We Are First Gen
Office Mission:
The mission of The Office of First-Generation Initiatives is to provide a supportive and welcoming community for all first-generation students and their families by building a campus culture that celebrates and honors the first-generation identity. We connect first-generation students to faculty/staff, resources, and information to help promote academic excellence and sense of belonging from enrollment to graduation.
Definition:
The University of Missouri defines a first-generation college student as one whose parents do not have a bachelor’s degree from a college or university. This also includes students (before age 18) who have not lived with or received support from a parent who has received a bachelor’s degree.
By the Numbers
First Generation
33%
of students nationally
25%
of new Mizzou students (first-time college and transfer)
Events
Success Stories
A Family’s Sacrifice for Success
First-gen college student from Venezuela follows his dreams to Mizzou
Lifesavers
MU Student Affairs Care Team helps first-generation college student settle in at Mizzou
When work meets luck
Published on Mizzou Show Me News August 19, 2021 Jesus Oropeza says he just got lucky, but hard work has a lot to do with it. Growing up in Brookfield, Missouri, Oropeza’s childhood wasn’t always a happy one. He was bullied, sometimes violently. His mom worked hard at a factory and still struggled to make…
Intergenerational dreams
First-generation college student Débora Paez Perez found the right major later in her college career. See how her calling is also fulfilling a lifelong dream of her immigrant mother.
Stay Connected
For Faculty/staff: If you would like to join the FIRST Network Newsletter or collaborate with our office and more, please fill out the form here!