MOBILE, Ala. — The University of South Alabama honored first-generation students and faculty on Wednesday, Nov. 4, as the university’s Office of Community Engagement marked National First-Generation College Celebration Day with an event that drew more than 175 people.
The program recognized four students who are the first in their families to pursue a college degree, along with three faculty and staff members who were once first-generation students themselves. The featured speaker was alumna Dr. Chelsea Douglas, an adjunct faculty member in the Department of Political Science and Criminal Justice in the College of Arts and Sciences.
A Celebration of First-Generation Jaguars
First-generation college students are generally defined as students whose parents did not complete a four-year college degree. They often arrive on campus without family members who can explain how to navigate admissions, financial aid, course registration and campus life, which can make support and recognition especially meaningful.
South Alabama celebrates its first-generation students through events such as its annual luncheon, which is meant to support and recognize the different academic paths those students have taken.
Dr. Joél Billingsley, vice president for community engagement, said they want first-generation Jaguars to share their experiences and successes with the South community, hoping the special day will inspire and motivate first-generation and all USA students to connect and celebrate their achievements.
Dr. Chelsea Douglas on Resilience, Loyalty and Community
Douglas is a public policy scholar, educator and community leader focused on advancing civic engagement and leadership development. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in history and a Master of Public Administration from the USA College of Arts and Sciences, then went on to complete her doctorate at the University of Delaware.
Her speech, titled “What Does Resilience Look Like?,” centered on connection, building community and loyalty.
Douglas said there is value in loyalty, strength, and faithfulness, explaining that loyalty determines, strength sustains, and faith connects to beliefs, urging people to remain connected to what they have learned.
She also stressed the role that support networks play in a student’s success, reminding the audience that no one completes the journey alone.
Douglas said each person has been part of someone’s journey, and they honor the collective effort.
As a graduate of two South Alabama programs who now teaches at the university, Douglas offered students in the audience an example of where their own degrees could lead.
Students Recognized
The university recognized the following first-generation students:
- Gracie Hankins of Biloxi, Mississippi, a second-year graduate student studying biology. She is the daughter of Marisa and Zak Hankins and a graduate of Biloxi High School.
- Dallas Trehern of Mobile, a second-year graduate student studying history. He is the son of Jackie and Dallas Trehern Sr. and a graduate of Mary G. Montgomery High School.
- James Lawrence III of Eufaula, Alabama, a senior majoring in communication with a minor in health and wellness. He is the son of Jennifer and James Lawrence Jr. and a graduate of Eufaula High School.
- Tomecia Watts of Mobile, a sophomore majoring in radiologic sciences. She is the daughter of Sue Watts and Goodman Dortch and a graduate of Williamson High School.
The group reflects the range of first-generation students at South Alabama, from undergraduates early in their college careers to graduate students pursuing advanced degrees. Two of the honorees are graduates of Mobile County public high schools, while the others came to the university from elsewhere in Alabama and from the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
Broderick Morrissette, director of community engagement, encouraged first-generation students to share their stories and inspire each other to pave the way for future generations, and applauded their academic and leadership achievements.
Faculty and Staff Who Were First-Generation Students
The celebration also recognized three members of the university community who were first-generation students before building careers in higher education and health care education:
- Trey Johnson, associate director of admissions and recruitment operations
- Dr. Anjie Davis, director of the USA Simulation Program
- Dr. Christina Baughn, assistant professor of adult health nursing
Recognizing faculty and staff alongside students shows current first-generation Jaguars that people who once stood where they are now lead programs, teach classes and help bring new students to campus.
Why Nov. 8 Matters for First-Generation Students
National First-Generation College Celebration Day is tied to Nov. 8, the anniversary of the signing of the Higher Education Act of 1965. President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the law as part of a broader push to widen access to education, and it laid the foundation for many of the federal student aid programs that students still rely on today.
The act has helped millions of first-generation students complete their degrees. Each year around the anniversary, colleges and universities across the country hold events to recognize first-generation students, faculty, staff and alumni.
South Alabama joins those institutions in the annual celebration, and its Nov. 4 event took place a few days ahead of the anniversary.
About the University of South Alabama
The University of South Alabama, founded in 1963, is a public research university in Mobile. Its students and athletic teams are known as the Jaguars. The university’s mission extends beyond the classroom through its Office of Community Engagement, which organized the first-generation celebration, and through USA Health, its academic health system.
The College of Arts and Sciences, where Douglas studied and now teaches, houses a wide range of departments in the humanities, social sciences and natural sciences, including history and political science.
Support for First-Generation Students
For first-generation students, events like the annual luncheon do more than hand out recognition. They help students meet peers with similar experiences, connect with faculty and staff who understand their path, and see that their achievements are valued by the wider campus community.
Douglas’ message to remain connected and to honor the collective effort behind each success echoed that goal. Students who are the first in their families to attend college and want to learn more about campus resources can contact the University of South Alabama Office of Community Engagement.
