Proud To Be First: UB’s First-Generation Initiative

Group of students sitting together and looking towards the left.

Connecting, supporting and guiding first-generation students throughout their college journey.

Being the first in your family to attend college is a huge accomplishment and a remarkable step for your future. The University at Buffalo recognizes the achievements of first-generation college students, faculty and staff. We are showing our commitment to our first-gen population with the ongoing development of resources and tools to build awareness of unique first-gen experiences and to foster a community of individuals just like you.

Proud To Be First supports the academic, social and professional development of first-generation Bulls and their families by providing connections to campus resources, peer mentoring, networking opportunities with faculty, staff and peers, events and more.

What does it mean to be a first-generation student at UB?

At the University at Buffalo, a first-generation college student is defined as a student whose parent(s) or legal guardian(s) has not achieved a bachelor’s degree at the time of the person's first application for admission to the university, or the student’s first application for financial aid at UB.

First-Generation Statistics

Proud to be First

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Isaac Asante
7/21/21
Student
School of Public Health and Health Professions
Favorite inspirational quote: "When life knocks you down, try to land on your back. Because if you can look up, you can get up. Let your reason get you back up." ― Les Brown
Carole Emberton
7/21/21
Faculty
College of Arts and Sciences
“I’m so happy UB is focused on first-gen students and helping them succeed!”
Ashley Godoy
7/21/21
Student
School of Architecture and Planning
Favorite inspirational quote: “People who end up as ‘first’ don’t actually set out to be first. They set out to do something they love.” — Condoleezza Rice
Vivian Jimenez
7/21/21
Staff
Tutoring and Academic Support Services
"There are so many that believe in you. Now you have to believe in you."
Kamontá Heidelburg
7/21/21
Faculty
Graduate School of Education
"You got this. Believe in yourself. Know your worth. Know your abilities. Don’t compare yourself to others. It’s your race. It’s your journey. Be confident. Be bold and be you. It’s okay to dream and to not limit yourself. Don’t let barriers bring you down."
Carl Lam
7/21/21
Staff
Prehealth Advising
“Being first-generation means we’re fiercely independent. However, don’t think of asking for help as a sign of weakness, especially in college. It's a sign of maturity, strength and self-improvement.”
Anthony Ni
7/21/21
Student
School of Management
“Chase your own dreams, not the dreams of someone else.”
Darren Portis
7/21/21
Staff
Undergraduate Academic Advisement
Favorite inspirational quote: “The purpose of education ... is to create in a person the ability to look at the world for himself, to make his own decisions.” — James Baldwin
Stephen Santa-Ramirez
7/21/21
Faculty
Graduate School of Education
Favorite inspirational quote: "There is no thing as a single-issue struggle because we do not live single-issue lives.” ― Audre Lorde
Devyn Szarpa
7/21/21
Student
School of Engineering and Applied Sciences
Favorite inspirational quote: "The secret of getting ahead is getting started.." ― Mark Twain
Jamal Williams
7/21/21
Student
Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
"'If you want to go quickly, go alone. If you want to go far, go together'. Based on my experiences as a first-generation student in higher education, I want to go 'far'."
Jaidyn Wolfe
7/21/21
Student
Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
"A lot of us first-generation students run on motivation and the desire to excel, and that is ultimately what has put me in the position I am in today."