"I may be the first, but I won't be the last. Being first means I am open to infinite opportunities, there are no setbacks."
There is some misunderstanding on who is considered a first-generation college student. A first-generation college student at Carolina is a student whose parent(s)/guardian(s) did not receive a bachelor's degree in the United States. That being said, we particularly refer to the question, "Do you feel like a first-gen?" We accept everyone who uses first-generation in their identity as members of our org because we want everyone to feel the comfort and love that UNC offers.
First-generation college students are often unable to turn to their parents for advice regarding all things university. Many people who aren't first gen believe the struggle of college ends with getting accepted to a university, but for many of us, that is only the end of the first chapter of a very long book of struggles. This organization's main purpose is to assist students in ways that family members lack sufficient knowledge on. Run by fellow first-generation college students, we make connections with other campus organizations and departments to diminish some of the stress first-generation students acquire.
For everyone, we have an executive board that strives not only to be a friend, but a resource that provides first gens: a safe space to ask questions, the opportunity to meet others who are dealing with the same issues, and strengthen first-generation students' life skills that they may or may not have learned already. Our motto for the board is, "I may be the first, but I won't be the last. Being first means I am open to infinite opportunities, there are no setbacks."
We aim to provide a community for first-gens, led by first-gens, by hosting events throughout the semester.
We support first-gens by providing them with educational resources to alleviate any issues they may face.
Educating students on how being first-gen impacts their college experience is a crucial role for us.
Our ultimate goal is to help first-gens realize their infinite potential; that they can do anything as long as they try!