AccessU: First Gen on Campus

Rashné Jehangir smiles fondly at a photo of her first two first-generation focus groups in her office at the University of Minnesota on Thursday, March 14, 2024.

Rashné Jehangir’s extraordinary care for first-generation students

Through her advocacy and achievement, the professor of higher education has become a fierce advocate for the students she believes bring many assets — not deficits.

By Ariana Valentin

Mskwaankwad Rice, an Indigenous graduate student at the University of Minnesota, stands in front of a window in Cyrus Northrop Memorial Auditorium in Minneapolis, Minn., on Thursday, March 14, 2024. Rice is studying Anishinaabemowin in the university’s linguistics department and is currently working on his PhD dissertation.

Reclaiming the Ojibwe language at the University of Minnesota

By Elijah Awada

Daniel Morales, the interim director of classroom climate at the Multicultural Center for Academic Excellence, outside his office in Appleby Hall in Minneapolis, Minn., on Monday, April 1, 2024. Morales works with students and staff to create a more inclusive environment for multicultural and first-gen students.

Daniel Morales builds a university of understanding for first-gen students

By John Henry Sullivan

Jimena Jimenez stands in front of the 3D printing machines at Anderson Labs at the University of Minnesota, on Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2024. Photo by Gabriel Castilho.

First-gen undergraduates find passions and futures as Ronald E. McNair scholars

By Gabriel Castilho

Rahma Ali’s campaign photo for Undergraduate Student Government taken on Saturday, February 24, 2024. Photo by Aisik Das.

First-Gen Student Elected as USG President

By Hadeal Rizeq

Muna Abdulahi performs a poem at the inauguration of St. Paul’s first all-female City Council at the Ordway Center in St. Paul, Minn. on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024. Her spoken-word piece focused on the barriers women must overcome to have their voices heard. (Rich Ryan | richryan.com)

First-Gen alum finds power through poetry

By Jessy Rehmann

Dr. Amelious Whyte in his office in Johnston Hall in Minneapolis, Minn. on Monday, March 25, 2024. Whyte was named Interim Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in the College of Liberal Arts in January 2024.

First-Gen DEI administrator’s impact felt throughout campus community

By Ben Wagner

Michael Rodriguez, dean of the College of Education and Human Development, poses for a portrait in Burton Hall, home of CEHD, on Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024.

Fifth-gen Minnesotan, first-gen dean

By Caleb Fravel

First-Gen on Campus: The Podcast

By Gabrielle Erenstein

News & Views

Who is excluded from being a “first-gen student”?

By Jessy Rehmann

FAFSA delays disrupt financial planning for first-gen students

By Gabrielle Erenstein

Breaking barriers for first-gen student access to mental health care

By Hadeal Rizeq

Direct Admissions Minnesota opens pathways for first-generation students to higher education — but not to the UMN’s flagship campus

By Caleb Fravel

First-generation student enrollments vary across colleges

By Gabriel Castilho

UMN First-Gen Institute’s microgrant program supports first-generation student initiatives

By Ariana Valentin

UMN’s “First Gen Proud” campaign hopes to expand efforts beyond First Gen Week

By Elijah Awada

Upward Bound helps students discover their potential in college

By Amirah Razman

Families First connects first-generation families to UMN

By Fiona Curran

First-Gen Connect empowers and assists students through graduate school

By Ben Wagner

University of Minnesota sees rise in international first-generation students

By Gabriel Castilho

See all

Issues

Survey: The majority of first-gen students feel a sense of belonging but do not feel financially supported at UMN

AccessU: First Gen on Campus survey finds that peer connections are important, academic advising needs improvement and FAFSA delay is causing concerns among first-gen students.

By John Henry Sullivan

Elliot Breazile (left) and Esper Wendell eat lunch at the First-Gen End of the Year Celebration BBQ in Minneapolis, Minn. on Wednesday, April 17, 2024. (Gabrielle Erenstein/AccessU).

Peer connection plays critical role for first-gen students at UMN

Meaningful peer relationships shape the experiences of first-generation students navigating university life.

By Amirah Razman, John Henry Sullivan, Gabrielle Erenstein and Elijah Awada

Are financial resources at the U enough for first-gen students? Many say no.

First-generation students say they struggle with the financial aid application process and face a lack of tailored resources.

Natasha Delion, Caleb Fravel and Jessy Rehmann

University of Minnesota advisers need more first-gen focus, students say

The University of Minnesota’s first-generation student population feels mostly supported by their advisers, but those students want their advisers to help navigate their university experience.

By Fiona Curran, Gabriel Castilho, Hadeal Rizeq, Ariana Valentin and Ben Wagner