News & Blogs

Find the latest from the Center, learn new and innovative approaches from colleagues, and engage with current mainstream media conversations on first-generation student success. In addition to the filters below, please utilize the “search” bar in the top, right corner to search by keyword, author name, or publication title.

First-Generation College Celebration Main

Recapping the 2019 First-Generation College Celebration

Campuses across the country join the Center for First-generation Student Success and the Council for Opportunity in Education to #CelebrateFirstgen

The Center / June 04, 2020

The Suder Foundation Amplifies Investment in First-generation Student Success

NASPA is pleased to announce a multi-year partnership with The Suder Foundation to expand and scale First Scholars®, a strategic initiative designed to increase persistence and completion for first-generation students.

The Center / May 28, 2020

Reflections on “Failing” at the Academic Market

"Luck" is what happens when preparedness meets opportunity. According to Andrew Martinez, failure unexpectedly made him lucky.

Diverse Issues in Higher Education / May 26, 2020

They Got Into Law School

With the help of four first-gen students, a Yale professor will pilot a free pipeline program in the fall for New Haveners to launch legal careers.

New Haven Independent / May 20, 2020

MFOS lead the way across a virtual stage

UF acknolwedges the 176 MFOS Spring Graduates in a virtual graduation!

Leslie H. Pendleton Ph.D. / May 18, 2020

Rethinking college during COVID-19? You risk not graduating.

For first-gen, low-income students, taking a semester or a year off – to work or to wait for a more stable outlook – could mean never graduating.

USA Today / May 17, 2020

Tribal Institutions Put Native Students First During COVID-19

“We know our families, we know our communities, and how we’ve survived."

Teen Vogue / May 14, 2020

Recognizing First-gen Graduates

The University of Nebraska–Lincoln finds a way to celebrate commencement amid crisis.

Ashlee Young M.Ed., Assistant Director / May 14, 2020

UM scholarship program for first-gen students expanding

A scholarship program founded at the University of Michigan to improve the experiences of first-gen students is expanding to five US institutions.

M Live / May 12, 2020

Supporting Students from High School to College During COVID-19

Schools and districts have a role to play in creating the structured supports needed for students to persist on the path to college.

The Education Trust / May 11, 2020

UCSD to Recognize Graduating First Generation College Students

To celebrate first-gen grads, UC San Diego’s Triton Firsts initiative has created a virtual space to recognize these individuals.

UCSD Guardian / May 10, 2020

Fighting for their dreams, 1st-gen students face 'huge challenge'

A job market in freefall has compounded disappointment over delayed commencement.

ABC News / May 07, 2020

COVID-19 Disproportionately Affects Underserved Students

COVID-19's compounding effects threaten to ensure that students who were already behind will fall even farther behind.

ACT / May 05, 2020

Bursting the College Bubble

Universities have long prided themselves on bridging the differences between students. Today, COVID-19 has instead highlighted hidden inequalities.

The New York Times / May 05, 2020

First-Generation College Celebration Shareable

Center Newsletter 5.5.2020

The latest updates from the Center. In this Edition: 2020 First-Generation College Celebration; Virtual Event Recap; FREE Center Resources

The Center / May 05, 2020

3 Ways Colleges Can Help First-Gen Students Hit Hard by COVID-19

If challenges are not addressed, many first-generation, low-income students may not see through their matriculation commitment in August.

The 74 / May 04, 2020

“May I buy you a cup of coffee?”

The University of Portland makes the Pacific Northwest’s coffee culture the foundation of institutional efforts to support first-gen students.

Matt Daily M.Ed. / May 01, 2020

A Campus-Wide Approach to Supporting First-generation VOLs at UT

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville implements a campus-wide approach to support first-generation scholars.

Talisha L. Adams Ed.D. / May 01, 2020