2020

1vyG is hosted at Cornell

The sixth annual 1vyG conference was held on the Cornell campus. More than 240 first-generation and lower-income students and 50 administrators from 25 institutions participated. "I wanted to share what we have created with other institutions to learn from each other,” said Natalia De La Caridad Hernandez ’21, who co-chaired the event with Elia Morelos ’21. “Hosting 1vyG reminded me of the most beautiful aspect of our community: we are first, but never alone.”

Following the conference, Cornell was recognized by the Center for First-Generation Student Success for its commitment to improving experiences and advancing outcomes for its first-generation students. Cornell was accepted into First-Gen Forward’s second cohort, which supports higher education institutions implementing evidence-based practices to improve student success.

Cornell has expanded its support over the past two years to include: the creation of the Kessler Presidential Scholars program; new initiatives in the College of Arts and Sciences such as advising seminars, the Pathways Internship Program and Summer Scholars Institute; a mentor program for first-year students in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences; the First-Generation Alumni Summit held at Cornell Tech; Voices Carry, a dinner and discussion group fostering reflection on the first-generation experience; and the First Generation and Low Income Graduate Student Association, formed in 2019.

"I’ve seen so much change in the first-gen experience at Cornell in just the four years alone that I’ve been here. As a freshman, a lot of the programs we have now did not exist,” said Luz Martes ’20, an economics and sociology major from New York City.

EdMobilizer launches the Next Frontier directory to help first-generation college students and professionals enhance their professional network, navigate the workplace and succeed in the workforce

With the support of D. E. Shaw and Sponsors for Educational Opportunity (SEO), EdMobilizer raises funds for its “Next Frontier” initiative to build a professional network for first-generation college students, graduates and professionals.

For many first-generation college students and professionals, navigating the professional world can be a daunting task. They may not have the same access to networking opportunities or the same level of understanding about unspoken workplace norms as their continuing generation peers. Next Frontier aims to level the playing field by providing a supportive community where first-generation college students and professionals can connect with each other, learn from each other's experiences, and gain access to valuable resources and opportunities.