We are EdMobilizer, a social impact collective of first-generation students, graduates and professionals who advance socioeconomic mobility by convening networks of community and coalitions of social change
For the past decade, we’ve had the privilege of hosting 1vyG, the largest summit for first-generation and low-income college students in the country. Since its inception at Brown University in 2015, 1vyG has been hosted by institutions such as Harvard, Yale, Princeton, the University of Pennsylvania, and Cornell. In 2024, we brought 1vyG back to Brown, providing an invaluable opportunity for students to connect, learn from each other, and share their stories.
Our work extends beyond the summit. EdMobilizer is focused on building a nationwide network that supports first-generation students in higher education, the workforce, and through policy advocacy. We’re dedicated to creating pathways for students to thrive—empowering them with career development, equipping them with social and cultural capital, and advocating for policy changes that make higher education more accessible.
Through 1vyG and our ongoing efforts, we connect first-gen students with the tools, resources, and networks they need to succeed and drive the change that will benefit future generations. Together, we’re building a future of upward mobility for all.
EdMobilizer facts
9
First-generation summits hosted to date, with seven 1vyG conferences and two offshoots at Duke and Stanford
450+
Students and administrators at each 1vyG conference
30+
Unique colleges and universities which have been represented at 1vyG
3,000+
Students engaged across the EdMobilizer platform
40+
First-generation college student groups affiliated with EdMobilizer
3
National social impact campaigns launched in the last two years
Featured media
The New York Times covers our first 1vyG conference
Former Secretary of Education John King discusses the role of 1vyG in fostering community among first-generation students
The student organizers behind the 1vyG conference at Princeton in 2019 discuss the first-generation experience