“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”—Nelson Mandela
Family members of first-generation graduates tend to stand out at commencement ceremonies. They’re the ones whose jubilant, i.e. high-decibel, celebrations can’t be contained. That’s because goals are often sweeter when you’ve overcome unique challenges.
At the CSU, nearly one-third of undergraduates are the first in their family to attend college. While this is an incredible accomplishment, those first days on campus can stir up feelings of apprehension. Without experienced family members to look to for guidance, students can feel as though they have to forge a path alone. “Do I belong here?” “Who can answer my list of questions?”
These fears are quickly dashed by the CSU’s multitude of resources and avenues of support for first-generation students, including the Educational Opportunity Program, Summer Bridge and peer mentoring. And several CSU campuses have gained national recognition for their commitment to advancing outcomes of first-gen college students.
We spoke with a few first-generation leaders about their experiences and how they’ve used them to propel those who followed in their footsteps.
See other ways in which the CSU provides admission, academic and financial support services to historically underserved students throughout California.