Photo Courtesy of Amber Louis. Panelists Jake Schmidt, Vinny Andriotti, Kelly Flannery and Lauren Malone take questions from Alexander Lloyd and give advice to students about networking and mentorship.
The Office of Access and Community Programs at The University of Tampa hosts a week full of events in celebration and acknowledgement of the week. One of the largest and most anticipated being The First-Gen Networking panel, featuring four First-Gen college graduates with leadership positions in the Tampa Bay Community.
By Amber Louis
The Office of Access and Community Programs has been preparing First-Generation week events and ceremonies since early June. So far, there has been Table Trivia, the Tri-Alphia Induction ceremony, a SPEAR led Sip and UnWhine evening, all in preface of the First-Gen Networking Social.
National First-Generation Week this year took place from Nov. 4-10. According to First Gen Forward, 54% of undergraduate students in the U.S. are First-Gen. In addition, only 24% of First-Gen students graduate with bachelor’s degrees.
At the University of Tampa, 23% of undergraduate students are First-Gen, and of those, 8.5% are eligible for Pell Grants. UTampa proudly became a First-Gen Forward Network in 2021. This organization assists higher education institutions to improve success among First-Gen students. It’s accomplished through data, research, resources and scholarships.
Hosted by First-Year Studies Mentorship and Community Engagement Coordinator Martini Gibbons, the event was geared toward networking efforts and mentorship for First-Gen college students with members of the Tampa Bay community.
Leading the panel was Alexander Lloyd, Vice President of SGA, accompanied by Kelly Flannery, CEO of the South Tampa Chamber of Commerce, Jake Schmidt, Owner of Capstar Real Estate, Lauren Malone, Director of Student Support Services at Academy Prep, and Vinny Andriotti, Co-Founder of Cousin Vinny’s Sandwich Shop.
Jasey Bedoya, Coordinator of First-Generation Programs, emphasizes the importance of providing these resources.
“We want to have our own form of branding, our own area that is more visible for people on campus,” said Bedoya. “A lot of students don’t even know that they identify as First-Gen.”
As a First-Gen student herself, Bedoya recognizes the accomplishments the institution has made in its dedication in the Access and Community Programs Department. She outlined the intended goals she has for the program to be further expressed and amplified.
“The goal is to assist these students, you know, a little bit more,” said Bedoya. “We do have some financial incentives which are within the Success Scholars Program, but because of limited funding, there’s just so much we could do. There is a need there.”
Lloyd prefaced the panel with the overarching theme was “Believe in yourself, and build your story.” The importance of First-Gen programs, he continued, was to provide “access and opportunity” while feeling “valued and empowered.”
Andriotti gave powerful advice about owning a business and the power in not only the community but the people you bring on your team.
“You don’t know what you don’t know,” said Andriotti. “The smartest thing I ever got was partners. The power of being a collective is more powerful than being alone.”
In terms of access at UTampa alumnus and former member of Real Estate Club and Entrepreneurship club, Schmidt spoke about making the effort to create connections within the university. Malone also responded to seeking help and advice within the institution.
“Everyone wants to help, especially the teaching staff and faculty,” said Schmidt. “You just have to go and ask.”
“Access is for everyone, it’s about finding someone who will champion you to be there,” said Malone.
In terms of impression, Flannery gave her best piece of advice of how to be remembered by any professional. That being to write a handwritten note to be mailed to them after the interview, coffee chat, or conference.
“I don’t know how much mail you’re getting these days, but I’m opening a handwritten note before a bill,” Flannery said.
The First-Gen Networking Panel orchestrated the ability for students to connect and learn with professionals about mentorship, getting access, and realizing the power that is held in interacting with the community around you.
The last event to close out the celebration of First-Gen week will conclude with a luncheon Nov. 10 at 11:30 a.m. hosted by Bedoya with keynote speaker Dr. Edesa Scarborough.