SUNY Geneseo’s chapter of Alpha Alpha Alpha holds its first induction ceremony
Providing first-generation students with a supportive community
Photo courtesy of Mat Johnson
Tri-Alpha provides first-generation students with a supportive community.
Recently, The Lamron had the opportunity to sit down with Margaret Foster, the advisor for SUNY Geneseo’s chapter of Alpha Alpha Alpha (Tri-Alpha) Honor Society. Alongside being the advisor for Tri-Alpha, she is the operations and technology director for Enrollment Management and works to support first-generation students.
Tri-Alpha Honor Society “recognizes the academic excellence of first-generation college students. We provide a national community of support, mentorship, and distinction for those who are the first in their families to pave the way,” according to their website. The society was founded in 2018, and many colleges have since adopted Tri-Alpha.
Bringing Tri-Alpha to SUNY Geneseo took Ms. Foster about two years of hard work. She said that Mary C. Toale, Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs, inspired her to bring Tri-Alpha to SUNY Geneseo. Dr. Toale is a first-generation college student herself, and gave an emotional speech at Tri-Alpha’s first induction ceremony. Alongside Dr. Toale assisting in Tri-Alpha’s creation, Lisa Bishop, a senior staff assistant for Enrollment Management, also helped bring Tri-Alpha to life.
Ms. Foster spoke about how challenging it was to put together Tri-Alpha and the induction ceremony. Since the induction had yet to happen, there were no student leaders able to assist her during the induction or help her prepare for it. Now that new members have been inducted, a student e-board has been voted on and put together: Brooke Klugewicz as President, Lillian Szymkowiak as Vice President, Jasmin Montano-Luna as Treasurer, and Faith Manchester as Secretary/Historian. Alongside these students, Ms. Foster hopes to expand the e-board and have them help lead future induction ceremonies.
Starting in the fall, there will be a peer mentoring program meant to help provide support to freshmen first-generation students. This program is meant to help students adjust to the new environment, while also providing advice tailored to first-generation students’ needs. Ms. Foster and Lisa Bishop have hired around 10 peer mentors, and each peer mentor will be assigned a few students to support.
At the induction on Apr. 17, 56 students were welcomed into SUNY Geneseo’s first chapter of Alpha Alpha Alpha. The ceremony was held in the Doty Recital Hall and started at 4:30 p.m. The ceremony included inspiring speeches, personal stories, and a sense of community among the inductees and guests in attendance.
Ms. Foster explained that this process has been so meaningful to her because she can relate to every first-generation student, and she is honored to now be in a position where she can provide support. She mentioned how “she didn't even know what first-gen was” when she came to college, which is the experience that most first-generation college students share.
Additionally, there is a lack of representation when it comes to first-generation college students. An abundance of students feel embarrassed by the label, or do not think that it is a big deal, when in reality it is something to feel proud of. There are a plethora of factors that impact first-generation students, including generational cycles and feeling as if they do not belong. Ms. Foster wants to change this experience by creating a positive community where students can come together and support one another. She spoke on her desire for students to be proud of themselves by saying, “I want them to understand that they're special. It's not a deficit, but something that they can use to their benefit…it’s not a bad thing [to be a first-generation college student].”
Even if you are not a member of Tri-Alpha or a first-generation student, Ms. Foster works with her team to set up many events for students to attend. These events include professional development classes and activities where students can hang out with their friends. There is a place for everyone within this community, and it will only continue to grow.