The campus community came together Wednesday to recognize the achievements of first-generation Lopers.
Students, staff and faculty gathered in the Nebraskan Student Union for food, fun and camaraderie during the First-Gen Festival. The annual event celebrates first-gen success at UNK – where roughly 4 in 10 students proudly claim this distinction – while highlighting the people and programs that help these Lopers achieve their goals.
Sponsored by UNK Student Engagement and Leadership, Campus Recreation, Sodexo and the First-Gen Lopers student organization, the festival coincides with the National First-Generation College Celebration and the Nov. 8 anniversary of the Higher Education Act of 1965.
Several awards are also presented during the event:
First-Gen Trailblazer Award
Sayuli Lopez received the First-Gen Trailblazer Award presented to an outstanding first-gen student.
A member of the Thompson Scholars Learning Community, Lopez’s dedication, leadership and vision have made a lasting impact on campus.
She helped create and later revitalized United in Dance, a student organization that promotes and celebrates the diverse traditions of dance and culture on campus.
“Through her perseverance, creativity and ability to inspire others, she has ensured the group continues to bring heritage and culture to life through dance – serving both the campus and the broader community. As president and dance coordinator, she balances these leadership roles alongside her coursework, research and other commitments with remarkable discipline and grace. Her leadership is defined not only by her accomplishments but by her ability to uplift others, foster belonging and encourage collaboration, creating spaces where students can connect and thrive,” her nomination read.
Lopez also served as a campus tour guide, and she currently works in the Student Engagement and Leadership office.
Friend of First-Gen Award
The Friend of First-Gen Award recognizes faculty and staff who go above and beyond to support first-gen students. This year’s honorees are Kyle Means and Aaron Estes.
A first-generation college graduate, Means helped develop programs and initiatives that celebrate and support first-gen students while serving as co-chair of UNK’s First Generation Leadership Team, including the First-Gen Festival. He’s also served as a mentor in the Loper 2 Loper program for first-year students and taught classes as an adjunct instructor.
As director of marketing, he leads UNK’s marketing, advertising and branding strategies and oversees a portion of the operations in creative services, print and video production and enrollment communications.
“Beyond his professional excellence, he has been a true champion for first-generation students through his work. He has elevated the voices of first-gen students, built a sense of belonging and strengthened our Loper community – a true friend of first-gen,” his nomination stated.
Estes also served as co-chair of the First Generation Leadership Team, often saying, “We know that two barriers to student success and graduation can be finding the necessary academic support and building connections on campus.”
As senior director of the Loper Success Hub, he helped create a space where students can find resources, feel supported and build lasting connections.
“His dedication to first-generation and underrepresented students shows in everything he does. He has worked to weave programs and services together so our first-gen students experience a seamless network of support. Most importantly, he leads with compassion, always focused on helping students navigate college and find their place here at UNK,” his nomination read.
Distinguished First-Gen Alumni Award
A new honor this year, the Distinguished First-Gen Alumni Award recognizes a first-gen UNK graduate who has demonstrated exceptional professional achievement, leadership and service.
The inaugural honoree, Juan Carlos Guzman, earned his bachelor’s degree and two master’s degrees from UNK, where he was a founding member of the Hispanic Student Association and Sigma Lambda Beta multicultural fraternity. He helped start the Nebraska Cultural Unity Conference, which promotes leadership, higher education and professional development opportunities for high school and community college students.
Guzman has held numerous positions at his alma mater, including assistant director for the Enhancing Access to Higher Education program, director of the Office of Multicultural Affairs and director of community outreach and partnerships.
“As a first-generation college graduate, he brings authentic understanding and empathy to his work. He knows firsthand the challenges many of our students face – from language barriers and financial obstacles to navigating the unknowns of college life. And that personal experience has fueled his passion for helping others succeed,” his nomination stated.
“What makes him most deserving of this recognition is not just the programs he’s built or the numbers he’s improved – it’s the people he’s inspired. He has become a role model for countless first-generation students, showing them that their dreams are achievable, their voices matter and their stories have power.”
Learn more about first-gen initiatives at UNK
PHOTOS BY ERIKA PRITCHARD, UNK COMMUNICATIONS
