Launched in Fall 2024, the First-Generation Student Success Center empowers first-generation undergraduate students as they navigate their college experience. We exist to bridge gaps in support, especially for those who may not yet be engaged in existing programs or services, and to create an inclusive environment where first-gen students feel seen, heard, and valued.
We recognize the resilience, talents, and cultural wealth that first-gen students bring to the University of Minnesota Twin Cities and work to amplify those unique qualities through mentorship, leadership development, and intentional community-building.
We center student voices in everything we do, ensuring first-gen students are not only supported, but also empowered to advocate for themselves, define success on their own terms, and lead with confidence. By fostering self-efficacy and promoting connection, we help students build the skills and networks needed to thrive in college and beyond.
Using an asset-based and solutions-oriented approach, we provide tailored programs, advocate for equity, and pursue bold, innovative strategies to improve outcomes for first-gen students.
Our mission goes beyond support. We strive to create a lasting impact that ripples out from individual students to their families, communities, workplaces, and society at-large.