The First Generation Student Initiatives Team empowers first generation students with the resources, knowledge, and support network to navigate the University of Illinois successfully.
Guiding Pillars: Empower. Engage. Elevate.
Vision: Our team strives to empower you to amplify your existing strengths, engage with a dynamic network of supportive campus partners, and elevate first generation identity visibility across all areas of our university.
We are Illinois. We are #ProudtobeFirstGen.
FGSI Program Learning Outcomes
- First generation students will be able to connect with individuals from multinational backgrounds and participate in activities with global implications.
- First generation students will be able to identify communities on campus that reflect and/or uplift their intersectional identities.
- First generation students will be able to build and maintain relationships with faculty, staff and peers as part of the Illinois community.
- First generation students will develop professional and leadership skills.
Am I considered a first-generation student?
First generation students are diverse in several ways. They possess an array of socio-economic classes, races, ethnicities, nationalities, cultures, faiths, sexual identities, politics, etc. Our team follows the federal definition of first-generation status indicating that neither parent(s) nor guardian(s) have earned at least a bachelor's degree.
Note: We would still consider you First Gen if you have siblings who are enrolled or have previously graduated from college.
We also still consider you First Gen if your parents have earned an associate's degree.
- According to the latest enrollment data for Fall 2024, "more than 1 in 5 incoming students is a first-generation college student, making up 22% of the freshman class." Read more about the historic incoming class here.
- Check out our feature article by Student Affairs which commemorates the launch of our inaugural First Gen Week @ Illinois for Fall 2024.
- In 2022, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign was named a First Gen forward institution. Read more about the announcement here.
Definition source: Campus Profile Glossary, Division of Management Information