I Am First Too

About

I Am First Too celebrates the success of first-generation students, faculty, staff, and alumni at the University of Kansas. We aim to build a network and a sense of pride among students, faculty, staff, and alumni who identify as first-generation college students.
I Am First Too Logo

What is a first-generation college student?

Being a first-generation college student means that none of your parents or guardians received a bachelor’s degree.
A large group of studnets, faculty, and staff wearing red to symbolize being first-generation

Annual Poster

One of the initiatives is the honoring of individuals who have excelled as role models, trailblazers, and advocates of first-generation student success. These individuals will be featured annually on a commemorative poster published by the TRIO SES & STEM office.

Nominate A Jayhawk

2024 Poster

The twelve individuals featured on the fourth annual poster include: Sonali Bhakta, Provost Barbara Bichelmeyer, Michael Chavez, M.S.Ed., Sara Chavez, M.Ed./M.A., Hong Chuong, M.S.E., David Coria, B.S., Paige M. Freeman, M.S.E., Alejandra Hernández-Castro, M.S., Ella Hinson, B.S.W., Laura Malagon-Palacios, B.A., Laura Ramirez, M.S.W., and Kelly Kaye Young M.S.W.
2024 I Am First Too commemorative poster honoring twelve individuals at KU who have excelled as role models, trailblazers and advocates for first-generation student success. Honorees include students, faculty, staff and alumni. Poster features photos and names of all honorees

2023 Poster

The twelve individuals featured on the fourth annual poster include:
Anna Balmilero, Jacob Chamberlin, Deanna Hanson-Abromeit, Nikita Haynie, Erin Kelley-Garrison, Kylie Kookesh, Angel Martin Meza-González, Michael Oliver, Irene Olivares, Anna Pope, Dawn Tallchief, and Ladazhia Taylor.
2023 I Am First Too commemorative poster honoring twelve individuals at KU who have excelled as role models, trailblazers and advocates for first-generation student success. Honorees include students, faculty, staff and alumni. Poster features photos and names of all honorees on a royalblue background with yellow, red, and white text.

2022 Poster

The twelve individuals featured on the fourth annual poster include:
Madison Ehlert-Robinson, Rick Ginsberg, Lori Hasselman, Megan Londeen, LilliAnna Lucio, Marissa Marchall, Kathy Martinez Reynaga, Reginald L. Mitchell, Derek Reed, Kristin M. Rennells, Margo Stokebrand, and Michael Vitevitch.
2022 I Am First Too commemorative poster honoring twelve individuals at KU who have excelled as role models, trailblazers and advocates for first-generation student success. Honorees include students, faculty, staff and alumni. Poster features photos and names of all honorees on a dark-blue background with yellow, red, and white text.

2021 Poster

The twelve individuals featured on the third annual poster include:
​Dalton Allen, Myltin Bighorn, Jordan A. Brandt, Amy Burgin, Meghan Ecker-Lyster, Wichahpi King, Neal Kingston, Melody K. Lawrence, Charlesia McKinney, Kim Nguyễn, Melissa Peterson, and Ngan Tran.
2021 I Am First Too commemorative poster honoring twelve individuals at KU who have excelled as role models, trailblazers and advocates for first-generation student success. Honorees include students, faculty, staff and alumni. Poster features photos and names of all honorees on a sandy colored background with red and blue text.

2020 Poster

The twelve individuals featured on the second annual poster include:
L.Marie Avila, LaTisha Davis, Greg Hamel, Jirick Hunter, Steven Johnson, Mulubrhan Lemma, Ludwin Molina, Angie Pastorek, Mensi Patel, Precious Porras, Diana L. Restrepo-Osorio, and Kasi Ross II
2020 I Am First Too commemorative poster honoring twelve individuals at KU who have excelled as role models, trailblazers and advocates for first-generation student success. Honorees include students, faculty, staff and alumni. Poster features photos and names of all honorees on a light-blue background with red and dark blue text.

2019 Poster

The twelve individuals featured on the first annual poster include:
Sarah Bregman, LaDarius Brooks, Constanza Castro Zúñiga, Hume Feldman, Howard Grahm, Jennifer Hamer, Ngondi Kamatuka, Genaro Méndez, Nancy Varela, Tonya Waller, Jennifer Wilmot, and Michelle Wilson
2019 I Am First Too commemorative poster honoring twelve individuals at KU who have excelled as role models, trailblazers and advocates for first-generation student success. Honorees include students, faculty, staff and alumni. Poster features photos and names of all honorees on a dark-blue background with red and white text.