The formal definition of a first-generation college student is a student whose parents did not complete a four-year college degree. At Emporia State University, we like to also include any student who may self-identify as not having knowledge of how to navigate college. For example, if a parent attended a four-year college in a different educational system outside of the United States; if a student has only had close contact to people with minimal college experience; if a student and/or parent feel that they are unfamiliar with college life — these are diverse ways in which students might identify as a first-generation college student.

There are many students, faculty, teaching staff, alumni, and other staff members at ESU who were the first in their family to graduate college. In fact, you can find someone who is first generation working in almost every office, department, or lab on campus. They can answer questions, provide perspective, and talk about their experience as first-generation students.