Greenfield Community College Celebrates First-Generation College Students

GREENFIELD — Greenfield Community College (GCC) is hosting its fifth annual celebration of first-generation college students with a slate of activities this week, Nov. 10-14.

More than half of all GCC students are first-generation, meaning their parents did not earn a bachelor’s degree, or they self-identify as the first in their immediate family to attend college.

National studies show that completing a college degree remains a powerful driver of economic mobility. Workers with a bachelor’s degree earned about 61% more annually in 2023 than those with only a high-school diploma. Graduates from historically underrepresented or first-generation backgrounds who complete their degrees see stronger long-term gains — such as higher lifelong earnings and lower poverty rates — than peers with similar early-life disadvantages who stop short of a credential.

While Nov. 8 is national First-Generation College Celebration Day, GCC extends the recognition throughout the week with campus-wide activities, food, and community displays honoring the achievements of first-generation students. Faculty and staff who were the first in their families to attend college will also be featured in mini-profiles across campus to highlight shared experiences and foster connection.

GCC student Rebecca Durand shared what being first-generation means to her. “It’s difficult to put into words what it truly means to be the first in my family to go to college and earn a degree. Through four generations, I am the only one who will be graduating from college, and that fills me with immense pride and gratitude. Although I’m doing this in my 50s, it’s never too late to chase your dreams. This journey represents not only my personal determination, but also the hopes and sacrifices of the generations before me who didn’t have the same opportunity. Being a first-generation student means breaking barriers, setting an example, and proving that education has no age limit.”

GCC President Michelle Schutt added that “being a first-generation college student means stepping into unfamiliar territory and carrying your family’s hopes with you. When I first arrived on a college campus, I didn’t always know where to turn or what to expect, but I learned that resilience and curiosity can open every door. I see myself in our students who are the first in their families to pursue higher education, and I want them to know they belong here. Being first-generation isn’t just about being the first; it’s about ensuring you’re not the last. It’s about transforming opportunity into legacy.”