Celebrating First-Generation Students and Alumni

A proud JSU First-Gen student holds up her "I'm first" buttonDid you know that 34% of JSU's 2022 Freshman class identified as First-Gen?

In their families, they are trailblazers. Brave and determined, open to opportunities. Sources of pride around the family dinner table. Movers. Shakers. Go-getters. They are First-Generation Gamecocks, the first in their immediate families to attend college. Although navigating higher education as a first-gen student can be challenging, they believe that anything is possible, and that their futures are as bright as their determination to persevere and succeed! We agree, and we are proud of and inspired by our First-Gen Gamecocks.

What is First-Gen?

A first-generation college student is defined as a student whose parent(s)/legal guardians have not completed a bachelor's degree.
A JSU first gen student on the Quad
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A First Scholars Network Campus

JSU is a member of the First Scholars Network! “Powered by the Center for First-generation Student Success, the First Scholars Network offers a national model for scaling holistic first-generation student success by engaging and empowering institutions of higher education to radically transform the first-generation student experience, advance academic and co-curricular outcomes, and build more inclusive institutional structures.” (Center for First Generation Student Success, 2023).

Are you the next to be first? We're here to support you every step of the way!


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