IGLAS has contributed to the FirstGen Program since the summer of 2015, initially funding an initiative to outreach to first-year students who are first in their families to attend a four-year institution of higher education. The initial effort in 2015 was coordinated by Professor Roberta Espinoza (Sociology) and Maria Melendrez ’16. The outreach effort included a postcard introducing students to the FirstGen community, a welcome letter with a laptop sticker listing the events that would be held in the fall semester, a phone call to students before move-in day, a family welcome reception during move-in day and a welcome dinner at the beginning of each semester. It also set the stage for the IGLAS FirstGen Intern position that was held by Maria Melendrez ’16 in 2015-16, Maite Cortes-Garcia ’17 in 2016-17 and Hiwet Weldeselase 2018-19
IGLAS FirstGen Interns for 2020-2021
Leeann Nabors
O’philia Le
Jennifer Vidal
FirstGen Staff for 2020-2021
Nigel Boyle
Linda Lam
Shelva Paulse
Program Components
Welcome Receptions | Information Sessions/Workshops | Study Breaks | Senior Recognition Dinner
Mentor Program | FirstGen Interns
Faculty-Student Study Breaks | Newsletter
Sampling of the events that have taken place in previous years are:
Spring 2018
Financial Aid Workshop
Writing Center Workshop
Senior Recognition Dinner
Fall 2017
Family Move-In Day Welcome Reception
FirstGen Welcome Dinner
Career Services Info Session
Fellowships Info Session
Gingerbread House Decorating Study Break
Spring 2017
Financial Aid Info Session
Fellowship Workshop
Senior Recognition Dinner
Fall 2016
Family Move-In Day Welcome
FirstGen Welcome Dinner
Cupcake Study Break
Study Abroad Info Session
Career Services Info Session
Gingerbread House Decorating Study Break