First Generation Connections
Welcome to the First Generation Connections program! Our goal is to ensure that all students, including first-generation, receive the tools they need to be successful at Â鶹AV. Being first-gen at LU means your parents or guardians did not complete a four-year college or university degree in the United States.
Research shows that the barriers to success for first-generation students are not just academic. Social, emotional, and physical barriers can be just as impactful. We invite the Â鶹AV campus community to join us as we build a network for first-generation students to thrive and grow.
Fall 2025 Events
First Gen Info Tables
Sept. 16, Oct. 21, & Nov. 11
First Gen Meet-Ups
Homecoming Tailgate
Friendsgiving
Live Oak Ballroom
First Generation Student of the Month
September 2025
Drake Rothenberger
Environmental Science
Senior, Nederland
I remember staying after school for multiple hours while my teachers would help me with my college applications and essays. I remember when a teacher I didn't even have took time off work to take me to a scholarship interview. I remember my professors who gave me grace and understanding when I didn't know how something worked. To me, being first-gen means remembering not what I didn't have, but instead focusing on the support I was given by those who wanted to see me succeed. Thanks to my community, I'm now on a full ride scholarship with plans to pursue a PhD and JD after undergrad.
Advisory Council
Dr. Wilma R. Jackson, Co-Chair
Director, Strategic Initiatives
Andre Favors, Co-Chair
Instructor, Communication and Media
Dr. Gabriel Crosby
Assistant Vice President, Student Success
Pamela Comer
Director, McNair Scholars Program
Aaron Hanlin
Associate Director of Recruitment, Office of Admissions
Anh Phan
Assistant Director, Study Abroad and Student Exchange
Dr. Ashley Dockens
Assistant Provost, Academic Innovation and Quality Assurance
Associate Dean, Policy and Procedure, College of Graduate Studies
Amy Jones
Coordinator, Center for Teaching and Learning Enhancement
Celine Do
LU Alumni, HR Coordinator, Provost Umphrey Law Firm
Zelda Glenmore
Assistant Director, Housing and Residence Life
Arthur Gilmore Jr.
Senior Academic Advisor, Â鶹AV Football
Ben Kern
Director, Recreation and Wellness
Dr. Janeal White
Internship Coordinator and Assistant Professor, Family Science
Kierra Bridgewater
Licensed Professional Counselor, Student Health Center
Shaqueta Lewis
Manager of Workforce Programs, Â鶹AV Institute of Technology
Dr. Maegan Collins
Chair, LIT General Education and Developmental Studies
Adjunct Faculty, Â鶹AV
Contact Us
Dr. Wilma R. Jackson
Director of Strategic Initiatives
Email: wjackson10@lamar.edu
Phone/Fax/Email:
Phone: (409) 880-7169
Fax: (409) 880-7131
Email: sicr@lamar.edu
Office Hours & Location:
Mon-Fri: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Closed 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
912 West Virginia
Beaumont, Texas 77705
Mailing Address
PO Box 10308
Beaumont, Texas 77710
Physical Address:
912 West Virginia
Beaumont, Texas 77705
