First-Generation College Students

Four staff and faculty represented Elon at First Scholars Leadership Academy to advance first-generation initiatives on campus.

The Scholarship and Opportunities Fair is intended to support historically excluded and marginalized students and feature opportunities designed to support students in learning about and eventually participating in high-impact practices.

Means is currently an associate professor at University of Pittsburgh's School of Education and has a goal to build networks that focus on addressing racial, class, spatial inequities and injustices in education.

Faculty members Brandon Sheridan, Lee Bush and Ilyssa Salomon share their experiences as first-generation college graduates and how to they serve as mentors for current first-generation students finding their way.

Tuesday, Nov. 8 is National First Generation College Celebration and a panel of faculty and staff spoke about their own experiences as first-generation college graduates and the resources available for current first-generation students at Elon.

The $5,000 grant from the North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities (NCICU) will fund the iBELONG Male Mentor Program, which will be housed in the Center for Access and Success. 

The National First-Generation College Celebration was held on Nov. 8 at LaRose Student Commons with several events to honor Elon's first-generation students.

The Odyssey Scholarship Program offers opportunities for students like Jewel Tillman ’21 to become leaders on campus and after graduation. Growing the number of scholarships to produce graduates the world needs is the top priority of the Elon LEADS campaign.

The university’s Odyssey Program resonates with senior Koster Silvernail ’21 and parents Shelby and Andy Silvernail P’21, leading to a generous gift that will help high-achieving students with financial need attend Elon. Support for Odyssey and other scholarships is the top priority of the Elon LEADS Campaign.

A program inspired by the law school’s Alliance of Legal Pioneers and Supporters, with guidance from law faculty and Elon University’s First-Generation Student Support Services, welcomed dozens of participants from around the globe to network and share common experiences.