Blog

The term “first-generation college student” was first introduced by the TRIO community in the late 1970s and has since been widely recognized within higher education. Today, approximately 8.2 million undergraduates, or 54 percent of all students, identify as first-generation. Most colleges and universities define first-gen students as those “whose parents or guardians did not complete a baccalaureate degree,” in line with the federal TRIO definition.

Last month, leadership and staff from the 16 partner institutions of the Kessler Scholars Collaborative gathered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania for the annual Kessler Scholars Summer Convening. The Kessler Scholars Collaborative brings together campus partner staff each summer for an annual convening designed to build community, foster opportunities for shared learning, and support the growth and advancement of first-generation students. The 2024 convening was co-hosted by the Collaborative and the University of Pittsburgh, and included representatives from Ithaka S+R, the Aspen…