About

The Center for First-Generation & Educational Equity’s three-fold mission is to promote educational equity through advocacy, community, and scholarship. We are committed to:

  • Advocating for and providing opportunities that promote the educational access of first-generation, low-income, underrepresented, and nontraditional populations in higher education
  • Engaging in collaborative partnerships that create educational pathways and opportunities for students and project participants through community-building, self-empowerment, and cultural exposure
  • Fostering academic engagement, excellence, and attainment, and advance the scholarly pursuits of historically marginalized populations in higher education

Defining First Generation College Students

Colleges and universities define “first-generation” in various ways. At Suffolk, we use these definitions for the purpose of accessing services in our center.

International students or students whose parents received a degree outside of the United States may participate in select programming.

Students who at the time of their 18th birthday:

  • Resided with two parents and neither parent had completed a bachelor’s degree; OR
  • Resided with a single parent and the parent had not completed a bachelor’s degree; OR
  • Did not live with or receive support from any parent, lived in foster care, were unhoused or experiencing homelessness, or were a ward of the state or the court

Additional Considerations

Students are still considered first-gen if:

  • Their parents went to college and did not complete a degree
  • Their parents completed an associate’s or a certificate program
  • Their parents completed a bachelor’s degree after they turned 18
  • Their siblings or grandparents received a bachelor’s degree

Students with at least one parent who completed a bachelor’s degree by their 18th birthday

First-generation college students who are pursuing/pursued graduate/professional education

Continuing-generation students whose parents did not complete a graduate/professional degree

Questions?

Unsure if you are first-generation? No problem! For questions, email the Center for First-Generation & Educational Equity.

Milestones

2007 The Center for Academic Access & Opportunity established within the Office of the Provost
Federal TRIO McNair Scholars and Upward Bound first funded at Suffolk
2008 Federal TRIO Veterans Upward Bound first funded at Suffolk
2014 Tommy Nguyen becomes first Suffolk McNair Scholar to receive a PhD
2017 National First-Gen College Student Celebration begins
2018 Naming of the First-Gen College Student Conference Room
2021 Suffolk receives First-Gen Forward Designation from NASPA and COE
2022 Director of First-Generation Student Initiatives position created and filled
2023 Center name changed to Center for First-Generation & Educational Equity

First-Gen & Educational Equity Staff

Abraham Peña, PhD
Executive Director
Center for First-Generation & Educational Equity
Principal Investigator, Federal TRIO Programs
Primary Contact, First-Gen Forward designation

Lisa Rivera, EdM
Director
First-Generation Student Initiatives
Primary Contact, First-Gen Forward designation

Samienta Pierre-Vil, MPA
Director
College Access & Postsecondary Success

Bryan Landgren, MEd
Program Director

Natasha Berger, M.S.
Academic & Research Specialist

Samienta Pierre-Vil, MPA
Program Director

Jenna Carpenter
Academic Counselor

Tyrza Milord
Student Support Coordinator

For general inquiries about the Upward Bound program, send us an email.

Nicholas Charrette
Program Director

Jennifer Waden
Associate Director

Ashley Booker
Project Specialist