Flagship First-Gen

Are you a first-generation college student?

Simply put, are you the first person in your family to go to college?

At the University of Mississippi, we are committed to helping our first-generation college student community thrive. The term ‘‘First Generation College Student” means—

• An individual whose parents/guardians did not complete a four-year degree
• In the case of any individual who regularly resided with and received support from only one parent/guardian, an individual whose only such parent/guardian did not complete a four-year degree
• An individual who does not know the status of parent/guardian’s educational attainment

First-Gen Student Network

If you identify as a first-generation college student, you are invited to be a part of the First-Generation Student Network! Throughout the semester, the Network hosts events and shares resources catered to the first-gen experience. You can learn more about the First-Generation Student Network through the FORUM. The FORUM is your place to discover opportunities at Ole Miss. You can also find information about events, service activities and student organizations.

Come get to know other first-gen students on campus and learn from first-gen alumni.

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Alpha Alpha Alpha Honor Society

Alpha Alpha Alpha (Tri-Alpha) Honor Society is a chapter-based membership organization and promotes academic excellence and provides opportunities for personal growth, leadership development, and campus and community service for first-generation college students.

Induction into Tri-Alpha is earned by outstanding academic achievement (3.2 GPA or higher for undergraduates) and lasts for a lifetime. The Society’s mission is to encourage and reward academic excellence among first-generation college students.

The University of Mississippi is home to the first chapter of Alpha Alpha Alpha in Mississippi and accepts new members every spring. If you would like to know more about becoming a member of Alpha Alpha Alpha, please contact Dr. Ashleen Williams.

First-Generation Events

Each year the University hosts two signature events to celebrate the accomplishments of our first-generation students. On November 8, the university recognizes the annual First-Generation College Celebration day. Each spring, we celebrate the accomplishments of graduating first-generation students at the First-Gen Evening of Excellence. Follow Flagship First-Gen on social media for more updates. 

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Flagship First-Gen Week 2025 

We are excited to announce that the university will celebrate Flagship First-GenWeek 2025 from November 3^rd –7^th, in recognition of National First-Generation College Celebration Day. This annual celebration honors the experiences, achievements, and impact of our first-generation students, staff, and faculty while fostering connection and support across the entire campus community.

This year’s theme, “Flagship First-Gen Forward: Together We Thrive”, reflects our shared commitment to empowering students through community connections, opportunity, and belonging. Throughout the week, we invite all students, staff, and faculty to join us for a week of connection, storytelling, and celebration of the first-gen experience here at UM. 

• Monday, Nov 3^rd – Kickoff Networking Reception
  Time: 5:00–6:30 PM | Location: Center for Inclusion & Cross-Cultural Engagement
  • In partnership with the First-Gen Student Network and Center for Inclusion and Cross Cultural Engagement, this networking reception will officially open Flagship First-Gen Weekwith an evening of connection and celebration. Students, faculty, staff, and alumni will gather for light refreshments, brief remarks from campus partners, and inspiring testimonials from first-gen voices. 
• Tuesday, Nov 4^th – First-Gen Career Journeys Panel
  Time: 4:00–5:30 PM | Location: Career Center Main Lobby and Resource Room
  • In partnership with the Career Center, this program will highlight the diverse paths of first-generation faculty and staff, offering valuable insight and encouragement for students as they think about their own career planning and professional development. 
• Wednesday, Nov 5^th – Pastries on the Plaza
  Time: 11:00 AM–2:00 PM | Location: Union Plaza 
  • In partnership with the Graduate School, this event will serve as a casual drop-in opportunity for students, faculty, and staff to grab a pastry, enjoy coffee or tea, and connect with our graduate school campus partners. The event provides an accessible way for the campus community to learn more about graduate school pathways and available support for first-generation students.
• Thursday, Nov 6^th – First-Gen Block Party & Resource Fair
  Time: 4:30–6:30 PM | Location: The Lyceum Circle
  • In partnership with the Center for Community Engagement, this event will bring together first-gen students and the entire campus community together with a festive evening of music, food, and interactive activities. The event will also feature a resource fair with campus departments and community organizations sharing programs and opportunities for connection and community engagement. 
• Friday, Nov 7^th – FIRST Down Pre-Game Day CelebrationTime: 12:00-3:00 PM | Location: Flagship First-Gen Office Suite (Martindale-Cole 3^rd Floor, Suite Q)
  • This event will close out Flagship First-Gen Week with an informal and spirited gathering for students, faculty, staff, and campus partners. All guests are welcome to stop by anytime to enjoy snacks, games, and small door prizes while connecting with the first-gen community. This relaxed “come-and-go” celebration will also serve as an opportunity to record highlight videos and reflections from the week, introduce attendees to the First-Genteam and office space, and build excitement ahead of Saturday’s Ole Miss vs. Citadel football game. This will be a fun, casual way to celebrate first-gen pride and wrap up an impactful week together.

Email Signatures

The University of Mississippi is home to many first-generation students, faculty, and staff while others are supporters of first-generation students.

Do you want to signal your first-generation status to demonstrate your connection with other first-gen community members at UM? First-generation Students, Graduate Students, Faculty, and Staff are encouraged to add a digital sticker below their email signature, such as:

Download the digital sticker for: Students, Grad Students, Faculty, or Staff. (To download, click the appropriate link, right-click the image, and click “Save As.” Once you have saved the image to your files, add it to your email signature by accessing your email account settings.)

Find Out More

If you would like to know more about our ongoing efforts to support First-Generation College students, please contact our team at flagshipfirstgen@olemiss.edu.