Orientation and New Student Programs offering monthly programs for first-generation students

Shamiah Woods remembers the pressures, doubts and fears she faced while preparing to embark on her freshman year at Oakland University. As a first-generation college student, the Detroit native wasn’t sure how to navigate her college journey, from picking a major, to managing her course load, to integrating work and social life. She also questioned how she would fund her education without taking on too much debt. 

Kay Jones, former OU senior recruitment advisor and college access coordinator, guided Woods through the landscape of scholarships, grants and loans. She attended the OU Center for Multicultural Initiatives’ CORE Summer Bridge Initiative and was paired with a CORE ambassador who helped her get acclimated to campus. In addition, Woods gained clarity regarding her academic path with assistance from OU’s First Year Advising Center.

“I started off as a business student, and after taking some classes, realized it wasn’t the right direction for me,” she said. “I talked to my adviser, and he helped me find alternative routes where I could still pursue a career in the business world. Once I started taking classes in the Human Resource Development program, I knew it was the right career path for me.”

Over the past two years, Woods has come into her own, excelling as a member of OU’s Honors College and taking on roles as a CORE ambassador, first year assistant, admissions ambassador and orientation group leader. She’s also received grants and scholarships, including OU’s prestigious Keeper of the Dream Award, which recognizes student leaders for breaking down cultural stereotypes and promoting interracial understanding. 

“The Keeper of the Dream Award meant a lot to me because I do a lot of things on campus to promote diversity, equity and inclusion,” said Woods. “It showed me that college is attainable as a first-generation student and that you can come in without having everything figured out. I also have two younger siblings, so it shows them they can succeed as first-generation students too.” 

To build on success stories like Woods, Orientation and New Student Programs is rolling out new programs geared toward first-generation students. Monthly events will highlight topics like financial aid and scholarships, a career check-in, studying for finals and transitioning to the next academic year.  

“This was a little brain spark a year ago when I went to my supervisor and said ‘we should really be targeting groups of students who need extra support,’” said Mae Dennis, assistant director of Orientation and New Student Programs. “So many departments throughout campus do first-generation initiatives, and I wanted to bring all of us to the same table and see how we could support our first-year, first-generation students.” 

According to Dennis, the programs are aimed at fostering a sense of community among first-generation students as they navigate what can sometimes feel like an isolating experience.

“I was a first-generation college student myself,” she shared. “When I first started, I felt ashamed that I didn’t know what I was supposed to do. I assumed I was the only one who didn’t know these things – but that wasn’t the case.”

Dennis added that this fall OU will welcome more than 1,200 first-generation freshman and transfer students to campus.  

“That’s over 1,200 students who can benefit from these programs,” she said. “We really want to get the word out and encourage students to utilize them.”

For more information, contact Orientation and New Student Programs at (248) 370-4653 or [email protected].