Graduation and Retention Network

2025 First-Gen News

Celebrating Our First-Generation Community: A Week of Empowerment and Connection at USC

Last week, we proudly celebrated our annual First-Generation Celebration Week at the University of South Carolina -- a time to honor, uplift, and connect our vibrant first-generation student community. From November 3-7, we hosted a series of events focused on empowerment, recognition, and belonging.

Living and learning: Eduardo Ajuech-Agreda

September 19, 2025 - Sophomore history major reflects on his experience in the First-Generation Living and Learning Community...

It Takes a Campus: Connecting First-Generation Students to Opportunities and Resources to Help Them Thrive

July 22, 2025 - Building first-gen students’ social capital should be a priority. While mentoring programs between first-year students and upper-class students are a common practice for connecting students with their peers as they adjust to campus—don’t stop there. Go beyond...

USC First-Generation Center appeared on WISTV10 Primetime | June 5, 2025

June 5, 2025 - Dr. LaNaé Budden (First-Generation Center, Director), Melissa Kupfer (First-Generation Center, Assistant Director), and Parth Dave (Junior, first-gen biological sciences major) shared the many benefits the First-Generation Center provides to all first-gen students at USC at the News 10 studios in Columbia, SC.

Epic Games partners with Anne Frank Center in pilot program for Holocaust education

March 17, 2025 - The small group of students in USC’s first generation living and learning community (LLC) who gathered in the warm reception room at the Anne Frank Center on Feb. 21 didn’t know quite what they were getting into. All these students knew was that Epic Games had partnered with the Anne Frank Center to...

Ep. 145: Voices of Student Success: Putting Mental Health Counselors Where Students Are

March 5, 2025 - Hear from Casey Fox, associate director of integrated services from the University of South Carolina, who leads the university’s integrated mental health program...

First-Gen Networking Dinners: Meaningful Connections Over a Meal

February 7, 2025 - Networking is key to career success, but it can be hard to know where to start. First-Gen Networking Dinners provide a relaxed space to connect with professionals, mentors, and...

USC Launches First-Gen Student Advisory Board

February 6, 2025 - USC’s First-Generation Center has launched the First-Generation Student Advisory Board (FG SAB) to amplify first-gen student voices and strengthen support on campus. Formed in December...

Success Program Launch: A One-Stop Shop for First-Gen Excellence

February 3, 2025 - A new initiative at the University of South Carolina unifies assistance for students who are the first in their families to attend college to guide them through...

First Things First: Tailored and targeted support provides a strong foundation for first-generation students

January 9, 2025 - As a first-gen student, Lexi experienced many challenges, but despite these hurdles, she became an active leader by playing a role in the development of the First-Generation Center at the University of South Carolina...

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