First Scholars Faculty and Staff are voluntary, self-identified first-generation college graduates and professionals who serve as USU faculty, advisors, staff, and administrators who want to support first-generation college student success.
Many current and potential first-generation college students can better relate, converse, and receive feedback from a person in a position of leadership who has experienced similar feelings, challenges, and triumphs to get to where they are.
What They Do
- Self-identify as a first-generation college graduate and accept the invitation to support first-generation college students at USU.
- Attend an annual USU first-generation college student celebration.
- Connect, mentor, and refer first-generation college students to resources both proactively and when approached throughout the year.
Graduation Cap
Become a First Scholars Faculty or Staff Today!
First-Generation Student Advisory Board
Jen Caines
Advising
Melissa Schaeffer
Principle Lecturer,
College of Engineering
College of Engineering
Bonnie Schenk-Darrington
Office of Research
Dr. Chad Simon
John M. Huntsman School of Business
276
self-identified first-generation student faculty and staff
20%
of USU students identify as first-generation students
10
faculty mentors for the first-generation third-year student mentor program