First-Generation Host Family Program

Purpose

The First-Generation Host Family Program matches students with local “host families” who help the students adjust to their new lives as college freshmen. While the new life changes are exciting for students, they can also be overwhelming. The host families’ support helps students make a smooth transition into campus life at ASU.

Goals

• Provide students with new experiences that they may otherwise miss due to lack of transportation or lack of knowledge about San Angelo.
• Create interaction between the students and their host families on special occasions and in everyday activities (i.e. lunch, dinner, shopping, birthdays, etc.) at least once a month during each semester.
• Increase participants’ cultural awareness through involvement in campus and community activities.

Participants

Students

• First-generation students (neither parent graduated from a two- or four-year college or university)
• First-semester freshman
• Enrolled full-time at ASU

Families

• Local “families” (married or single)

Activities

Individual Meeting	Families meet students when they arrive at ASU or shortly after arrival.
Meet-and-Greet Reception	Students and families meet for an informal gathering to network with other first-generation students and their families.
Midterm Mixer	Participants meet for a potluck dinner to share their experiences in the program.
Stay-cation Barbecue	Participants gather to celebrate the end of the semester, to cement the relationships developed through their experiences and to evaluate the program.
Monthly E-mails	Participants receive monthly e-mails with a list of ASU and San Angelo community activities that students and families can attend.