First Gen Success

You’re not navigating college alone.

Being the first in your family to pursue a four-year degree is an achievement worth celebrating. It can also mean navigating unfamiliar systems, new expectations and important decisions without someone at home who has gone through the college experience before.

What does FirstGen mean?

A first-generation college student is generally defined as a student whose parents or legal guardians have not completed a four-year bachelor’s degree.

Are you a first-generation student?

You are a first-generation college student if neither of your parents or guardians completed a four-year college or university degree.

You may be first-gen even if a sibling, cousin, grandparent or other family member has attended or completed college. First-generation students bring resilience, perspective and determination to campus—and they are an important part of the UM-Flint community.

Your FirstGen Community

Supported collaboratively by the Student Success Center and the Office of Educational Opportunity Initiatives, we connect undergraduate and graduate first-generation students with campus partners, programs and a community that understands the first-generation experience. It is also a resource for faculty, staff, families and allies who want to help first-generation students succeed.

John Girdwood Student Affairs Program Manager and Adjunct Lecturer in Sociology, Department of Behavioral Sciences, College of Arts, Sciences and Education, The University of Michigan-Flint

johngird@umich.edu

810-766-6722

Roy Shavers Academic Success Specialist

rshavers@umich.edu

810-762-3085

Our stories

Faculty, staff and students at UM-Flint who identify as first-generation college students and graduates proudly share their stories. We invite you to share yours as well. What has your experience been like as a first-generation student at UM-Flint?

Share your story

We are collecting stories from first-generation students and graduates who are part of UM-Flint community. Whether you are a current student, alum, faculty or staff member, we would be honored to highlight your journey and experiences.

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