What does higher education mean when they say first generation? According to the NASPA’s Center for First-Generation Student Success it is defined as the first student in a family to have attended and completed a bachelor’s degree. However, there are many differences between the definitions of first-generation.
At the University of Maryland, first-generation students are celebrated on November 8th for National First-Generation College Celebration Day. UMD staff have come together to acknowledge the importance of first-gen students by creating a First-Gen Terps website with glossary definitions to help first-gen students with terms they may not be as familiar with in higher education. On this day, we will be hosting celebratory programming at STAMP for first-gen students, staff, faculty, and supporters to engage with.
The Department of Student Affairs alongside other offices offer resources for first- gen students through interest or identity offices in which students can seek support. Depending on the interests, experience, or identity we encourage first-gen students to connect with the following offices/centers:
Leadership & Community Service Learning (LCSL)
Multicultural Involvement & Community Advocacy (MICA)
Office of Multi-Ethnic Student Education (OMSE)
Student Organization Resource Center (SORC) check out student organizations via TerpLink
Student Success Leadership Council
Transfer and Off-Campus Student Life
The Math Success Program (MSP)
Undocumented Student Program - Office of Immigrant and Undocumented Student Life
