First Generation Student Organization
The First Generation Student Organization, or FGSO, is the first of its kind in the nation and very few colleges have followed in creating such organizations to empower and retain their first generation students. The term first generation applies to any student who neither of his/her parents have graduated from a four-year university or college. FGSO targets the issues specific to first-generation students and offers an informational and support group to these students.
The idea for a FGSO at Texas State was first conceived in 1999 by Dr. Israel Najera, a Supervising Counselor at the Texas State Counseling Center and FGSO Advisor. FGSO, as an organization was founded in 2000. Since its inception, FGSO has grown and expanded to include over 75 active members and offers several events and activites throughout the academic year. There are no dues to become a member of this organization. Current supporters of FGSO are Multicultural Student Affairs, the Multicultural Programs Committee (MPC), the Office of the Provost, the Texas State Parents Association, and SOAR (Seeking Opportunities, Achieving Results) of San Marcos.
Along with mentoring, fellowship, guidance, and academic and social support offered, FGSO also gives its members the opportunity to take on leadership positions. Through civic engagement within the San Marcos community, the group works to put together panel discussions and workshops with San Marcos high school students. The purpose of these panels is to encourage students to reach their goals in higher education and show them that success can come--and they hear it from those who have been there and can show the way.
"This is a rare and excellent opportunity for Texas State first-generation students to step forward, take a leadership position, and show the way to those who will certainly follow."