SUNY Oswego recently earned a competitive grant from the State University of New York to design and implement a new orientation program dedicated to first-generation college students. The initiative will help ensure that students who are the first in their families to attend college feel supported, prepared and connected as they begin their academic journeys.

The funding comes through a SUNY-wide call for proposals inviting campuses to develop comprehensive, evidence-based orientation programs specifically tailored to the needs of first-generation students. The initiative reflects SUNY’s broader commitment to student success, diversity, equity, inclusion and expanding access to higher education.

With around one out of every three Lakers the first in their family to attend college, SUNY Oswego will use the grant to create a two-day overnight First-Generation Student Orientation Program this summer. The program will bring together incoming first-generation students and their supporters for sessions designed to build confidence, foster a sense of belonging and prepare students for the academic and social transition to college life.

Alex Duran, a Laker Leader orientation guide and first-generation student, said that first-gen orientation will help many first-generation students find their place and sense of belonging better. 

“Arriving with peers who share similar experiences makes acclimating to college life easier,” said Duran, who double majors in computer science and in physics. “Having multiple days to really get to know your resources and ask questions on resources students may not be familiar with can be very beneficial to students who may not be familiar with them.”

“The transition to college can be especially complex for first-generation students, who are often navigating systems and expectations that may be unfamiliar to them and their families,” said Justin Dickerson, director of student orientation and family engagement. “This program is designed to create a welcoming space where students can build community, ask questions and gain the tools they need to feel confident and prepared before their first semester even begins.”

Programming will focus on topics particularly relevant to first-generation students, including navigating campus resources, understanding academic expectations, building support networks and developing strategies for success during the first year of college. Sessions will also highlight the strengths and resilience many first-generation students bring with them to college.

Solving first-gen challenges

Duran said a common challenge for students who are the first in their family to attend college is having to navigate the process on their own without traditional points of reference. 

“​​Many first-generation students often have more financial barriers to overcome,” Duran noted. “For example, when taking out loans, banks require cosigners, which first-gen students have difficulty acquiring because of the lack of credit history in their family. As well as paying for college out of pocket, many first-gen students often need to acquire a job, or jobs, while in school, as there isn't much financial stability to fully support the cost of college.” 

A first-gen orientation taking care of these questions can also mitigate risks or challenges that might keep students from enrolling or staying in school.

“Many first-gen students have no financial or emotional safety net if they observe themselves struggling in college,” Duran noted. “There is greater risk and uncertainty when making big life decisions, like choosing one's academic/career path.” 

A first-gen Laker Leader, Duran appreciates the opportunity to connect incoming students with resources across campus that can help them thrive.

“Orientation is meant to introduce students to college resources, and being a Laker Leader, this role helped me become closer with these resources firsthand,” Duran said. 

“As a first-generation student, you must make the most of every opportunity,” Duran added. “By making these connections, I have been able to maintain relationships with these resources throughout my time at Oswego, which has helped me navigate and manage college life more easily.”