Send us a text Brianna Logan's journey from her parents' Caribbean roots to becoming a successful CEO is inspiring. In our latest episode, Brianna, a first-generation college graduate, shares her personal story of overcoming challenges and finding her path in the professional world. Her experience navigating college and her career without a clear r…

Send us a text Join us for a conversation with Mike Wysocki, a first-generation graduate, who reveals how he turned hurdles into stepping stones on his journey to success. From a working-class suburb of Boston to the broader horizons of UMass Amherst, Mike candidly shares how a change in major from engineering to sociology opened unexpected doors. …

Send us a text Let's talk about the strengths first-generation students bring to campus based on a research article and an ASHE research presentation. Join me, Jen Schoen, as we challenge the deficit narrative and uncover the qualities that these students contribute to higher education. As part of First-Generation Student Celebration Week, I draw f…

Send us a text Discover three secrets to finding scholarships tailored for first-generation students that are ready for our students to use. Join me, Jen Schoen, as I share tools like College Greenlight and Scholarship Owl to discover opportunities that fit student's background and aspirations. We'll talk about asking for help from teachers, adviso…

Send us a text Discover the journey of Selena Meints, the First Generation Initiatives Coordinator at the University of Missouri, as she shares her story from being a first-generation college student to leading a first-gen initiative on campus. Selena shares her journey navigating the college experience without a traditional support system, which i…

Send us a text First-generation students have unique needs as they navigate their transition from college to their first professional career. Join me as I chat with Cesar Margarito, whose transformative journey from a small Mexican town to working on his a doctoral degree at the University of Southern California sheds light on the experiences of fi…

Send us a text Curious about the unique hurdles first-generation graduate students face and solutions to support them? Join us for an enlightening conversation with Jennifer Stripe Portillo, Dean of Student Success and Title IX Coordinator at the Chicago School. Jennifer opens up about her own journey as a first-gen college student and shares how i…

Send us a text Here's the link to register: https://tinyurl.com/FG4Kamala October 1, 2024 from 8:00pm - 9:30pmET, First-Gens for Kamala Note that there will be speakers from the first-gen community - authors, CEOs, Non-profit founders - as panelists but Vice President Kamala Harris herself is not expected. From event organizer Dr. Sara E Whitley an…

Send us a text Join us as we explore the increasing presence of first-gen narratives in popular culture and question whether this trend stems from educators' growing interest or a genuine rise in such stories. From "A Different World" to "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air," we dissect how these shows tackle themes of belonging and equity. Dr. Winfield pr…

Send us a text What if the key to enriching our educational system lies in a group that's often overlooked? Discover why first-generation college students are crucial to the lifeblood of higher education in my latest solo episode. I'll take you through three compelling data points that highlight the massive presence of first-gen students in U.S. co…

Send us a text Discover Northeastern University's commitment to First Gen students in the latest First Gen FM podcast episode. Join me, Jen, as I journey solo this week, pulling back the curtain on the scholarship selection process, particularly focusing on the Torch Scholars Program. This week's episode shares stories and insights, as I recount th…

Send us a text Unlock the secrets of the College Prep Scholars (CPS) program with Dr. Christian Martell from Questbridge. We zoom in on CPS and its role as a stepping stone for high-achieving, low-income, high school juniors aiming for the Questbridge National College Match. Learn about the program's history, its application process, and the unpara…

Send us a text Have you ever considered every turn in your path as a stepping stone towards your true calling? Dr. Ashanti Chunn, our guest from Tennessee State University, shares her compelling switch from biology to education and how it fueled her passion for mentoring first-generation college students through the transformative You FIRST Project…

Send us a text What does it feel like to navigate the world of academia as a first-generation and working class graduate student? This week, I had the privilege of exploring this question with Lauren Harvey, a current PhD student at Rice University. With personal experiences and a wealth of insights brimming from her own journey, Lauren doesn't hol…

Send us a text Join Julie Carballo, the assistant dean of students for first-generation and military affiliated initiatives at North Central College, and me for an enlightening journey as we explore the Cardinal First program. Julie's not just an advocate, but a beacon of hope for first-generation college students, guiding them through the labyrint…

Send us a text Ever wondered what it takes to truly empower first-generation college students? Denise El Habach, a fierce advocate and a Gear Up Coach at Youngker High School, Buckeye, Arizona, has some answers that might surprise you. With an insider's perspective, Denise takes us on a journey into the inspiring and challenging world of working wi…

Send us a text Meet Zach Desjardins, a first-generation student turned holistic academic advisor at the University of Albany. His story, from almost losing his college dreams due to financial aid errors to finding his way through with the Upward Bound program, is the embodiment of resilience, determination, and dedication. In our engaging conversat…

Send us a text Ever wondered what it takes to be a first-generation student of color in a predominantly white institution? Gregory Saint-Dick, diversity advocate and the director for diversity, equity, and inclusion at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, joins us to shed light on his personal journey in higher education. Gregory gives us a gl…

Send us a text Get ready for an exhilarating journey as we welcome D'ric Jackson, a first-generation college student turned advocate, who is reshaping the narrative around higher education. With a background inspired by the '90s Spider-Man series and a dedication to psychology, Derek's unique lens turns an often daunting experience into a thrilling…

Send us a text Yvonne Green works in the Broward County Schools and shares her work with the BRACE Cadets, a group of students who are selected, receive training, and then create projects to share information about going to college and paying for it. We talk abut the primary and secondary gains these mentors get from the program, and the impact of …

Send us a text This week, Matt Newlin and I talk about his role consulting with college campuses about creating successful systems for first-generation, rural, and low-income students. We spend time talking about Matt's journey to and through college, move into a conversation about debt management and financial literacy, and then helping faculty un…

Send us a text Art by and for first-generation students provides a creative outlet and a powerful way to connect with student experiences. Art work in first-generation spaces is important, and art made by first-generation students is even better. M.C. Damm, assistant director of Boston University's Newbury Center talks about their first-gen art ini…

Send us a text Ryan Fewins-Bliss is the Executive Director of the Michigan College Access Network (MCAN). He shares his thoughts on the messages first-generation, BIPOC, and other students and families are receiving about going going to college, and how we need to have a data-informed approach to counteracting these messages that college is not for…

Send us a text Today I talk with Dr. Natalie Hart, a former student who was a Washington State Achievers Scholar at the University of Washington while I was the director of that program. Our conversation covers her from third grade when she knew she'd be a doctor (an astronaut doctor?), to her mentors that encouraged her to dream big, and what she …

Send us a text Michelle Onaka, a recent TRIO SSS academic counselor, instructor, and data coordinator at Oregon State University, talks about engaging students in conversations around money. We talk about how to start conversations, about credit cards and debt aversion, investing, and even making plans to repay loans after graduations. Michelle sha…

Send us a text Storytelling for students, especially first-generation students can be empowering and enlightening, Learn how to help students tell authentic, meaningful stories, for admissions, scholarships, interviews, and even dates! Dr. Rebecca Wiltberger Wiggins joins me to talk about storytelling (and tells a few stories about her family and h…

Send us a text FirstGenFM is broadcasting to high school and college educators who are working with first-generation college and college-bound students. It will be like a mini-conference session each week with takeaways to help you and your students thrive and learn about success. My goal is to create a web of knowledgeable advocates for first-gene…