Student Success is here for you on your first-gen UMass journey. Check out our resource page for events, recommended resources, and ideas for connecting. Contact us if you have any questions about campus life or your academics. Stay connected to us via Instagram for updates!
Undergraduate Student Success and the First-Generation Experience at UMass
The Undergraduate Student Success Center is dedicated to supporting and celebrating first-generation students at UMass Amherst. Recognizing their vital role in our community's history, we define first-generation students as those without a parent or guardian who has earned a four-year degree. These students bring valuable perspectives, experiences, and skills to our campus. We encourage them to pursue their goals while connecting with others and building a sense of belonging.
Our unit provides programming, services, and resources designed to foster academic and co-curricular success. Supporting first-generation students is a campus-wide commitment, and we collaborate extensively with academic colleges, departments, and Student Affairs & Campus Life. We continuously strive to enhance our initiatives by working with students and using data to inform our actions.
We are also proud to be designated a First-Gen Forward institution by First-Gen Forward, a national organization dedicated to first-generation student success. This recognition reflects the hard work and dedication of many students, staff, and faculty who have led and supported our first-generation initiatives.
If you'd like to learn more about the national movement supporting first-generation college student success, here are some helpful resources: