First Generation Students
First-generation college students are celebrated and embraced at SUNY Geneseo. If you identify as a first-generation student, you should be proud of your accomplishment. And you're not alone! Nearly a quarter of the students who started at Geneseo in Fall 2023 are first-generation students.
Your pursuit of higher education is admirable, and to be the first one in your family to attain a college degree is particularly commendable!
βDenise A. Battles, PhD, president and first-generation college graduate
SUNY Geneseoβs first-gen experience is designed to make the college experience inclusive, meaningful, and memorable through supportive networks, the establishment of professional and personal goals, and connections with campus resources and services, including our own faculty and staff, many of whom are first-generation college graduates themselves.
Upcoming Events
Support for the following first-gen events has been generously provided by The Summit Federal Credit Union.
- π November 8, 2024: National First Generation Day
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We invite first-generation students to stop by the Multicultural Center on National First Generation Day (Nov. 8) for refreshments and to connect with other students, faculty, and staff that were the first to go to college.
This event is sponsored by the Summit Federal Credit Union, thanks to Laurie Baker '85, member of the SUNY Geneseo Foundation Board.
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- π March 5, 2025: First Generation Student Event
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We invite first-generation students to stop by the Multicultural Center on March 5 for refreshments and to connect with other students, faculty, and staff that were the first to go to college.
This event is sponsored by the Summit Federal Credit Union, thanks to Laurie Baker '85, member of the SUNY Geneseo Foundation Board.
First-Gen Faculty and Staff
Ed Beary, instructional support specialist
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Courtney Havens, EOP counselor
"Being a first generation student had several challenges, of which the toughest one I felt was leaving my family home while I went off to college and for them to not fully understand what it meant academically, socially and personally for me to be at a four year residential institution. Although they couldn't relate, they were supportive of my education and I am forever grateful for that."
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Eric Helms, associate professor of chemistry
"I felt pretty lost for most of my first semester and did not want to let my family down given how hard they worked to get me there. I was lucky to have a roommate who understood why I did not know much about how to navigate college offices, registration, what to call professors, etc. Together, we managed to survive our first year and after that, it was a lot easier."
Alessandra Otero Ramos, liaison librarian to arts and humanities
"As everything new in life, to be a latinx-first gen in college can be frightening especially during the first year of college. However, no matter how lost or overwhelmed you can feel about college life, know that the professors, librarians and college staff are here to support you. Just dare to ask or communicate what is your need. In Latin America we say: βEl que no llora, no mama.β (The squeaky wheel gets the grease), so dare to ask for help."
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Amanda L Roth, associate professor of philosophy and women's and gender studies, coordinator of WGST
"I was lucky to have very supportive parents who were willing and able to learn a lot about college admissions and financial aid. Arriving at college (a small private liberal arts college with a very hefty price tag, which thanks to generous financial aid my family paid very little of), the biggest shock were some of the displays of wealth by fellow students, which were completely foreign to me."
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Jasmine Tang, lecturer of Chinese
"θ‘θ‘εΊηΆε Hang hang chu zhuangyuan (No matter which job you do, you can achieve.)"
First-Gen Stories
A Generous Gift Empowers a First-Generation Scientist
First Generation Student: Kaaden Sherwood '26
First Generation Student: Wrileigh Bacon '26
The student experience: Study abroad
First-Generation Student Syndou Cisse '22 is Honored with SUNY Award
First-Generation Student Focus
Helpful Resources
- Center for Integrative Learning
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The Center for Integrative Learning, located in 217 Erwin Hall, helps students, faculty and staff across all disciplines work towards social impact through a process of integrative inquiry, application of knowledge/skills, and metacognition.
- The Office of Accessibility Services
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The Office of Accessibility Services, located in 22 Erwin Hall, supports students with disabilities with reasonable accommodations and support aids and services in order to provide equal access to the learning environment.
- The Office of Diversity and Equity
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The Office of Diversity and Equity, located in 303 Doty Hall, is committed to sustaining and expanding the diversity of the Geneseo community and to making equity for all members of our diverse community a measure of our success.
- The Office of Financial Aid
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The Office of Financial Aid helps students and families navigate federal and state financial aid at every stage of the process, from application to graduation. Located in 104 Erwin Hall, the office also provides counseling on budgeting, eligibility criteria, financial aid for study abroad, loans, and available aid programs.
- Student Health and Counseling
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Health and Counseling, located in the Lauderdale Health Center, supports the health and wellbeing of students in a welcoming and safe environment for all students. Services include comprehensive medical treatment and mental health support for all students.
- Campus Lingo
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All Things Geneseo: Lingo, commonly used terminology around our campus community, and locations on campus!
Get Involved
The programs and experiences below will help you adjust to life at Geneseo and make the most out of your time on campus.
- Geneseo Opportunities for Leadership Development
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The Geneseo Opportunities for Leadership Development program provides an extensive series of personal development programs, institutes, leadership certificates, service learning, volunteer work, and active engagement in college and community life.
- Geneseo Foundation Undergraduate Research Fellowship
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The Geneseo Foundation Undergraduate Research Fellowship allows students to participate in summer research projects with faculty, including grants for research and travel to present at conferences, assistantships, and summer fellowships.
- McNair Scholars Program
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The McNair Scholars Program encourages the pursuit of doctoral study by providing students with opportunities to engage in research-intensive experiences. Students are given mentoring and support throughout their experience, including funding to support student research work.
- Center for Career Design
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The Center for Career Design provides students with personalized support to identify skills, values, and interests, as well as the relationship of those skills to various majors and careers. It also assists students with employment or graduate school search and the application process.
- Study Abroad
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Study Abroad connects students interested in studying overseas with numerous opportunities around the world. Their offices provide resources, advice, support through the application process, pre-departure orientation, advice and assistance while overseas, and post-return support. For more information, please visit the study abroad website or study abroad's first-gen page.
External Resources
Center for First-Generation Student Success
Past Events and Photos
- π September 6, 2024: First-Gen Ice Cream Social
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Event Photos
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- π May 9, 2024: Study Day Grab and Go
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We invited First Generation students to stop by to grab coffee, snacks, energy bars, and more on study day -- and connect with other first-generation students and employees. They joined us from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the College Union Fireside Lounge.
This event was sponsored by the Summit Federal Credit Union, thanks to Laurie Baker '85, member of the SUNY Geneseo Foundation Board.
- π March 6, 2024: First-Gen Brunch
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Event Photos
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- π May 11, 2023: Study Day Grab and Go
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We invited first-generation college students to stop by to grab coffee, snacks, energy bars, and more on study day, and to connect with other first-gen students and employees.
This event was sponsored by the Summit Federal Credit Union, thanks to Laurie Baker '85, member of the SUNY Geneseo Foundation Board.
Event Photos
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Photos provided by professor Jasmine Tang '87, SUNY Geneseo alum.
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- π March 1, 2023: First-Gen Brunch
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We invited first-generation students to stop by the MacVittie College Union Hunt Room on March 1 for refreshments and to connect with other students, faculty, and staff that were first to go to college.
This event was sponsored by the Summit Federal Credit Union, thanks to Laurie Baker '85, member of the SUNY Geneseo Foundation Board.
Event Photos
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First-gen student Julia Roberts with professor Jasmine Tang '87, alum.
