Boston University

First-Generation

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Arts & Culture

Inner Strength Gospel Choir Finds Its Way Under New Director

April 17, 2025

Photo: A composite image of two different photos. On the left, a group of people are taking a selfie. On the right, a group of people are coloring a large art project

Campus Life

How BU Became a National Model and Destination for First-Generation Students

March 20, 2025

A collage of Boston University student photos.

First-Generation

Celebrating My Achievements as a First-Generation College Student

January 15, 2025

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Student Life

Video: What It’s Like to Be a First-Generation College Student

November 6, 2024

STUDENT PROFILE

Introducing BU’s Newest Terriers: Jonathan Galdamez

September 3, 2024

Photo: A young Asian woman is shown filming using a large black film camera. The small display on the camera shows two young adults in the midst of being filmed for a scene.

Film & TV

BU Student’s Short Film Tackles Mental Health and Family in the Asian American Community

December 1, 2023

Photo: A sign that reads "At the Newbury Center We run workshops, have social opportunities, mentor students, and more!" is shown. To the left of the sign a group of red and white balloons is on display.

Student Voices

POV: As We Observe First-Gen College Celebration Day, a Note of Thanks to BU’s Newbury Center

November 7, 2023

Photo: Vicky Plasencia looks into the camera and gives a small smile. Behind her is a large window looking out onto BU's campus.

PODCAST

New Terrier-Run Podcast Aims to Be a Resource for First-Gen Latina Students

May 8, 2023

A graphic with a blue and green background and text that reads "The 6th annual first generation graduate student symposium"

Graduate Students

BU’s Newbury Center Hosts Sixth Annual First-Gen Graduate Student Symposium

February 23, 2023

Photo: Katarina Quach poses for a photo on November 15, 2022. A young, bald, tan woman with long lashes and wearing red lipstick and a large black, oversized blazer, poses for a photo in front of a dark backdrop. Blurred, green leaves in the foreground at dimension to the photo.

Accolades

COM Student among Inaugural Cohort of Obama Foundation Voyager Scholarship Winners

November 16, 2022

Photo: Teresa Miguel sits and poses for the camera in front of a large water fountain. A Hispanic young woman wearing a long grey maxi dress smiles for the camera.

First-Gen VOICES

POV: My First-Gen Story: In Search of a “Better Future, a Better Life”

November 7, 2022

First-Generation

What I Wish I’d Known as a First-Gen Graduate Student

September 19, 2022

First-Generation

5 Tips for First-gen College Students

September 16, 2022

Photo of Elevate editors-in-chief Kat Quach (COM’24) (left) and Valerie Sanchez Covaleda (CGS’22, COM’24) with copies of their magazine in the Newbury Center. Both sit on the floor in the newbury center, leaning against a blue couch and holding first issues of Elevate open in their laps. Quach is a young Vietnamese-American and trans woman who wears a black blouse and small earrings; Quach has a shaved head and has long black lashes. Sanchez is a young, women of color with long brown hair with blonde highlights. She wears white pants, a green blouse, and gold necklack. Both smile.

First-Gen

Newbury Center Launches First-Generation Student Magazine

July 1, 2022

Photo of Newbury center grads Maelee Chen, from left, Cecilia Jarquin, and Annie Rose Hallett. Chen wears a pink tee shirt and jean short, Jarquin wears a striped blue and white tank top and blue jeans, and Hallett wears a black shirt and light tan pants. All 3 young women stand together and pose for the camera. A white triangle play button is overlaid in the middle of the photo.

Watch Now

Commencement: a Moment of Pride and Achievement for These First-Gen Students

May 22, 2022

Photo of Hector Grande posing for a photo at EPIC. He wears a black, red, and white shirt and black jacket as he gazes to the left amidst mechanical equipment. Photo background has is stylized with a burgundy filter and text on screen reads "My First-Gen Story"

FIRST-GEN

My First-Gen Story: Hector Grande

May 18, 2022

Photo of Tima Dasouki, a young woman wearing a white blazer and knee-length black dress rifling through a rack of business attire.

Student Life

New Professional Clothing Closet Provides Free Dress Clothes to Students Who Need Them

March 18, 2022

Photo of Malika Jeffries-EL, a College of Arts & Sciences associate professor of chemistry and associate dean of the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences, a Black woman wearing an orange sweater and black pants, smiling as she stands on a side walk along Comm Ave. The background has a sketchy, crimson overlay and the words "My First-Gen Story" are behind her in white font.

FIRST-GEN

My First-Gen Story: Malika Jeffries-EL

January 25, 2022

Photo of Brianne Bourne, a first-generation college student. She has shoulder-length braids with brown beads, and smiles. She wears a black shirt and jeans. She stands along the green tracks, and the Prudential building is seen in the distant. Photo has a scarlet, sketchy treatment overlaid and the words "My First-Gen Story" are photoshopped behind her.

First-GEn

First-Generation College Student Story: Brianna Bourne

November 2, 2021

Composite image of six first gen students, from top left clockwise: Tima Dasouki (Pardee’22), Richard Boylan (COM’22), Cheyenne Bailey (SPH ’21), Eduardo Gonzalez (LAW, 2021), Ana-Gabriele Benghiac (MED’22), and Chinamere Igwebuike, (MED'2022)

FIRST-GENERATION STUDENTS

“This Is My Stepping-stone.” 553 BU First-Generation College Students Welcomed into Honor Society

April 29, 2021

“This Is My Stepping-stone.” 553 BU First-Generation College Students Welcomed into Honor Society