First-Generation & Low Income

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First-Generation and Low-Income College Student Support at Wheaton

Approximately 20% of Wheaton students are the first in their families to attend college or come from low-income backgrounds…
… and we’re proud of that! First-gen and low-income students are a strong, independent, and self-reliant community and we believe it’s important to recognize their achievements! Wheaton holds a first-gen student awareness week annually to recognize, support and celebrate this identity with events and programming.

Wheaton dedicates staff and resources to support first-gen students with their individual needs one-on-one…
The The First-Generation & Low Income Committee and Center for Social Justice and Community Impact work with Student and Academic Affairs to develop programming for first-gen students every semester. Additionally, a dedicated AmeriCorps Member currently works to develop long-term support structures for first-gen or low-income students to ensure their success at Wheaton.

The Focus on First-Gen program provides events and programs to build the first-gen community and connect students to resources…
In addition to one-on-one academic support and advising, first-gen centered student programming such as networking events, movie viewings, dinners, alumni panels, and performances are all available for students to take advantage of. Additionally, a first-gen early arrival session, Brave, Bold & F1rst, is held in August prior to that start of the academic year to provide students an opportunity to acclimate to campus, develop connections with peers and meet campus resources.

Established by the Base in 2022 in an effort to connect first-generation and/or low-income (FGLI)-adjacent student groups and organizations with one another, The First-Generation and Low-Income Student Collaborative aims to:

increase communication between independently-functioning FGLI organizations on campus
foster the growth of each FGLI member organization through direct support and student input
further, strengthen, and establish a more holistic FGLI community at Wheaton

Organizations currently participating in the Student Collaborative include the First Gen Theme House; Brave, Bold & F1rst LLC; the Ohm Initiative; the Muses, as well as representation from the Class of 2026 and the FGLI Support and Development Intern for The Base.

Connect with us

If you are interested in getting involved with the FGLI Student Collaborative, please reach out to the Campus Compact AmeriCorps VISTA for FGLI Support at ([email protected]).

The Marjorie Judith McNamara Bland’ 62 Emergency Discretionary Endowed Fund
The college understands that not being able to afford some of the costs associated with higher education can cause significant stress and uncertainty, which impacts students’ academic success and personal well-being. The Judy Bland Emergency Fund is intended to cover temporary or unexpected costs and is not a replacement for financial aid. Students can apply at any time. The fund is named for Wheaton alumna M. Judith McNamara Bland ’62 who has been a long-time contributor to an emergency fund for students facing unexpected expenses.

What it means to me to be First Generation

Laurent Tossoukpe '22

Brave Bold & First LLC Peer Mentor

I was born in Togo, moved to Boston when I was 4. I played football in high school and have two younger siblings I have to watch over.

What does first-gen college student mean to you?
Being a first-gen student means you have to deal with everything on your own, and most times you have to depend on yourself because you don’t have any connections to utilize.

Whitney O'Reardon '22

Brave Bold & First LLC Peer Mentor

Hi, my name is Whitney O’Reardon. I’m part of the class of 2022, and I’m interested in studio arts! I have one older sister and I live with my mom in Connecticut. In my free time I love to read. I’m a fan of Doctor Who, Harry Potter, and Lord of the Rings, so I’m a bit of a sci-fy/fantasy geek. Here at Wheaton, I host a radio show on WCCS 96.5 FM, called Broadway Beats, where I play songs from musical theatre and film. I’m very excited to be living in the First Generation Community this coming year!

What does first-gen college student mean to you?
When I was younger, my mother made sure to let me know that amazing opportunities can come to me if I study hard. As a first generation college student, I am helping to pioneer the way, for my family, in higher education. I do have one older sister currently in college, so now, the two of us are getting the chance to share these new experiences with our family.

Ashley Valentine '22

Resident Advisor for Brave Bold & First LLC

I am a Neuroscience major with a Pre-med track. On campus, I am involved with Women in STEM and currently the SJCI Intern.

What does first-gen college student mean to you?
Being a first gen student means being fearless in your ambitions.

Stevent Cleto-Garcia '22

I am from New York City but I was born in the Dominican Republic and moved here when I was 7. I am aspiring to be a Triple major (International Relations, Italian Studies & Linguistics and maybe a minor in Legal Studies). I was selected to be an RA the second semester of my first year. I spend most of my time exploring, cooking and dancing. I love music! I can speak three languages (English, Spanish, Italian and I know ASL).

What does first-gen college student mean to you?
First Gen to me is taking on the world. Doing things that seemed impossible before the time I arrived at my chosen institution. First-Gen to me is the hard work from the people around me to get me to where I am today, me continuing and multiplying that work to make sure I get to where I want to be!

Dolma Tsering Lama '22

My name is Dolma Tsering Lama ’22 and I am from the Himalayas of Nepal. I want to major in Film and New Media since I want to make movies back in my home country. I love Art and Languages.

What does being first gen college student mean to you?
Being a first gen means now, I can give back to my community. I am very grateful for that. Many kids like me are not able to do that even if they want to from where I come from.

Roger Freeman '19

My name is Roger Freeman. I am a senior at Wheaton, majoring in Studio Art. I was born and raised in the Bronx, NY. I enjoy exploring the outdoors when the weather is nice, one summer I kayaked over 200 nautical miles in Southeast Alaska and got to get up close to whales and sea lions.

What does being a first gen college student mean to you?
Being a first-generation college student to me means that I am paving the way for my nephew to go on to college. He is less than a year old now, but I want him to grow up and see that attending a private 4-year college is an option. Also, being a first gen student means that I can show my family that they can too achieve their goals in sight of adversity.

Asaada Craig '22

My name is Asaada Craig. I am deciding between psychology or education as a major with a minor in studio art or Theater. I love to sing! I am the oldest of 4 siblings with age gaps ranging between 6 and 18 years old.

What does being a first gen college student mean to you?
When I think of being a first generation student I think of how I have paved the way for my younger siblings. Having the opportunity to achieve higher education appeared slim at one point in my life, but my perseverance has always been driven by the thought of my dreams and aspirations becoming a reality. I want to send a message to any young student that has a world changing dream wrapped up in their mind, that they can bring all of their brilliant ideas to life no matter how challenging or impossible the road may look. Being a first generation student means being the one to open the doors for those to come and I’m proud that such a role is apart of my identity.

Courtney Bodeen '19

I’m from Southern Maine, a first-year student at Wheaton, I own 6 pairs of crocs and I love to write poetry.

What does being a first gen college student mean to you?
To me, being a first generation college student means taking every opportunity I can get. Being a first-gen student is exciting, and I love to call my family and tell them all about my experiences. I’m very thankful to be able to attend Wheaton.

Heydrick Padilla '19

My name is Heydrick Padilla and I am studying Chemistry and Mathematics at Wheaton College while also completing my BE in Chemical Engineering at Dartmouth College through a Dual degree program. I am from the Bronx, NY. I am passionate about renewable energy and energy storage technology. With my education, I hope to promote renewable energy and eventually become an entrepreneur.

What does being a first gen college student mean to you?
To me, being a first gen student means I have a responsibility to my family, and more importantly to myself, to achieve a degree in higher education. With this degree, I will be able to promote education to my future family as well as younger scholars who are seeking a role model. As a child, I lacked a role model which has driven me to achieve success so that I may eventually become the role model I lacked in my youth. I hope to use my success to promote STEM education to underrepresented identities. I find that leading by example will inspire the next generation of leaders to pursue higher education which will help them figure out their passions and goals.

Ways to get involved as a First Generation student

First-Generation Committee

This is a committee of students, staff, and faculty that seeks to institutionalize resources available to FGLI students and work alongside them to define their space and voice in the community.
Contact: Raquel Ramos [email protected]

Brave, Bold & First

A pre-orientation program that provides students an opportunity to acclimate to campus, develop connections with peers and meet campus resources.
Contact [email protected] or [email protected]

First Generation Living Learning Community

First year living and learning community (LLC) for those who identify as first-generation.
Contact [email protected] or [email protected]

First Generation Theme House

Living option for upperclassmen who are first in their families, or immediate circle of support, to pursue a bachelor’s degree, and/or from low-income backgrounds.
Contact the Faculty Advisor, Srijana Shrestha [email protected]