First-Generation College Students
The Academic Success Center is Georgia Southern University’s leader in First-Generation College Student initiatives. Together, we collaborate with our campus and community partners to provide support through academic and co-curricular programming for our First-Generation College Students. Our team works to support First-Generation College Student success, identify the needs of First-Generation College Students, and connect First-Generation College Students with their Georgia Southern peers, faculty, and staff.
Georgia Southern University defines first-generation college students as students whose parent(s) or guardian(s) did not complete a 4-year college or university degree.
Am I First-Gen?
Georgia Southern University defines first-generation college students as students whose parent(s) or guardian(s) did not complete a 4-year college or university degree.
Q: My parent(s) or guardian(s) started college or university but did not complete their degree.
A: The definition references students whose parent(s) or guardian(s) did not complete a 4-year college or university degree. If your parent(s) or guardian(s) took a few college classes or even completed community college (but not a 4-year college or university degree), you are still considered a first-generation college student (“first-gen”).
Q: My parent(s) attended a 2-year community college.
A: You are first-gen!
Q: My parent(s) or guardian(s) are attending college or university now.
A: You are first-gen!
Q: Other members of my family (step-parents, siblings, grandparents) completed a 4-year college or university degree.
A: If your parent(s) or guardian(s) did not complete a 4-year college or university degree, you are still considered first-gen.
First-Gen Forward
The Center for First-Generation Student Success®, created in a partnership between NASPA and
The Suder Foundation, exists to transform higher education to drive first-generation student success effectively and equitably across education, career, and life.
First-Gen Forward is the nation’s first recognition program acknowledging higher education institutions for their commitment to first-generation student success. The Center for First-Generation Student Success® recognizes institutions for their demonstrated commitment to advancing first-generation student success.
In 2022, Georgia Southern University joined the 2022-2023 First-Gen Forward Cohort.
First-Gen Forward Committee
Corine Ackerson-Jones, TRIO Student Support Services
Leslieann Harris, Academic Success Center
Dr. Nathan Palmer, Department of Sociology & Anthropology
Dr. Dominique Quarles, Inclusive Excellence
Issac Taylor, Student Support Programs
Jessica Williamson, Academic Success Center
Dr. Jennifer Zorotovich, School of Human Ecology
First-Gen Faculty and Staff at Georgia Southern
Student Resources
Campus Resources
- Academic Success Center
- Counseling Center
- Dean of Students Office
- Financial Aid
- McNair Scholars Program
- Office of Career and Professional Development
- Office of Leadership and Community Engagement
- Office of Multicultural Affairs
- Office of Student Activities
- Open Educational Resources
- Student Accessibility Resource Center
- TRIO Student Support Services (Armstong/Liberty)
- University Libraries
Other Resources
- How to Build Your Network as a First-Generation Student
- Understanding Academic Terms and Jargon (handout)
Supporter Resources
Campus Resources
Other Resources
Faculty and Staff Resources
Campus Resources
Other Resources
Alpha Alpha Alpha
Alpha Alpha Alpha (“Tri-Alpha”) is a National Honor Society for First-Generation College Students.
Students qualify for induction into Tri-Alpha if they meet the following criteria:
- The student has earned at least 30 credit/semester hours (or 45 quarter hours) towards an associate’s degree or baccalaureate degree
- The undergraduate student has achieved an overall undergraduate GPA of at least 3.2 on a 4.0 scale.
- Neither of the student’s parents, nor step-parents, nor legal guardians, completed a bachelor’s degree (or, for students at a community college, the parents did not complete an associate’s degree)
- Graduate students who are first-generation students can be admitted if they have completed the equivalent of at least one term of study (9 or more graduate credits) and have a GPA in their graduate program of at least 3.5.
Faculty and staff may be inducted as well. To qualify, they must have met the definition of a first-generation student listed above at the time they completed their bachelor’s degree. Faculty and staff must be willing to serve as mentors for first-generation students.
A small number of alumni and honorary inductees may be initiated each year. To qualify, these inductees must have been first-generation students (using the definition above) when they completed their bachelor’s degree. They must remain connected in some way to the institution which is inducting them— a member of the board or alumni association; the sibling of a current student; a volunteer; a donor; etc.. They must have established themselves in their post-college lives in a manner that can be held up to first-generation students as something to aspire to, and must be willing to mentor first-generation students, if asked. NEW UPDATE: Honorary members need not have been first-generation college students; rather honorary inductees may be first-gen students with some kind of connection to the institution (as indicated above) OR clearly be a first-gen student advocate, mentor, or supporter while maintaining a connection to the institution which is inducting them.
When inducted, initiates receive a certificate of initiation and a pin. Honor cords for graduating students and members of the faculty/staff/alumni are available for purchase at an additional charge.
Interested in joining the next group of initiates? Contact Leslie Harris at lharris@georgiasouthern.edu.
Last updated: 2/2/2024