Mission Statement

The First-Generation Advisory Committee aspires to establish Wheaton College as a premier destination for talented first-generation students. Convened by the Office of Institutional Equity and Belonging, the committee includes faculty, staff and students. This support network offers academic advising, programming and advocacy to ensure first-generation students thrive academically, professionally and personally.

First-Generation Students

First-Generation is self-defined at Wheaton as someone who is the first in their family to attend a four-year college institution, regardless of domestic or international status, income level or age.

Specifically, a first-generation student:

  • Is the first person in their family to attend and potentially graduate from a four-year college.
  • Comes from a family where neither parent nor guardian has obtained an educational qualification beyond high school.
  • May be from any geographical background, including students from abroad whose parents did not attend college in the United States.
  • Includes individuals whose parents may have pursued non-traditional post-secondary education, attended college but not graduated, or earned degrees that are not equivalent to a four-year college degree in the U.S.

This inclusive definition recognizes the diverse backgrounds and experiences that contribute to the rich tapestry of Wheaton College’s first-generation student body. Visit our Marshall Center for Intercultural Learning and our First-Generation Student Support page to learn how we help first-generation students thrive at Wheaton.

Committee Members

  • Marco Barbone, ’09, Senior Associate Director, Alumni Relations
  • Leonard Breton, Director, Social Justice and Community Impact
  • Cary Gouldin, Humanities and Student Success Librarian
  • Tim Jordan, Assistant Dean, Residential Life
  • Victor Omoayo, Student Success Advisor, Academic Advising
  • Luis F. Paredes, Associate Vice President for Institutional Equity and Belonging
  • Mike Pratt, Assistant Director of Social Justice and Community Impact
  • Raquel Ramos, Dean, Marshall Center for Intercultural Learning
  • Srijana Shrestha, Associate Professor of Psychology
  • Karen Single, Career Navigator, Life and Career Design Institute
  • Geoffrey Somes, Office Manager, Wallace Library

Contact Us

The First-Generation Advisory Committee would love to hear from you! Contact us at [email protected].