GREENVILLE, Pa.—Thiel College biology major Malajah Johnson ’23 is writing about her experience as the first person in her family to attend college for a website dedicated to supporting first-gen college students.
Johnson’s blog posts appear on I’m First!, which Thiel College has partnered with to support and promote first-generation college students. Johnson, of Pittsburgh, is a 2019 graduate of Imani Christian Academy.
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In late 2021, Thiel College joined other colleges, universities, corporations, non-profits, and K-12 schools in celebrating the success of first-generation college students, faculty, staff, and alumni. In 2017, the Council for Opportunity in Education and the Center for First-generation Student Success launched the inaugural First-Generation College Celebration! Given the continued success of this event, COE and the Center now partner to make this celebration an annual event.
I’m First was created by nonprofit Center for Student Opportunity in 2013 to provide students who lack a family history of higher education with inspiration, information, and support on the road to and through college and is now an initiative of Strive for College—a national nonprofit that also runs a national online mentoring program for college-bound students.
About Thiel College
Thiel College is an independent college founded in the Lutheran tradition. Located in Greenville, Pa., the College offers 60 majors and minors, 24 varsity sports, and an 11:1 student-faculty ratio. The College is also home to a new Master of Science in speech-language pathology and 2Master of Business Administration. Both master’s degree programs offer innovative and accelerated five-year paths which allow students to earn a bachelor’s and master’s degree in five years. The speech-language pathology program also has an accelerated 15-month graduate-level program. The M.B.A. program also has a 12-month post-graduate program.A dedicated faculty paired with dynamic research and internship opportunities produce numerous graduate school and job placements. Coeducational from its beginnings, the College remains committed to combining tradition with innovation as it celebrates 150 years.