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.

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

Faculty and Staff posing for a group photo in front of large, red N in UNL building

Faculty and staff strive to enhance first-gen student experiences

UNL works to improve first-generation student success and degree completion in support of the campus’s First Scholar Institution designation.

University of Nebraska—Lincoln / October 18, 2023

Avila University First-generation Students and Faculty

Top 10 Ways Universities Can Help First-generation College Students Succeed

Avila University shares their “Top 10” list on how to better serve first-generation college students.

Paige Illum, Alexandra Leugoud, & Sara Kline / October 17, 2023

Mother holding daughter's face and smiling outside on daughter's graduation day while other graduates look on

Campus Engagement Tip: Involving First-Gen Families

Inside Higher Ed / October 13, 2023

Walters State Community College Academic Advisor

Making those First-gen Connections

Can making cross-campus connections really make a difference for first-gen students?

Amy Humphrey / October 12, 2023

shape of Tennessee with TBR and First Scholars logos

The First Scholars Network: Unlocking success for state systems in higher ed

The Tennessee Board of Regents was looking for a way to improve first-generation student success for the thirteen community colleges in its system

FirstGen Forward / October 12, 2023

Ramapo College of New Jersey Legacies Pinning Ceremony

Legacies in the Making

Ramapo College of New Jersey hosts inaugural Legacies in the Making summer pre-college program to welcome incoming cohort of first-year, first-generation students.

Uma Mahalingam, Nicole Videla / October 12, 2023

Two side-by-side headshots of University of Texas at Arlington staff

A Commitment to Success of First-generation College Students

UTA named one of 76 new members of the First Scholars Network

The University of Texas at Arlington / October 12, 2023

First-gen Forward status renewed

An inaugural participant in the program in 2019, Carolina continues to support first-generation students.

UNC Chapel Hill / October 11, 2023

UA works on finding a space for first-generation college students

Despite this progress, however, some students still see room for improvement.

The Crimson White / October 11, 2023

What does it mean to be a first-generation child?

We talked with Alejandra Campoverdi about what it means to be a “First and Only” in your family or any other space.

1A / October 09, 2023