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.

What Is a First-Generation College Student?

The definition of a first-gen college student remains debatable. Anne Dennon discusses who first-gen students are and how they can succeed.

Best Colleges / July 01, 2020

Will Post-COVID Higher Ed Be "Different" for “At-Risk” Students?

For Andrew Martinez, post-COVID higher education is an opportunity to reimagine the way higher education functions for often ignored students.

Diverse Issues in Higher Education / July 01, 2020

First Scholars Network Selects ATU for Inaugural Cohort

Arkansas Tech University is one of 31 institutions of higher learning that will participate in the inaugural cohort of the First Scholars Network.

Arkansas Tech News / June 24, 2020

Kansas State University Selected to the Inaugural Cohort of First Scholars® Network

Work to help first-generation students earns university national distinction.

K-State News / June 23, 2020

CCRI selected as new Second Chance Pell Experimental Site

The Community College of Rhode Island announced it is included in an initiative to provide need-based Pell grants to people in prisons.

What's Up Newp / June 23, 2020

A First-Gen College Student Talks Loan Debt and Advice

Zipporah Osei's newsletter strives to give fellow first-gen students the guidance she never received growing up.

EdSurge / June 23, 2020

College Dreams Collide with COVID-19

For aspiring first-gen students, the process of getting into college is complicated enough. Now, COVID-19 is making it even more challenging

Teach for America / June 22, 2020

Texas A&M System Creates $100M Scholarship Fund

The Texas A&M University system will create a $100 million scholarship fund to assist first-generation students impacted by the pandemic.

Inside Higher Ed / June 16, 2020

Center Newsletter 6.16.20

In this edition: Center Turns Three; Virtual SSHE Reg Closing Soon; Grant Opportunity Available; Upcoming Professional Development

FirstGen Forward / June 16, 2020

Becker College Selected to First Scholars® Network

Becker College joins 31 institutions in building upon already successful programmatic elements for broad scaling while creating systemic cultural shifts that address first-generation student success with intentionality.

Becker College / June 16, 2020

Changing course

UNC alumna Alexis Kinlaw reflects on her journey from shame to pride as a first-generation college student.

EducationNC / June 15, 2020

The Center Turns Three: A Year of Response

Three years later, the Center's four original strategic priorities continue to drive and direct our work, yet the past 12 months have challenged us to advance our work in new ways.

FirstGen Forward / June 12, 2020

Building a Foundation for First-generation College Student Success

This blog highlights collaborative efforts at TCU to provide an asset-based approach to first-gen programming through empowerment.

Jamartae Jackson, M.Ed. & Cynthia Montes, M.Ed. / June 11, 2020

IMLS Invests $719K in Small and Rural Libraries

New Projects to Advance Digital Inclusion, Community Memory, School Library Practice

Institute of Museum and Library Services / June 10, 2020

COVID-19 Erodes Equity Gains of First-Generation College-Goers

The most promising solution we’ve seen yet for leveling the nation’s ballooning income and wealth gaps appears to be unraveling.

The 74 / June 09, 2020

Without ceremony, new college grads step into an uncertain workforce

From first-gen scholars supporting their families to first-time nurses serving pandemic-stricken hospitals, students face a graduation like no other.

National Geographic / June 09, 2020

COCC receives $210K ‘First-Generation Student Success’ grant

The grant will be used to enhance existing supports while creating new offerings for Latinx, Native American, and Afrocentric student communities.

Channel 21 News KTVZ / June 09, 2020

First gen grads carry the hopes and dreams of immigrant parents

Like other students, they will miss out on traditional graduation activities.

The Mercury News / June 08, 2020