Larra Fouch was navigating uncharted territory: figuring out how to start college and how to thrive once she got there.
That was all while raising her daughter as a solo parent.
“Being a first-generation student has meant building something entirely from the ground up,” said Fouch, who will graduate in December with a bachelor’s degree in physics and a minor in astronomy.
For Fouch and her daughter, being first-generation represents both struggle and strength.
“Earning my degree means opportunity, stability and the chance to show my daughter that success is possible no matter where you start or what you have been through,” she said.
Her story – and stories like it – are exactly why East Tennessee State University will celebrate National First-Generation College Student Day on Thursday, November 6, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in University Commons.
What support does ETSU provide for first-generation students?
The event brings together colleges, academic departments and student service units for activities honoring the approximately 30% of ETSU undergraduates who are blazing trails as the first in their families to pursue four-year degrees.
But the celebration represents something deeper.
It’s a recognition of the comprehensive support systems ETSU has built to help first-generation students succeed.
Fouch experienced that support firsthand.
Programs like Bucky’s Food Pantry and Bucky’s Closet helped her provide for herself and her daughter while focusing on studies. As a Ronald E. McNair Scholar, she received invaluable research opportunities and mentorship.
“Otherwise,” she said, “I would not have had the opportunities I have been given.”
How do TRIO programs help first-generation students at ETSU?
For Franklin Acosta, a senior clarinet performance major, ETSU’s support began before he even arrived on campus.
“I was really supported by the Upward Bound program,” Acosta said. “It paved the path for me to come here.”
Now a Ronald E. McNair Scholar himself, Acosta appreciates how ETSU’s Department of Music has enabled him to conduct research as an undergraduate.
The McNair program, part of TRIO’s suite of services, provides research experience, graduate school preparation and mentorship to students from underrepresented backgrounds.
Both Acosta and Fouch were also part of TRIO-Student Support Services, a federally funding program that offers free tutoring and other forms of academic support.
Why ETSU was selected for FirstGen Forward
ETSU’s commitment to first-generation students recently earned national recognition when the university was selected as one of just 60 institutions nationwide to join the prestigious FirstGen Forward Network for 2025-26.
The competitive designation came on the heels of ETSU’s launch of the Mary V. Jordan Center, a comprehensive support hub that serves all students, with programming specifically tailored to first-generation students.
For Fouch, ETSU exceeded expectations in ways she could have never imagined.
“Experiencing this level of support not only helped me thrive as an undergraduate but also set a standard for what I hope to find in future graduate programs: a community that invests in its students and empowers them to succeed,” she said.
When is ETSU’s First-Generation Celebration?
National First-Generation College Student Day at ETSU celebrates students like Fouch and Acosta, and the comprehensive support systems that help them thrive.
“We invite the entire ETSU community to come celebrate our first-generation students and learn about the resources available to support their success,” said Dr. Chris Strode, associate director of TRIO Student Support Services. “This is a day to recognize the incredible strength and determination these students bring to our campus.”
The Nov. 6 celebration will feature activities, resources and opportunities to learn more about how ETSU supports first-generation students from application through graduation.
For more information about ETSU’s support for first-generation students, visit etsu.edu/jordan or etsu.edu/trio.
