UAlbany Celebrates National First-Generation Week
By Amy Geduldig
Last week, the University at Albany marked National First-Generation Week with two major events celebrating the experiences and achievements of its first-generation students: the opening of a new First-Generation Scholars Lounge on Nov. 4 and an evening program on Nov. 6.
Designated a First-Gen Forward institution in 2022, more than one-third of UAlbany students are the first in their families to attend university. The University is also consistently ranked among the top schools in the nation for supporting the social mobility of its students.
First-Generation Week was launched nationally in 2017 to celebrate the success of first-generation college students, faculty, staff and alumni. The University's events this year highlighted the experience of students and the growing network of resources and services designed to support them.
New Scholars Lounge Opens in Taconic Hall 265
UAlbany officially unveiled its First-Generation Scholars Lounge in Taconic Hall 265 to a standing-room-only crowd of faculty, students and staff. The new space represents the University’s tangible commitment to first-generation scholars — a dedicated room for studying, connecting with peers, and finding a quiet break during the day.
At the ribbon cutting, Academic Advisor Zachary Desjardins — a first-generation student himself — described the strong community of support that thrives on campus. "This lounge is more than a space; it is a place where first-generation students can feel supported, inspired and empowered to pursue their dreams. It celebrates resilience, determination... Moments like these show that when a community stands together, anything is possible.”
The lounge was made possible through a collaboration between Academic Innovation and Student Success, the First-Gen leadership team and Academic Affairs. JoAnne Malatesta, vice provost and dean of undergraduate studies, also a first-generation student, emphasized UAlbany’s focus on student success. She noted that staff and faculty “think about first-gen students daily and are deeply invested in their success,” calling the lounge “one of a million things here for you.”
After the ribbon cutting, students quickly filled the space, which featured inspirational words from fellow students and staff. Kaitlin, a first-year student from Queens exploring the lounge with five new friends, said it offered “a sense of community — no matter who you are or whatever your background is from.” Another first-year student added “I’m the first one in my family to go to college. It just means a lot to me. At first it was really hard for me to adjust. Meeting new people that are going through the same thing makes me feel better.”
A Night of First-Gen Stories
Two days later, the celebration shifted to the Campus Center for an evening of conversation and reflection. Dozens of students gathered over food to share their experiences.
First-year student Aisha Mendez opened the program by naming the fear many first-gen students feel when they arrive on campus — the weight of being the first in their family to attend college and the uncertainty of whether they’ll find comfort, home and community. She expressed gratitude for the new First-Gen Scholars lounge and thanked the University for creating “a place where you know there are others who are just like you,” with mentors and students ready to offer support.
A standout moment came from fellow first-year student Marisabel Rodriguez, who recited an original poem titled “We Hold These Truths,” which explored themes of identity and resilience. Her performance closed with a powerful declaration:
“So hear me tonight: these truths are not just ink, not just history, not just words we repeat when convenient. They are hope; they are promise; they are fight. And I, Marisabel Rodriguez Gutierrez, stand here burning, holding them high so everyone can see we are equal. We deserve life. We deserve liberty. We deserve happiness, and we will take it.”
Later, Massry Business student Jessica Massas, from the Bronx, reflected on her journey as a third-year senior who is graduating early. “Not only is getting to college as a first-generation student stressful but also being in college as a first-generation student is stressful,” she said. “There’s such a learning curve, and that learning curve is way wider when you’re first-gen.”
She urged others to seek out opportunities proactively and to ask for help from those around them. Massas — who completed an internship with Goldman Sachs last year and recently accepted a job at the company after graduation — has dedicated her final year at UAlbany to supporting her fellow students, attending events, serving as a mentor and offering insight to those in attendance: “I’m ending up in places that I never thought I’d be. Once I got here, really opening my eyes to the opportunities and how endless they were was incredible to me.”
