MORRISVILLE, NY — For SUNY Morrisville students, being a first-generation college student is about more than earning a degree. It also represents pride in their accomplishments and the opportunity to open doors for those who follow.
“It gives me a sense of pride being the first one,” said Isaiah Hooper, an applied psychology major from the Bronx, who described going to college as taking a big leap.
For nursing student Chloe Wilde, of Cayuga, being a first-generation student means setting an example for her family.
“It means setting an example and paving the way for my siblings and reaching as far as I can for myself,” she said.
Wilde chose Morrisville after visiting campus and liking its facilities. The opportunity to play on the soccer and lacrosse teams also helped make her decision.
Kayanna Partridge, an individual studies student transferring into applied psychology, has her sights on becoming a forensic psychologist and eventually attending law school.
“It means an accomplishment. I like being able to complete something no one else in my family has done,” she said. Partridge chose Morrisville for its proximity to home and small class sizes.
The students shared their perspectives during SUNY Morrisville’s First-Generation Celebration in STUAC, sponsored by Student Affairs. The event featured hands-on activities, including making suncatchers and friendship bracelets and painting coasters and pint glasses.
Sarah Piejko-Brown, the college’s student care and case coordinator, said raising awareness is an important step in supporting first-generation students.
“A lot of students don’t know if they are first-generation students,” she said. “Increasing awareness of what it means will help us build a stronger first-generation program.”
SUNY Morrisville was named to the FirstGen Forward Network for 2025-26, earning national recognition for its commitment to helping first-generation college students thrive.
