Anthony Hitch, a compass leader and academic success tutor, has set up the First-Generation Experience Series.
The series will consist of four workshops focused on building community amongst first-generation college students here on campus.
“It grew out of my position as a compass leader,” Hitch said. “The compass leader program tries to reach out to students that may feel like they need some guidance. Not just in their academic career, but also their future aspirations and personal goals.”
Each session has a unique topic, including refining strengths (Jan. 20), values and motivations (Feb. 10), communities and social identity (Feb. 24), and individual identity and overcoming fear (Mar. 16). All sessions are held at 3 p.m. in Blackmore Library 110.
Hitch said the series is designed to address first-generation student issues, give them a safe place to talk, and allow them to realize there are other people going through the same things that they are going through.
“I am a first generation student,” Hitch said. “I’ve had a really wonderful time as a student. A lot of people have reached out to me and given me guidance, but there was a lot I didn’t know simply because my parents didn’t go to school.”
The main goal of the series is to promote self-efficacy, grit, and resilience to help first-generation students continue until graduation.
Hitch has worked in conjunction with the university’s success mentoring program to bring the series to students.
“I would like to see first-gen Capital students really see that there are great opportunities out there for them … That their options are much wider than they might think, and that they have the tools and resources to dream a bit bigger,” Hitch said.
While the program is designed in steps and aimed at holistic development, Hitch said attending just one of the sessions will still be highly beneficial.
For more information, contact Anthony Hitch at ahitch@capital.edu, and Rachel Scherzer at rscherzer@capital.edu.
