior majoring in electrical engineering who’s stayed involved on campus through activities like serving as president of the Society of Women Engineers.

At the celebration, each participant received a print of a professionally designed poster featuring their photo and an inspirational quote. The posters will soon be displayed in the Garretson Woodruff & Pratt (GWP) building on campus as a source of inspiration for others.

In her welcome to attendees, UW Tacoma Chancellor Sheila Edwards Lange thanked the campaign participants for their persistence and for sharing their stories with the campus community.

"As a first-generation college student myself, I know this journey can be challenging. There are moments of doubt and uncertainty, of questioning whether you belong," Lange said. "...But it’s also filled with moments of great joy — of discovering your voice, strengthening your purpose, and knowing you belong.”

A Statewide Commitment to First-Gen Student Success

The festivities also offered an opportunity to celebrate first-generation students on a larger scale.

It was announced during the ceremony that Washington Governor Bob Ferguson has officially proclaimed Nov. 8 as First-Generation College Celebration Day to honor the achievements and contributions of first-generation students statewide.

The proclamation was presented to Chancellor Lange and UW Tacoma’s Office of First Gen by Jim Kopriva, who serves as the Governor’s regional representative for the South Sound and Olympic Peninsula.

"This proclamation honors the courage of first-generation students to pursue higher education. It acknowledges the barriers they've faced — and it highlights the ripple effect of their choice on their life, their families, their community, and our state," Kopriva said. "On behalf of Governor Ferguson, I'm proud to present this proclamation to Chancellor Lange and to thank UW Tacoma for its leadership as a First-Gen Forward Campus."

The Evergreen State isn’t the only one affirming its support for first-gen students. Several other states also issued proclamations as part of a national movement led by FirstGen Forward, an organization focused on advancing the success of first-generation students.

In 2024, UW Tacoma was one of 14 institutions selected by FirstGen Forward to join its inaugural class of FirstGen Forward Network Champions, an exclusive group that serves as advisors in advancing first-generation efforts.

"The work that UW Tacoma is doing to reach and retain first-generation students, now the majority of your student body, is life-changing. It's family-tree changing. It's economy-changing," Kopriva said.

Connecting First-Gen Students with Bold Opportunities

The university’s commitment to supporting first-generation students has been long-standing and continually evolved over the years.

UW Tacoma’s Office of First Gen was established in 2019, but its origins can be traced back to 2015, when a cross-campus task force fostered a student-led initiative to create a stronger sense of belonging for first-generation students on campus.

Since then, the office has created several cohort-based support programs, enabling first-gen students to connect with peers and mentors, build financial wellness skills and engage in career-connected learning through internships.

At the ceremony, the Office of First Gen team presented four UW Tacoma faculty members with awards that will provide paid research assistantships to first-generation students on campus. Supported by an endowment from MultiCare, the initiative provides funding for research activities focused on advancing community health and wellness.

Each of these experiences is designed to connect first-generation students with the resources they need to thrive in their college journeys, and with valuable mentorship and hands-on experience they can carry into their future careers.

"As we celebrate, let’s remember that our values are realized through action," Lange said. "Every first-generation student who strives for a brighter future, and every first-generation professional who mentors with care and purpose, helps us fulfill our promise to turn knowledge into impact — for ourselves and the generations to come."