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First-Generation Honors Association

The First-Generation Honors Association (FGHA) assists first-generation students in their transition to the Honors College/Academic Scholars Program and Michigan State University and fosters their continued success in college. FGHA is committed to building a sense of community among first-generation students on campus; membership is open to students not in the Honors College/Academic Scholars Program. The group consists of first-generation students and advocates (faculty/staff who strive to support first-generation students) across campus.

The association offers:

  • Unique programming tailored to needs of first-generation students
  • Academic/personal support
  • Social events and networking with students, faculty, and staff
  • Leadership opportunities
  • Connections to campus resources and opportunities

For more information on FGHA, you may:

2023-2024 E-board

President Bianca Hami, hamibian@msu.edu
Secretary Jeanette Dompreh, domprehj@msu.edu
Treasurer Kristina Drabczyk, drabczy2@msu.edu
Community Outreach Coordinator Rhea Raut, rautrhea@msu.edu
Mentorship Coordinator Priya Patterson Lee, patte561@msu.edu
Social Events Coordinator Safa Karaein, karaeins@msu.edu


Honors Navigators Peer Mentorship Program

The Honors Navigators Peer Mentorship Program connects first-generation students, international students, and students of color with a peer mentor in the Michigan State University Honors College.

Through the Mentorship Program, you’ll have the opportunity to:

  • Meet other first-generation students at MSU
  • Participate in social & professional development activities
  • Learn from the experiences of your peers as you transition to and navigate MSU

Visit the Honors Navigators Peer Mentorship Program website to learn more. Please contact Erika Crews (ecrews@msu.edu) or Sadiq Mohammed (mohamm61@msu.edu) with any questions.

MSU First-Generation College Celebration | November 6-10, 2023

Congratulations to the MSU students, staff, and faculty recognized during this year’s Vanderploeg First-Generation College Celebration!

2023 First-Generation Leadership and Innovation Student Awards

  • Malcom Charles, TRIO Scholar, Political Science major
  • Sophia Masters, FLI Scholar, Business major
  • Ty’Carria Trevino, Fisheries & Wildlife major

2023 First-Generation Advocate Awards:

  • Courtney Brown, Counselor and Social Worker, Counseling and Psychiatric Services
  • Erika Crews, Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging, Honors College
  • Marlene Villa, Coordinator for First-generation Student Success, Program Coordinator for First-generation Leadership and Innovation (FLI) Vanderploeg Scholars

2023 Vanderploeg Scholar of the Year:

  • Lizzie Ochoa, FLI Scholar and Honors College member, Human Biology major

2023 First-Generation Honors Association’s First-gen Trailblazer Award

  • Destiny Kanning, Human Biology major

2023 Honors College’s Excellence in Community Leadership Awards

  • Cheyenne Marchand, Academic Scholar and Honors College member, Biochemistry/Molecular Biology and Genomics & Molecular Genetics majors
  • Priya Patterson-Lee, Academic Scholar and Honors College member, Drew Science Scholar, Dow STEM Scholar, Neuroscience major

Events

Stay tuned for upcoming events hosted by FGHA and the Honors College!

Past Events

  • Meet and Eat | Tuesday, October 3 @ 7-8PM | STEM 1001
  • FGHA & HCAB Finals Destressor Night | Tuesday, April 26 @ 7-9PM | 207/208 Eustace-Cole Hall
  • First-Generation Celebration | Tuesday, April 12 @ 6PM | 2202 STEM
  • Open FGHA Meeting | Tuesday, March 23 @ 7PM EST | Zoom
  • Carbs, Careers, & Connections | Tuesday, March 9 @ 6PM EST | Zoom
  • First-gen Meet & Mingle | Wednesday, February 10 @ 7PM EST | Zoom
  • Scholarships 101 | Wednesday, November 18 @ 11:30AM EST | Zoom
  • College 101 Kahoot with FGHA & Honors x 2 | Tuesday, September 22 @ 7:00PM | Zoom
  • Open Meeting | Wednesday, March 25 @ 7:00-8:00PM | Zoom
  • Finances 101 | Tuesday, March 17 @ 6:30-8:00PM | Zoom
  • End-of-Semester Celebration/Finals Study Break| Wednesday, December 4 @ 6:00-8:00PM | Bessey Hall 106
  • National First-generation College Celebration | Friday, November 8 @ 9:00-11:00AM | Erickson 226/228
  • Meet the E-board | Sunday, November 3 @ 6:00-8:00PM | 207/208 Eustace-Cole Hall
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