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.

Here are 2 areas where your first-gen students need more attention

More than 50% of college students are first-gen, and some of the country’s most populous states have the highest concentration of such learners.

University Business / November 06, 2023

Here are 2 areas where your first-gen students need more attention

More than 50% of college students are first-gen, and some of the country’s most populous states have the highest concentration of such learners.

University Business / November 06, 2023

Calvin University students celebrating fall on campus

Solidarity in Story-Sharing

Story-sharing brings connection for first-generation students, faculty and staff.

Laura Rodeheaver-Van Gelder & Hannah Brenton / November 03, 2023

A Guide for First-Generation, Working-Class Graduate Students

Advice for those who straddle two worlds: one where they’re unsure they belong and another where their upward mobility is not understood

Inside Higher Ed / November 03, 2023

Brick walkway outside of building on the University of South Carolina's campus

A community of firsts

First-generation students bring resilience, perspectives to USC campus

University of South Carolina / November 03, 2023

Mississippi State Poster featuring schedule of F-G-C-C events

MSU celebrates first-generation students with weeklong events

The week coincides with Wednesday’s [Nov. 8] national First-Generation College Celebration Day.

Mississippi State University / November 03, 2023

UH Manoa First-Gen Forward committee members throwing shaka in campus building

Celebrating UH Mānoa’s first-generation college students

At the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, the number of first-generation students is estimated to be higher than the national average.

University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa / November 02, 2023

5 Keys Toward becoming a First-Generation Minded Institution

Where should institutions begin when considering first-generation college students?

Kyle Macon / November 01, 2023

Launching a First-generation Campaign

We’re already focused on serving our first-generation students. Now how do we make what we are doing unified, cohesive, and visible?

Marlowe Daly-Galeano & Traci Birdsell / November 01, 2023

Virginia Tech Students Making VT hand sign outside

First-Generation Student Success celebrates campus achievements

Weeklong activities honor first-generation students’ contributions to their communities and mark progress in removing barriers to their success.

Virginia Tech / November 01, 2023

Student group posing with signs expressing first-gen pride with gold letters reading

First-Gen Students Find Support, Belonging at St. Thomas

St. Thomas has worked intensely to advance outcomes for first-gen students, earning the First-gen Forward designation through the Center.

University of St. Thomas / November 01, 2023

Marble pillar on blue background fading into white; sound waves behind blue text reading

On Campus Podcast – First Generation Students in Higher Ed

This episode explores the remarkable experiences of first-generation college students in the United States.

CITI Program / October 31, 2023

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Student poses below Student and Academic Services Building Sign Outside

First-gen students feel uninformed despite First-gen Forward status

“I know resources are here. I think they should just be more out there and be given as soon as students get here."

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill / October 26, 2023

Group of students talking as they walk out of a campus building between classes

First-generation law students saddled with higher debt, lower scores

The Law School Survey of Student Engagement released its first-ever in-depth examination of first-generation students.

Reuters / October 25, 2023

Adams State University student picture on the football field

A First-Generation Starter

Following the Breadcrumbs...

Ryan Gonzales / October 24, 2023

First-Generation College Celebration honors first-gen students, alumni

On November 8, 2023, the Council for Opportunity in Education and the Center will lead the national efforts for the seventh annual First-Generation College Celebration.

FirstGen Forward / October 24, 2023

Berklee College of Music students on campus

Into the Unknown - Survey Style

To build out Berklee’s first-generation program further, we knew that diving into the unknown—by gathering our first survey data designed for our institution’s unique traits—would help us to build a strong program rooted in meeting the students where they are and ensure they “mattered” on our campus.

Alyssa Hensel and Kera Perron / October 23, 2023

First-generation College Student Shares Her Inspiring Journey

Being a first-generation student has given Yolanda the knowledge that her accomplishment will benefit those who are similar to her.

Cristina Zapata, Meagan Jarmuz / October 23, 2023