‘I’m First’ Empowers, Celebrates First-Generation College Students

This Saturday, Emerson College celebrates First-Generation College Student Day – a moment to honor the experiences, achievements, and impact of students who are the first in their family to go to college.

Through the I’m First program, Emerson offers a wide range of resources and events that reflect the College’s ongoing commitment to supporting first-generation college students and empowering their success beyond graduation. 

Christopher Grant, Director of Student Success, Access and Belonging, said departments across Emerson play key roles in administering support for first-generation college students. This support takes many forms, such as facilitating opportunities to attend study abroad programs, like Kasteel Well, by utilizing resources such as the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship. 

“Being first-gen is a hidden diversity. Earlier on, it could feel like working from a deficit, but it adds to our community, it’s something to be admired, and we don’t want students to feel like they have to carry this burden alone,” said Grant. 

In 2022, nonprofit FirstGen Forward recognized the College’s commitment to improving the experiences of first-generation college students. Since then, the nonprofit has partnered with Emerson to provide first-gen college students with access to professional development resources, community-building experiences, and valuable research resources. 

“We want to make sure we are doing our job year after year, making our goals, [ensuring] we are making a difference for these students,” said Grant.

Emerson also has an Eta Lambda Chapter of Alpha Alpha Alpha (Tri-Alpha), an honor society for first-generation college students. The society connects current first-gen students with alumni to aid their post-graduate transition. The society also recognizes students at Commencement by providing a special graduation ribbon denoting them as first-generation college students.  

Being a first-generation college student comes with a unique set of challenges and, to Grant, it also represents an unmistakable point of pride embodied in the I’m First program’s mantra: First doesn’t mean alone.

“College life can be very overwhelming and different: we provide support for students who don’t have a reference for the college microcosm,” said Grant. “We teach them how to navigate Emerson and answer any questions.”

For Political Communications major Jazzy Compton ’28, a first-generation college student, Emerson College is incredibly supportive of its first-gen student body by creating spaces where their voices are heard and celebrated.

“It’s exciting that Emerson provides opportunities for first-gen students to advocate for their community through on-campus employment opportunities and Emerson student organizations as well,” said Compton. “Through initiatives like first-gen mixers, cooking classes, and regular communications from First-Gen Emerson about scholarships and events, I always feel part of a strong and connected network.”

Compton also said Emerson’s resources such as the Student Pantry and the Office of Student Success Student Assistance Fund  have fostered a positive college experience for them and their first-generation peers.

“It’s comforting to know that there are so many offices across campus happy to support the first-gen student experience, especially since many of Emerson’s very own faculty and staff are made up of first-generation students themselves,” said Compton.

Compton said their experiences demonstrate how through an ample offering of professional development resources, access to a strong sense of community, and unyielding support, Emerson College continues to celebrate and elevate first-generation college students.

“I hope First-Generation Day can spread awareness and joy to a community that can oftentimes be forgotten. We are here, and we are first!” said Compton.