First Generation

First-generation college students often report feeling a lack of belonging on campus or that others don't understand what it means to be first-gen. Vanderbilt University is marking national First-Generation College Celebration Week with a series of events to provide first-gen students with an opportunity to find their community. Read More

The Office for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion and FirstVU, a student-led organization that aims to support, celebrate and empower first-generation students, invite the Vanderbilt community to participate in First-Generation Celebration Day on Monday, Nov. 8. This year’s celebration will be an in-person gathering from 4:30 to 6 p.m. in the Student Life Center Board of Trust Room. Read More

Sonja Ardoin, assistant professor and student affairs administrator at Appalachian State University, will discuss "First-gen is not my Only Identity: Recognizing Intersections" on Thursday, March 4. The talk, part of the Peabody Dean's Diversity Lecture Series, will begin at 7:15 p.m. CT. Read More

The Provost’s Office of Inclusive Excellence has launched the First-Generation Students website, which includes information, resources and support services for first-generation students at Vanderbilt University. Read More

Watch as first-generation college students talk about choosing Vanderbilt University and how they contribute to the cultural and intellectual life of the campus community. Read More

Vanderbilt programs provide strong support to first-generation students as they navigate the uncharted waters of college life. Read More

Vanderbilt Magazine spoke to several members of the Commodore community about their experiences as the first in their families to graduate from college. Here are the stories they shared. Read More

To quote the great Bob Dylan, the times they are a-changing. When I graduated in 1996, Vanderbilt’s admittance rate sat a shade below 60 percent. For this year’s incoming class, it was 11.6 percent. Read More