Be First is a Living Learning Community (LLC) for first-year first-generation students in Cayuga Hall to build community and foster support.
“One of the primary reasons for the LLC was to create a built-in support network for students so that they can navigate the college experience together," said Celinet Duran, faculty mentor for Be First. "Starting college is going to be a challenge for most, but in particular for those without a reference to the experience.”
At SUNY Oswego, around 30 percent of students are first-generation students, without anybody in their own family to offer experience to help guide the journey.
“I am a first-generation student myself,” said Duran, a member of the criminal justice faculty. “My father immigrated to the U.S. with very little formal education and my mother did not have the opportunity to attend college. Working with other first-generation students is such an honor and a privilege, and I am so appreciative of the opportunity to help provide the kind of support and guidance I received throughout my academic journey.”
“My experience with Be First LLC has been great so far. It was a supportive environment focused on helping students succeed academically and personally,” said Sha-naya Tompkins, a current Be First member.
“Most classes I had for my first semester helped me transition into college life and motivated me to do well because of the professors,” Tompkins said. “Plus, it was great to connect with others in the LLC and share our experiences as we went through the class together. Having a network of people who were going through the same experiences made the college transition a lot smoother.”
Duran is highly active in her faculty mentor role. “I work with other departments across campus to help connect students with resources. It is important that they’re aware of everything (and everyone) available to them (i.e. Office of Learning Services, Accessibility Services, Financial Aid, Students Helping Oz Peers),” Duran said. “The LLC provides me with meal tickets that I can use to eat in the dining halls on campus. This gives me a chance to check in with students more casually, and see how things are going, if they have any questions about their classes.”
There currently is not an assigned course to the LLC, but Duran teaches a section of CRJ 101 “Introduction to the Criminal Justice System,” which also satisfies a General Education requirement and she encourages members to take it.
Efforts like the university's student-run First Generation Club and faculty and staff involvement in the FirstLEAP committee that supports first-gen students complement this residential offering.
Be First is one of three LLCs that seek to provide opportunities to connect, grow and thrive –- also including All In, which supports LGBTQ+ students and their allies, and Live Well, dedicated to providing an atmosphere supporting holistic wellness.
–- Written by Gianna Cowell of the Class of 2026