Celebrating First Gen Students with Project Decode

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Harvey Mudd’s focus is to educate students broadly in STEM so they are ready to find connections between these fields but also with enough exposure to non-STEM fields so they can understand the real world context. We believe that STEM in a vacuum is worse than no STEM at all. Thus, we want our students to be prepared to ask questions about whether their work is ethical, necessary, culturally accessible, financially accessible, how it’s going to impact other fields or industries, and how it’s going to impact real people. 

HMC students not only have a passion for STEM, but also for the humanities, social sciences, and the arts; so let me give you a little history lesson. 

The Higher Education Act of 1965 was signed on November 8th. This act was intended to help level a playing field for Americans from minority and low-income backgrounds in search of attaining higher education. The HEA ushered in programs necessary for postsecondary access, retention, and completion for low-income, potential first-generation college graduates. Many colleges and universities use this date to celebrate first gen college students- thus making November 8th National First Generation College Celebration Day!

If you have been keeping up with the blogs, you might have heard me (or read my words) on navigating the college process as a first generation college student. Navigating this process and getting into college is only one part of what it means to be first gen. Once a first gen student arrives on campus, there are usually many more firsts! 

At HMC, Project Decode is a student-run organization dedicated to providing a safe space for first-generation and/or low-income college students to discuss issues relating to their identity, make friends, and develop as a professional and as a person. I chatted with Project Decode Co-President, Shanni Lam ‘22, about the importance of this space on campus. 

Why is this club needed? What is its significance? 

Project Decode aids conversations about breaking down socioeconomic barriers. For our members, it’s also about finding other people to relate to first gen and low-income identities. Finding this community is crucial to establishing a greater sense of belonging and understanding within the greater HMC community. We encourage candidness and decompressing by letting off steam. It’s a really great space. 

What are some of the events Project Decode holds?

We do workshops on healthcare, financial aid, identity, and  impostor syndrome. We also plan events to celebrate First-Gen Day, plan events for Money Matters Week, attend conferences and retreats, and hold general hangout sessions

Do you have any advice for prospective students? 

Really try t o figure out what you are passionate about in both  STEM and in the humanities. It is good to be open, but make sure that you are serious about exploring STEM in all sorts of areas.

Over the past several years, Harvey Mudd has strengthened programming, resources and support for both our first-gen and underrepresented students. In addition to Project Decode, we also have the HMC I’m A First Initiative which highlights first generation faculty and staff and offers programming as a way to connect students with staff, faculty, and alumni; First Gen Fridays, a workshop and networking  lunch series; Summer Institute, a program for incoming students underrepresented in the STEM fields. And various other identity based offerings run by our Office of Institutional Diversity that helps students connect and build community at Mudd. Harvey Mudd College recently received the First-gen Forward Designation, which is a national honor that recognizes institutions of higher education that have demonstrated a commitment to improving experiences and advancing outcomes of first generation college students.