The Keene State Wellness Center is sponsoring a new support group for first-generation college students.
The First Generation Support Group is led by staff from The Wellness Center. The counselors in charge of the group are Antioch University intern Lora Traffie and social worker at Keene State Jennifer Seher.
Traffie was unavailable for an interview.
Seher commented on how navigating college as a first-generation college student can be difficult, but talking to different students who share similar experiences allows support and a safe space for those facing challenges that can be hard to speak about.
Seher said she will create a safe and inclusive space by having “ethics criteria that we are required to uphold in order to do these roles … It’s the ethics that accompany our work that involves confidentiality and creating a safe space.”
Seher continued, “The door will be closed and there will be a sound machine on, whatever is stated in the room will be kept in the room … Everyone who comes in the group will sign a confidentiality agreement with the wellness center, which is our standard practice.”
Seher spoke on how she was inspired to create a group for first-generation college students because she worked with a couple of students two years ago who were in individual counseling and it was striking to her how lost they were between worlds.
Seher explained about why the group was created, “The hope to do this came up for me a year or so ago because I had students whose families couldn’t relate to how hard it was for them to work to pay for tuition and go to school and try to be involved in college life, and at the same time they felt like their peers on campus seemed to know all the ins and outs of going to college.”
Seher added students often had questions about managing financial aid, group living and other challenges that come with college life and could feel lonely and overwhelmed as a result.
Seher said she “hopes people feel safe coming to the group whether they have something they need to share or talk about. I hope it feels like a safe space to be with people.”
Seher said the goal is for trust to grow between members of the support group over time. Hearing input from other students may contribute to group members feeling more heard when it comes to their college experience.
The group began February 10 and will continue to meet on Mondays at 4:15 p.m. at the KSC Wellness Center in the Elliot Center on the third floor. To sign up contact The Wellness Center at 603-358-2200 or email KSC-wellnesscenter@keene.edu.
Tamy Jacques can be contacted at
tjacques@kscequinox.com
