College wasn’t a top priority when it came to life experience for Dara Little, Assistant Vice President for Research, who spoke to a small group of students Wednesday at NIU’s inaugural first-generation college students welcome event held at the Founders Memorial Library.

At this two-day welcome event, first-generation college students had the opportunity to speak with various faculty members at their booths about resources intended to assist students on their college journey. Some of the resources included the University Writing Center, ACCESS Tutoring and Support Services.

“The most important thing I got out of this event was the information about FAFSA and scholarships,” first year student Jesus Flores said.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid provides provides students with funds that don’t have to be paid back, making it different from loans which often put students in debt. This often plays a role in the experiences of first-generation students, easing some of the financial burden.

“The focus of this welcome event is to bring students together and connect them to each other as well as to resources,” Jeffrey Salmon, Assistant Director of Military and Post Traditional Student Services, said

Along with the opportunity to visit the various booths, students also had the chance to speak with a few first-generation faculty and were able to hear their stories about their own limitations, including Little.

“I never thought that someday I would be working for the University,” Little said.

Little said she can relate to the students because of her own experiences being the first of her family to go to a university. She said it is important for students to know where to find support and to feel that they can do so with ease.

The event, which Salmon said hopes to return each year, had support from many NIU official.

“We had great support from President Freeman,” Salmon said. “It was something she felt very supportive of.”

According to Salmon, this event had been in the works since April and will hopefully continue to run for the years to come.

Students looking for more information on available resources can visit NIU’s First-Generation College Students webpage.