First Generation Nebraska
We're working to make our campus more "first generation friendly" by developing links between first-generation college students and faculty and staff who share a similar academic experience.
Connect with us!
2022 Spring Semester Events
Show Up and Show Off
Grab a First-Gen t-shirt and button Nebraska City UnionFirst Gen Visible
Campus members encouraged to wear first-gen t-shirtsFirst Gen Visible
Campus members encouraged to wear first-gen t-shirtsShare a Meal
Willa Cather Dining Complex2021 Fall Semester Events
Show Up and Show Off
Grab a First-Gen T-shirt Love Library LinkShow Up and Show Off
Grab a First-Gen T-shirt Love Library LinkFirst Gen Friday: Let’s Get It Poppin’
Front of Morrill HallFootball Friday for First Gen Scholars and Alumni
Cohosted by the Nebraska Alumni Association Wick Alumni CenterShare a Meal
Willa Cather Dining ComplexFirst-Gen Networking Event
Centennial Ballroom, City Campus UnionNational First Gen Celebration Week
More details to come!First Gen Reading Club Discussion
Zoom Presented by First Generation Nebraska: National First Gen Celebration WeekFirst Generation Speaker Series: A Conversation with Mekita Rivas
Nebraska Union Presented by First Generation Nebraska: National First Gen Celebration Week
About First Generation Nebraska
In fall of 2017, Nebraska's Office of the Executive Vice Chancellor launched First Generation Nebraska, an initiative designed to link first-generation college students and faculty and staff who share a similar academic experience with the goal of making our campus more "first generation friendly."
Acknowledging first-generation status as part of one's identity might seem a small thing, but it can be critical to students' success, helping them easily identify faculty and staff who can relate to particular challenges they might be facing. First Generation Nebraska invites faculty and staff who were first generation college students themselves to participate.
How can faculty/staff participate?
Sign up for our mailing list. You will receive the First Generation Nebraska Button and office placard. Faculty and staff are encouraged to display the placard on their office doors and wear the FGN button to help first-generation students identify individuals who are receptive to sharing their own experiences.
In addition, you will be invited to participate in social events with first generation students and workshops for faculty and staff focused on how to meet the needs of FG students in and outside of the classroom.
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln was named a First-gen Forward Advisory Institution by the Center for First-generation Student Success, an initiative of the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) and the Suder Foundation. UNL was selected as one of the 12 colleges and universities elevated to Advisory Institution status for the 2021-22 academic year.
The First-gen Forward Advisory Institution designation recognizes institutions of higher education that have demonstrated a commitment to improving experiences and advancing outcomes of first-generation college students. Selected institutions receive professional development, community-building experiences and a first look at the center's research and resources. Select faculty and staff from these colleges and universities will have opportunities to engage with peer and aspirational institutions that are also creating environments prioritizing success for first-generation students. Within this capacity, UNL serves as a leader to the Midwest First-gen Forward cohort in collaboration with the University of Memphis.
The First Generation Nebraska initiative was recently named a recipient of INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine’s 2020 Inspiring Affinity Group Award, which recognizes programs that provide higher education professionals mentoring, collaboration, and social networking opportunities.
First Generation Advisory Board
The advisory board — comprised of faculty, staff and students — develops, implements and assesses First Generation Nebraska programs and events. The advisory board meets three times a semester during the academic year and during the summer as needed.