The Newbury Center opened its doors in January 2021 with the goal of fostering the holistic success of first-generation students at Boston University—students we refer to as “Terrier F1RSTS.” We aim to become a highly visible, transformative unit of the University, offering programming and services designed to ensure that first-generation students experience the same sense of well-being, belonging, self-efficacy, and academic accomplishment as their continuing-generation peers. The center is primarily funded by an endowment established with funds received from Newbury College, a private liberal arts college that served many first-generation students in nearby Brookline before closing its doors in 2019.
Specific initiatives include:
Part of fostering the first-generation student is providing them resources to help them succeed.
Class Dismissed: When Colleges Ignore Inequality & Students Pay the Price Book Launch and Discussion Saturday, September 28, 2024 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM George Sherman Union (GSU), 2nd Floor 775 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA 02215 Register Here! Join Dr. Anthony Abraham Jack for an engaging discussion on his new book, Class Dismissed: When […]
Recent BU transfer and first-generation college student Jonathan Galdamez sat with BU Today to take readers through his journey to BU. From working at Dunkin Donuts with his mother to creating his own web development company, Galdamez has pioneered his way to becoming one of the newest members of the Questrom Class of 2026. […]
On August 1st, leading adolescent development scholar and fellow first-generation graduate Penny Bishop assumed the position of Dean of BU's Wheelock College. In an interview for BU Today, Bishop shares her experience as a first-generation student and her journey to where she is today. Read the feature here!
The Newbury Center partnered with BU Alum, Mary Alice Stephenson (CGS’87, COM’90), and her nonprofit GLAM4GOOD, to give away clothing and toiletries to 575 first-generation college students. Mary Alice shares in the latest Bostonia about her career and transition to leading a nonprofit organization. Read the feature here!
What is a first-generation undergrad student? A student in the first generation of their family to go to college (i.e., a student whose parents/guardians/caregivers did not earn bachelor’s degrees, although elder siblings and cousins may be attending college already or have earned four-year degrees). What is a first-generation graduate/professional student? A student whose parents/guardians/caregivers did […]
“I'm Excited to Embark on This Journey We Call Life.” - Yadira Cabrera, COM’24 Yadira Cabrera, a College of Communication PR program graduate as of this spring, reflected on her experience as a first-generation college student, the importance of family in her life, and growing into herself at Boston University. Read More.
First-Generation Graduation Pinning Ceremony 2024 Graduation is always a reason to celebrate, but it’s an especially proud occasion for first-generation students. Before Commencement each May, we hold a pinning ceremony to celebrate BU’s first-gen graduates. Each student participating in the ceremony invites a guest—a family member or other supporter—who will have the honor of “pinning” […]
The Newbury Center, alongside The Gastronomy Program, hosted an interactive cooking demonstration and communal lunch designed especially for Terrier F1RSTS to learn practical cooking skills and discover affordable meal ideas that cater to their tastes. Read the feature in the link down below! Read the feature here!