The Office of Undergraduate Education collaborates with multiple campus departments to offer centralized, comprehensive programming for first-generation students whose parents/guardians did not complete a bachelor’s degree in the United States. First-Generation Student Programs strives to support first-generation student success through awareness campaigns and programming designed to enhance the belonging, engagement, academic success, and post-graduation outcomes of first-generation students. Programming includes streamed and recorded presentations on a variety of topics, information sessions, service and social events, and opportunities for students to meet faculty, staff, alumni, and community supporters who are members of the First-Generation Student Support Network.
In addition, first-generation students can engage with the Office of Undergraduate Education and other first-generation students through the First-Generation Student Programs eLearning group and the first-generation student organization. Gifts received from UT Dallas’ Annual Giving Day will be used to fund programming, the purchase of items to recognize first-generation graduates, and National First-Generation Celebration Day.
"A Giving Day contribution to programs like the First-Generation Student Programs will ensure that more students like me are taken care of from the very beginning of their college career, in terms of mentorship and guidance, which will help navigate a students' way through different aspects of college life. A contribution will also grow the seeds to create a larger network of intelligent First-Generation students, where we can relate and turn to each other because we are all in this together. I am proud to be a First-Generation student; these Student Programs have helped me feel confident about the obstacles I had to face and made me realize that I am not alone. I hope that the First-Generation Student Programs will grow and give a hand to more disadvantaged students because every student, regardless of their background, deserves an equal opportunity in education." - Farishah Nahrin, first-generation undergraduate
