There’s real reason to celebrate First-Gen Week annually at UHD, considering 70% of our nearly 15,000 students are first-generation, a significantly higher percentage than both national (54%) and Texas (43.5%) averages.  

This year there is an even greater reason to celebrate from Nov. 3-7: Thanks to a Moody Foundation $300,000 M-PACT Fund grant, UHD is launching its First-Generation Gator Program with a slew of initiatives specifically aimed at first gen students, including scholarships, mentorships, family engagement, financial coaching and wraparound services.   

“As I was a first gen college graduate myself,” says Hope Pacheco, LMSW, Associate Dean of Students and Executive Director of the Gator Resource Center, “this program is near and dear to my heart. Unfortunately, first-generation college students experience lower retention and graduation rates, increased financial need, and unique challenges that hinder academic success. That’s why this program is so needed here at UHD to aid in the work that so many departments have already been doing and allowing us to uplift, expand and fund initiatives that are keeping first gen students in school so they may thrive. This is a collective effort to ensure our students’ success to the finish line: graduation.”  

In addition to the original one-year gift of $300,000, the Moody Foundation recently announced an additional $100,000 to be spent over the next three years. UHD is putting these funds to good use:  

  • The robust programming demands expert management, so UHD’s Student Success and Student Life Division is hiring a program coordinator to oversee the First-Generation Gator Program.  
  • A peer-mentorship program is already underway with 20 first-year students who signed up at the beginning of the semester, each receiving a $1,000 scholarship toward their tuition.  
  • Being launched during First Gen Week is the brand new First-Gen Gator Scholarship, a competitive scholarship available to transfer and continuing students who have a 2.7 GPA or better and at least 60 hours of coursework.  A 600-word essay is also required.   
  • Next semester will see the kick-off of “First Gen Fridays” with faculty- and staff-led conversations, financial coaching, professional development, and family engagement events.   

In celebration of UHD’s trailblazing, first-generation students, the Division of Student Success and Student Life’s Student Leadership and Involvement, Gator Success Institute, Academic Support Center, Legaci, Counseling, Sports and Fitness, and Center for Career and Professional Development are partnering on a series of events for First-Generation Week. For the full list of events, visit the Gator Resource Center’s First Gen Week Schedule.