First Generation Focus

Panelists:
Gil Rogers, Zinch
Matt Rubinoff & Krista D'Amelio, I'm First
Daniel Lugo, Franklin & Marshall College

There's something special about being the first. The first in flight, first man on the moon, and the first African American president. Just like the Wright Brothers, Neil Armstrong, and Barack Obama, first-generation college students are breaking barriers and beating the odds to make it to and through college. Thirty percent of entering freshmen in the U.S. are first-generation college students. Sadly though, only 11 percent will go on to receive a bachelor's degree. With the latest Supreme Court review of affirmative action in higher education pushing colleges to think as broadly as possible about inclusion, many are rightfully turning their focus to first-generation college students. Please join us for a lively discussion about the experiences, trends, challenges and opportunities that face first-generation college students and the institutions that seek to serve them. We will also introduce a new online campaign spearheaded by Center for Student Opportunity to celebrate and support first-generation college students and tell you how your campus can get involved.