First Gen Week - Alumni/ae Messages

November 4th marks the start of the First-Generation College Celebration Week! November 8th, 2024 marks 54 years since the signing of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA) and is recognized by colleges and universities as National First-Generation College Celebration Day. 

We want to acknowledge that the first-generation experience and identity look different for everyone. For some, being first-generation means being the first in their family to go to college. Others define it as the first in their family to finish college or the first person in their family to attend a four-year university in the United States.

First-generation also holds meaning for people outside of the college experience. Some Bardians are first-generation Americans, or first-generation voters in the United States. All of these definitions of first-generation come with unique experiences. 15% of Bardians identify as first-generation.

If you identify as a first-generation Bardian, please consider sharing a message of support below to current first-generation students at Bard.