Finding your people – the ones you vibe with – is one of the best things about college.
Campus Pulse is a fantastic way to discover student organizations and upcoming events across campus. You can read below to learn about first-gen specific communities and networking opportunities.
CMASS (Center for Multicultural Advancement and Student Success)
The Center for Multicultural Advancement and Student Success (CMASS) opened its doors in 2011 to support the student success and sense of belonging of first-generation, students of color, multiracial students, and low-income students. They are the home operating base of UMass Cultural Centers, Success Coaching, and much more.
Whether you are looking for social engagement, guidance in navigating the university, cultural connections, or feedback on your plans for success, CMASS is here for you.
Learn about their programs, support services, community spaces, and upcoming events on their website, and sign up to receive their weekly bulletin here.
FLiP (UMass First Generation Low-Income Student Partnership)
FLiP is a student-run organization focused on creating and maintaining a space and community dedicated to first-generation and low-income college students. Members of FLiP strive to support each other to succeed in all aspects of life – academically, socially, financially, and emotionally. Additionally, they seek to help each other embrace and be proud of our identities as first-generation low-income college students and raise awareness of the positive impact of first-generation low-income college students on the UMass campus. Are you interested in joining? Do you have further questions? Email FLiP at umassflip@gmail.com.
Connect UMass First-Generation Students and Alumni Group
The Connect UMass First-Generation Students and Alumni Group is a virtual space for networking – a fun, safe, supportive, and resource-rich community where students can connect with UMass alums who identify as first-gen. Here, you can participate in mentorship, find job opportunities, learn about upcoming events, and more. Not only is this a fantastic opportunity to build networking skills – it’s also a networking platform that can yield real-world results for future first-gen graduates.
Start building your network now by creating an account on Connect UMass. Once your profile is approved, search for the first-gen group and start connecting!
You can watch the video below to learn more.