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.

Meet a first-generation college grad with $250,000 in student debt

When Juan Antonio Sorto moved to America at age six, he began learning that education was the path to the American Dream; now, he's buried in debt.

Business Insider / January 23, 2022

Merger Yields a New College and Student Supports

Boston College and Pine Manor College will create a new two-year college and an enrichment program focused on low-income, underrepresented students.

Inside Higher Ed / January 20, 2022

George Mason University's Approach to First-gen Student Success

Mason provides college-bound and current first-gen students with access to higher education through proactive education, intentional programming, and dedicated support.

Lex Lewis-Semien, M.Ed.; Khaseem Davis, M.Ed.; & Nakia Waters, M.A. / January 19, 2022

Key to Student Success: Creating a Culture of First-gen Support

Nicole Battaglia provides examples of past, present, and future program ideas to create a culture of support for first-generation students to ensure their success.

Nicole Battaglia, M.Ed. / January 19, 2022

Center for First-generation Student Success awarded $548k grant to aid higher education institutions’ data sharing and analysis

The Center will provide better data, analysis, and metrics available to its First Scholars Network® colleges and universities with the support of a $548,000 grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

FirstGen Forward / January 13, 2022

Supporting First-gen Undergrad, Grad, and Professional Students

The Newbury Center at Boston University celebrates and supports the holistic development of first-generation undergraduate, graduate, and professional students.

Maria Dykema Erb, M.Ed. & Selena Hernandez / January 12, 2022

Center Newsletter 1.11.22

In this edition: #FGSS22 CFP; Journal Deadlines; #AdvocateFirstgen; First-gen Professionals Book; Annotated Bibliography; NCCCS First-generation Symposium

FirstGen Forward / January 11, 2022

How Does Your Company Support “First-Generation Professionals?"

Authors share what they learned from a study of FGPs and what company leaders can do to support them.

Harvard Business Review / January 07, 2022

First-generation Professionals in Higher Education: Strategies for the World of Work

The Center releases a new book that investigates the complexities related to the transition from college or professional school to the work world of higher education, as well as the advancement from mid- to senior-level leadership, and how first-generation professionals navigate these transitions.

FirstGen Forward / January 06, 2022

How to Help Students to Be the First in Their Families to Attend College

Alma Lopez offers advice on to best serve prospective first-gen students' needs during the pandemic.

Education Week / January 06, 2022

The Center Equips Schools with Tools to Ensure Student Loan ROI

The Center produces research and advocates for legislation that enables institutions to support first-gen students as they achieve their academic dreams.

badcredit.org / January 04, 2022

How one private university is leveling tuition to attract first-gen students

Bentley University's new program offers an affordable path for those who may view the institution as out of reach.

University Business / December 21, 2021

Center Newsletter 12.21.21 (Holiday)

Happy Holidays from the Center for First-generation Student Success!

FirstGen Forward / December 21, 2021

Capturing the Essence of Mentorship from First-gen Faculty and Staff

A strategy for sharing community insights on mentorship with our first-generation students.

Wilma Crespo, Adam Ortiz, and Sasha Smith / December 15, 2021

First-gen Student Belonging at St. Thomas

St. Thomas strives to work intentionally to ensure our first-generation student programs support community, academic, and social belonging.

Linda Baughman & Marlon Blake, Ed.D. / December 08, 2021

Centering Student Experiences in the Midst of a Transition

Wellesley College is excited to bring resources and efforts toward supporting first-generation college students under one vision in the new Office of Student Success.

Ines Maturana Sendoya, Ed.D. / December 08, 2021

Center Newsletter 12.7.21

In this edition: First-gen Forward Application; Annotated Bibliography; Opportunity with the Center; #NASPA22 Early Registration; #AdvocateFirstgen; Journal Deadlines; Bipartisan Resolution; #FGSS22 CFP

FirstGen Forward / December 07, 2021

UMBC First Generation Network Student Project Assistants

UMBC is leveraging the Federal Work Study Program to engage first-generation students.

Corris Davis, M.S., M.P.P. / December 01, 2021