#AdvocateFirstGen by Identifying First-gen Policymakers

Cultivating personal connections with policymakers is the foundation of effective advocacy. Because they have limited time and resources, policymakers tend to prioritize causes to which they have a personal interest. Those who relate to an issue—whether through their own experiences or those of their constituents—are more likely to address it.

This is why those who #AdvocateFirstGen must identify policymakers who are first-gen graduates. Policymakers who understand the first-gen experience are more likely to champion initiatives that address systemic barriers to this population’s success. They have a deep understanding of our students’ strengths and challenges—even if they aren’t familiar with the term “first-gen” —and may be more receptive to conversations about the direct impact of federal policies on first-gen success.

With over eight thousand elected policymakers in the United States, we need you to help us #AdvocateFirstGen by telling us whether your state legislators, members of Congress, and governors are first-gen graduates here.

Add Your First-gen Elected Representatives to Our Directory

Why Identifying First-gen Policymakers Matters

By identifying first-gen policymakers, we can amplify our students’ voices and promote policies that support their success.

Our representatives play a critical role in shaping education policy, from setting the maximum Federal Pell Grant to prohibiting scholarship displacement. They also determine who first-gen students are by setting the federal first-gen definition. Most importantly, they help us learn about this population by funding national surveys like the Baccalaureate and Beyond Longitudinal Study, the Beginning Postsecondary Students Longitudinal Study, and the National Postsecondary Student Aid Study.

In short, identifying these policymakers allows us to mobilize allies in Congress, state legislatures, and governor’s offices to promote first-gen-focused initiatives.

How You Can Help Us #AdvocateFirstGen

Do you know whether your state or federal representatives share the first-gen identity? Follow the steps below to help us update our database of first-gen policymakers.

1. Identify your elected officials

Type your address into this resource to find the names of your members of Congress, state legislators, and governor.

2. Research your elected officials for information on their parents’ educations

Sometimes, officials include information about their first-gen status in biographies on their official websites. However, identifying first-gen policymakers often requires digging deeper than their public profiles. Other reliable sources of information include speeches, news articles, or personal meetings with the official. Consider asking your government relations team to help with this research, as they know where to find this information or may already know your officials' first-gen statuses!

3. Share your findings by completing this brief Asana form

This form allows you to share information about your representative, including whether or not they are a first-gen graduate and the source of that information. Please complete the form for representatives who you know are NOT first-gen, as this allows us to focus our research on those whose statuses we do not yet know.

This information will empower us to approach our advocacy efforts more strategically. Knowing which officials have personal knowledge of the first-gen journey allows for more meaningful conversations, connections, and collaboration on initiatives that make a difference.

What’s Next for FirstGen Forward

Once we know who our allies are, we’ll begin equipping them with data and stories. As practitioners, you play a critical role in this process. Continue collecting data on your first-gen students and sharing stories about how government initiatives have transformed first-gen students’ lives on your campus. This information is essential if we are to continue moving #FirstGenForward in the years to come.

First-generation students deserve champions who understand their journeys. By identifying first-gen policymakers, we strengthen our collective ability to advocate for policies that foster opportunity and strengthen our communities.