The Tell Me Your Story Campaign represents the ethos of First-at-LAS by honoring the first-gen identity and experience. The campaign, comprised of digital and print media, encourages students to embrace their stories with pride and share them with faculty and staff to facilitate meaningful communication and connection.

While they may be one of the first in their families to attend college, first-gen students are not alone. The LAS community of faculty and staff is committed to their academic, professional, and personal success and supporting their college journey from the time of enrollment until the day they walk across the stage, diplomas in hand.

When students tell their stories, it opens pathways to guidance, advice, knowledge, and resources. These connections enable students to build a strong college network that wraps around them to create a web of mentors and provide endless opportunities.

As this web grows, it ensures that students have transformative experiences and get the absolute most out of their undergraduate years. For college students, connections are the keys to success… and they begin by embracing and telling one’s story.

The Tell Me Your Story Campaign utilizes multiple platforms to encourage communication and connection:

• Posters and Prompt Cards: The poster, featured here on the website, can be displayed in offices or departments as visible reminders for students to share their stories. Along with the poster, we also offer prompt cards that highlight questions faculty and staff may ask students to initiate conversations.
• Essay Contest: Each spring, LAS invites first-gen students to share their stories and higher education journeys. After a review process, finalists are selected, invited to a celebration, and awarded prizes.
• Videos: First-at-LAS is creating a library of videos featuring faculty, staff, and students to showcase first-gen stories and supports available in LAS that promote academic and professional success.

Read students’ stories from the essay contest, view finalists, and watch videos by selecting the appropriate links below.