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FirstGen Forward

@firstgen.forward

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FirstGen Forward, formerly the Center for First-generation Student Success, believes the future IS FirstGen!

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We invite you to submit a program proposal for the 10th Annual First-Generation Graduate Student Symposium, a national virtual gathering uplifting the experiences, scholarship, and success of first-generation graduate and professional students.

Proposals are welcome that explore the first-generation graduate and professional student experience across all disciplines, identities, and stages of the academic journey. Whether you’re sharing research, best practices, or personal insight, your voice adds to the collective story of first-gen excellence and resilience.

The Program Proposal deadline is Monday, November 16, 2026, so be sure to submit yours at the link in our bio soon.

*Reposting graphic for digital reading accessibility

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UC Berkeley is one of just 29 institutions nationwide selected to receive a 2026 #CelebrateFirstGen grant! 🎉

The award will help expand opportunities to celebrate first-generation students, recognize their contributions and strengthen community across campus. This recognition comes as @ucberkeleyofficial's @reopatcal celebrates 60 years of helping students access, navigate, and thrive at UC Berkeley.

Here's to 60 years of first-gen stories, achievements, and community at Berkeley, and all that's still to come! 💛🐻

🔗 Read more at the link in bio. Three individuals are smiling and posing with signs celebrating first-generation college students. The background features a University of California, Berkeley banner and blue and gold balloons. The signs read "First and not the last," "Public Health," and "Berkeley First-Gen.

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As a part of our First Step First Gen College Student Program, we are excited to students and families to join JCPenney’s upcoming Career Conversations Webinar on Tuesday, September 29th from 2pm-3pm EST. This session is designed to help individuals build confidence, explore career opportunities, and gain practical advice from our JCPenney Leaders.
GNTC has had a long-standing partnership with JCPenney through their Suit Up program. The First Step department is glad to partner with them on new opportunities, like this webinar. Check your student email for additional details! #StudentLife #GetInvolved #FallAtGNTC #FirstStep #FirstGenCollegeStudent

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𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐭 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐧𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐞𝐫 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭-𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭?

We’re excited to partner with FirstGen Forward and provide answers to that question in our upcoming webinar, “First-Gen & Transfer: Navigating College Through Dual Experiences” on Wednesday, October 7 from 1 p.m - 2 p.m. EST!

This will be a dynamic panel discussion into the opportunities, challenges, and support structures that shape the first-generation transfer student journey!

Plan to join us by registering at sc.edu/fye!

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Join us tomorrow for our September FIRST STEP event on Wednesday, September 9 at 2pm.

The GNTC Student Success Coaches will be sharing tips and tricks to focus on time management and study skills.

This event will be offered in-person at FCC J164 AND virtually via WebEx (link in your student email).

This is a FIRST STEP event, but all students are welcome to attend! First time attending First Gen students will receive a gift for attending (if you attended the FIRST STEP event in August, we already have you down to receive your First Gen gift)

All students who attend will earn 20 Bobcat Bucks.

If you have any questions about this event, email studentsuccesscoaches@gntc.edu.
#StudentLife #GetInvolved #FallAtGNTC #FirstGen #FirstGenForward

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Big News – Bergen is now partnered with FirstGen Forward, a first-generation college student advocacy nonprofit!

FirstGen Forward saw the College’s extensive history of serving first-generation students, then added Bergen to their list of more than 500 colleges they collaborate with. As part of the First-Gen network, Bergen will work closely with the organization and other colleges to identify strategies for enhancing the first-generation student experience.

“Community college student journeys are unique and varied,” said Bergen President Eric M. Friedman, Ph.D. “Navigating their enrollment can become all the more complicated when considering many are the first in their families to attend college. That’s why I look forward to working with FirstGen and other partner colleges to discuss how we can continue to improve our resources that respond to the unique needs of first-generation students.”

Read more at bergen.edu/news.

#bergencc #learnbelongsucceed #FirstGenCollegeStudent #StudentSuccess #HigherEducation #FirstGen FirstGen Forward

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@firstgen.forward named Wright State to its Class of 2026, a select national network of institutions committed to enhancing the first-generation student experience.

During the 2025-26 academic year, 45.8% of first-year students at Wright State’s Dayton campus self-identified as first-generation students. Our Academic Engagement Team supports these students by providing uniquely tailored support and campus resources.

“The Academic Engagement Team was crucial to my first-year success in college,” said Leslie Perez-Soria, a sophomore nursing major and first-generation student. “Being a first-generation student typically means figuring out how college works on your own, but having the support of the Academic Engagement Team, including the peer navigators, made me feel welcomed and seen on campus.”

📰 FULL ARTICLE : https://bit.ly/3UcqN0N

#FirstGenerationCollegeStudent #FirstGenForwardNetwork #WrightState #AcademicEngagement

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Ever wondered what a day in the life of a Fresno State Upward Bound student looks like? These students showcase a behind-the-scenes look at their experience. 🌟

From classes and internships to professional development, projects, and team-building, our Upward Bounders are challenging themselves, building discipline, and preparing for college every step of the way. 🏫🎓

A special thank you to the students featured in this video for sharing their journey and making this experience come to life! ❤️💙 #TRIO #UB #Trioworks

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And just like that, our entryway has been upgraded!

#firstgenden #firstgen #celebratefirstgen #firsttofinish #firstgenerationcollegestudent

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There are certain things many first-generation Latinas need to hear—not because we’re weak, but because many of us were never taught them.

We were taught to work hard.
To make our families proud.
To be grateful.
To carry responsibility.
To put others first.
To keep going, even when we were exhausted.

Those lessons helped many of us survive.

But survival isn’t the same as healing.

Sometimes what helped us get here can make it harder to rest, set boundaries, trust ourselves, or believe we deserve a life that reflects who we are—not just what others need from us.

These reminders aren’t about forgetting where we came from.

They’re about honoring our roots while giving ourselves permission to grow.

If you’re a first-generation Latina, I hope one of these slides reminds you that your worth isn’t measured by how much you carry.

You deserve rest.
You deserve boundaries.
You deserve healing.
You deserve to become the woman you’re meant to be—not just the woman everyone else needed you to be.

🤎 Save this for the days you need the reminder.

📩 Share it with another first-generation Latina who deserves to hear these words.

👇🏽Which slide spoke to you the most? I’d love to hear your story.

#WomenRaisedBetweenCultures #DominicanAmerican #LatinaTherapist #HealingJourney #MentalHealthMatters

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"The best professional spaces don’t just fill your notebook; they restore your soul." ✨

Now that I’m back from Austin and have had a moment to process #SSHE26, I am filled with an overwhelming sense of gratitude. This week was exactly what I needed.

Between the brilliant sessions that challenged my thinking and the powerful fellowship with colleagues, family, and friends, I am leaving this experience completely poured into.

When you navigate a chaotic professional year, it takes a heavy toll. It forces you to pause. This week had me reflecting deeply on my core values, my long-term goals, and my work as a professional. Specifically, it pushed me to look at the landscape of Student Success and the work I did at Michigan much more critically and deeply, in ways I haven't in some time. 🧭

Being surrounded by a community that validates your worth while challenging you to grow is a profound reminder of who you are. Alignment isn't just about a title; it’s about ensuring your environment matches your purpose.

I am returning with a clear mind, a restored spirit, and a deep appreciation for the people who anchor me. Thank you to everyone who poured into me last week. I am back with an open heart, sharpened focus, and a renewed commitment to the purpose and direction that drives me. #SSHE26 #NASPA #StudentSuccess #StayTuned

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Hey Terrier F1RSTS! Over the weekend, Maria, Rosemary, Dr. Tony Jack, and Malachai traveled to Austin, TX to attend #SSHE26, First-Generation Student Success Conference. Maria and Dr. Clency shared their fundraising expertise with their “First-Gen Fundraising: Lessons Learned” presentation. Rosemary delivered a presentation on “Did We “Make It”? Practices on Social Class with Working Class and Poor First-Generation Students”. They enjoyed catching up with their fellow first-gen professionals. While in Austin, they enjoyed the warm weather and good eats ☺️.

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