Royal Oak, MI – In recognition of National First-Generation College Celebration Day, November 8, Baker College is extending the observance into a weeklong celebration of the resilience, achievements and experiences of first-generation students. More than 49% of Baker students identify as first-generation, reflecting the importance of creating an environment where students can find their place, build confidence and pursue their educational and career goals. Through student-led organizations, scholarships, mentorship, campus events and academic recognition, Baker works to ensure students have the resources and connections they need to succeed.
“Our goal is to help first-generation students recognize that they belong in higher education and have a community behind them as they work toward their goals,” said Dr. Iris Lane, director of Student Services, First Generation Student Success. “Their achievements represent more than individual success. They create new opportunities for their families, strengthen their communities and help shape what future generations believe is possible.”
For Daniel Grant, a student in Baker’s Food and Beverage Management program and a member of both the Culinary Institute of Michigan’s American Culinary Federation student organization and the 1st Gen Bees, being a first-generation college student is closely tied to his family’s experience.
“After watching my parents work with the little they had to ensure I was able to have the college experience they never received sparked something in me. I knew I had to take advantage of the opportunity I was given and make the most of it.” Grant said.
Grant is preparing to graduate from his second Baker program in May 2027. For him, the experience is a reminder that his future is his to shape.
“Being a first-generation student isn’t just a title. It’s a reminder that my future is what I decide to make it,” Grant said.
For Early Childhood Education student Makaylee Schill-Bullard, being first-generation has meant discovering opportunities to grow as both a student and a leader. Through Baker, she has helped establish and lead student organizations, including the Baker College Book Club and the Honeycomb Project.
“Being first-generation makes me proud because I am not simply following a path that someone else has already walked. I am creating my own, and Baker has given me a place where I have been able to discover just how far that path can take me,” Schill-Bullard said.
She credits relationships with classmates, professors, program directors and other members of the Baker community with helping her grow academically and personally. Those connections have helped Baker feel like home, even while she is studying far from where she grew up.
First-generation success also extends beyond the undergraduate experience. Mavala Sanchez, who returned to school to earn an associate degree and continued her education into Baker’s Master of Business Administration program, sees her journey as a way to build a lasting legacy for her family. Sanchez is also involved in the Tri-Alpha Honor Society and the 1st Gen Bees.
“What started as a decision to return to school to obtain my associate degree became a journey that opened doors I never imagined,” Sanchez said. “Along the way, I worked hard, received support, became involved in organizations, and realized that I was not only earning a degree, but creating a legacy for myself and my family and setting the bar higher.”
Baker’s first-generation initiatives provide opportunities for students to connect with peers, share experiences, and access resources throughout their college journeys. These efforts include:
- First-Gen Pride: The I’m Proud to Be First campaign gives students a platform to share their experiences and celebrate their identities.
- First-Gen Scholarships: Financial assistance helps eligible first-generation students pursue their education.
- 1st Gen Bees: The student organization fosters connection, celebrates achievements and creates space for first-generation voices.
- From One First-Gen to Another: Current students and alumni share practical advice to help others navigate college life.
- First-Gen Steering Committee: The committee helps guide collegewide efforts to support first-generation student success.
This past spring, Baker also launched the Xi Tau Chapter of Alpha Alpha Alpha, a national honor society that recognizes the academic achievements of first-generation college students, alumni and staff. The chapter adds another opportunity to celebrate academic accomplishments and connect members who share the first-generation experience.
Baker was also named one of 60 new members of the FirstGen Forward Network during the 2025–26 academic year, joining a national initiative focused on advancing first-generation student success. At the time of that recognition, Baker was one of 12 Michigan institutions included in the network.
Baker’s First-Gen Celebration Week will bring students together through activities designed to recognize their achievements, encourage connection, and create space for sharing experiences. Through celebrations and ongoing student support initiatives, Baker College recognizes that first-generation students bring determination, new perspectives, and ambition to the college community. Their achievements reflect the possibilities they are creating for themselves, their families and those who will follow.
Baker College is an independent, private, non-profit institution that grants associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees on six campuses across Michigan and online. Founded in 1911, the institution’s mission is to provide an inclusive, innovative, and transformative educational experience, driven by a student-first philosophy. Learn more at Baker.edu and follow on X, Meta, and Instagram.
