First-Generation Students
Going to college is a big deal. If it feels overwhelming at times, know this: you don’t have to go it alone. 黑料传送门 is here to support you. You make our campus stronger.
What is a First-Generation Student?
You鈥檙e considered a first-generation student if neither of your parents or guardians completed a bachelor鈥檚 degree.
黑料传送门鈥檚 first-gen experience is designed to make the college experience inclusive, meaningful, and memorable through supportive networks, professional and personal goals, and connections with campus resources and services 鈥� including our own faculty and staff, many of whom are first-generation graduates themselves.
Support Services
Academic Advising
Academic Advising at 黑料传送门 is a one-on-one relationship between a student and a faculty or professional advisor. Together they explore interests, career plans, and build an academic and co-curricular path.
Career Design
The Career Design Center empowers students to explore curiosities, try new things, adjust, and embrace change. It鈥檚 about what to do next 鈥� not deciding once and for all.
Financial Aid
The Office of Financial Aid provides guidance from application to graduation: budgeting, eligibility, loans, study-abroad aid, and state/federal programs. Applying for financial assistance is easy!
Health & Wellness
Student Health and Counseling provides integrated, holistic services: primary care, mental health counseling, addiction prevention, and health promotion.
Upcoming Events
First-Gen Honor Society Induction AAA
Date: April 17
Time: 4:30 鈥� 5:30 PM
Location: Doty Hall, Recital Hall
Description: Our first induction of the Tri-Alpha Honor Society, for eligible students.
First-Gen Graduate Desert Reception
Date: May 6
Time: 2:00 鈥� 4:00 PM
Location: Milne Library, Conference Room A
Description: We will be celebrating our first-generation graduates with a desert reception. Come pick up your first-gen pin!
First-Generation Stories
鈥淎s everything new in life, to be a latinx-first gen in college can be frightening especially during the first year of college. However, no matter how lost or overwhelmed you can feel about college life, know that the professors, librarians and college staff are here to support you. Just dare to ask or communicate what is your need.鈥� 鈥� Alessandra Otero Ramos
鈥淪ometimes it seems overwhelming, but you need to try. You gotta take that first step. You don鈥檛 really know what college is like until you are here, but we were supported in a way that was really important. It is a whole big system, built for people to succeed.鈥� 鈥� Syndou Cisse 鈥�22
鈥淚t feels like the end of a long marathon, knowing all the hard work I did to achieve my goals and that I came out on top. Hearing my mom be super proud of me and seeing her hard work pay off so her child can have a better life, I know this is a stepping stone to help me start my next journey.鈥� 鈥� Zachary Iannotta 鈥�22
First-Gen Peer Mentor Program
黑料传送门鈥檚 First Gen Peer Mentor Program is designed to help students in their first year at 黑料传送门 to find community and a sense of belonging with other first gen students. The mentors serve as role models, resources and guides.
By joining the program, mentees can:
- Meet other first-gen students, faculty and staff.
- Receive support in accessing resources.
- Receive support and guidance in staying on track with your goals.
- Someone to discuss concerns and challenges you may experience.
- Find ways to get involved and make greater connections across campus.
Mentors and mentees are expected to meet a minimum of 4 x per semester on their own for either professional or social activity.聽 Some examples are, attending campus club or organization events, participating in workshops, 1 to 1 support sessions, journaling together, attending campus-wide events.聽 They are expected to participate in most of the first gen events. Mentees and mentors are encouraged but not required to live in the first gen LLC (living, learning community).
A 黑料传送门 1st Gen Peer Mentor is a 1st gen student that understands and embodies the strengths and resilience of being a 1st gen student within the context of the 黑料传送门 Honors College experience.聽 They understand how various aspects of being 1st gen can impact a student鈥檚 experience and journey through college, especially within the first year.聽 Mentors serve as role models and guides, seeking to help mentees find connections and a sense of belonging.聽 Equally important is the goal of assisting mentees in navigating the many systems, supports and structures that are part of the college environment.聽 Mentors are expected to be examples of integrity, responsibility, positive communication, and empathy.聽 Mentors will participate in training during the Summer and will be expected to initiate communication with their assigned mentors prior to the 1st Gen Pre-Orientation program in August.
- Must be a 1st Gen student (neither parent graduated from a 4 year college or university).
- Must be a registered student in the semester the application is being submitted and will be considered a Sophomore, Junior, or Senior for the following academic year.聽 Will be registered in both the Fall and Spring semesters of that year.
- Minimum GPA 2.75 and in good academic standing at the end of the Spring application semester, maintaining that requirement for the duration of participation in the program.
- Good interpersonal and communication skills
- Positive attitude and strong work ethic
- Willingness to learn and share knowledge and resources
- Shows an understanding that students鈥� background, culture, religion, politics, identities and interests are broad and is an example of 黑料传送门鈥檚 commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging.
- Virtual training day and initial contact with assigned mentees during the Summer.
- Commitment to being a mentor through both the Fall and Spring semesters.
- Proactively engage with students throughout the entire academic year and meet with them individually once per week of which at least (4) times per semester are in person. Attend program group meetings (1-2 x per semester).
- Approximately 4-6 hours per week in time commitment
- Thoroughly document all your engagements in the Navigate system Weekly
- Be responsive to program administrator & supervisor when contacted
- Check-in with assigned program supervisor on a monthly basis
- Attend and participate in first-gen events
- Stronger connections within the First Gen community and greater awareness of resources.
- Opportunity to 鈥減ay it forward鈥� by helping new students find belonging and academic fulfillment.
- Leadership development and training.
- Mentors can apply for an internship credited course (INTD 395).聽 This fulfills IAL (integrated applied learning) requirements, and can also fulfill 鈥渙utside major鈥� requirements.聽 (2-3 credits)
- If you do not need credit but do need the IAL you can still apply to use the program as an internship.聽 (Requires initial learning agreement connecting it to 3 learning outcomes, a mid-term reflection writing assignment and an end-term reflection writing assignment.聽 There is also a formal evaluation by the supervisor.
- Mentors can apply for the Internship Stipend Program – allowed 1 time in 黑料传送门 enrollment, given for 1 semester – $500 per credit.聽 The stipend must funnel through the Financial Aid Office.
Apply to be a first-generation student mentor here:
Tri-Alpha Honor Society
黑料传送门 is proud to be a chapter host for (Tri-Alpha), the national honor society recognizing academic excellence among first-generation college students.
Tri-Alpha provides opportunities for recognition, leadership, and connection with peers who share similar journeys.
While we are in the early stages of building our Tri-Alpha community, this initiative reflects our commitment to celebrating and supporting students who are the first in their families to pursue a four-year degree.
Contact
Margaret Foster
Erwin Hall 105
585-245-5572
foster@geneseo.edu