This year marked the first time in the history of the Tommie Award where all three finalists were first generation college students and students of color.
Tommie Award finalists reflect on their time at St. Thomas
St. Thomas, Christo Rey lead study on first-generation students
Thirty percent of all undergraduate students in the U.S. are the first in their family to attend college, putting them at a higher risk of dropping out, taking classes part time and not finishing their education in four years.