Office for First Generation College Student Initiatives
As a First Scholars Institution, Purdue University Northwest celebrates and supports our first-generation students, connecting them with the resources they need to thrive.
Being the First in Your Family to Graduate College.
That’s Powering Onward.
What does it mean to be a first-gen student?
What does it mean to be a first-gen student? First-generation students are defined as students who come from families where their parents or guardians did not complete a four-year college degree.
But first-gen students are more than that. You’re trailblazers. Pioneers. An inspiration to us all.
You can also face doubts, fears and financial challenges as you adjust to life at college.
PNW Impact Recognized
Purdue University Northwest was recognized for student social mobility in U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 annual Best Colleges rankings. Social mobility measures how well institutions graduate Pell Grant recipients and first-generation college students.
Helpful Resources
PNW offers a variety of tools to support students throughout college. Whether you need academic help or want to get involved on campus, we have the necessary resources!
Turn the Tassel Podcast
Turn the Tassel: First Gen Voices is a podcast focusing on the stories, struggles and successes of first-generation college graduates.
Celebrating Your Success
A proud PNW tradition is honoring our first-gen graduates with silver cords as they graduate at Commencement! The special cords are a visible symbol of your commitment, hard work and perseverance.
I didn't realize a lot of the struggles we as first-generation students go through. Coming to PNW, I had no idea there was this much support for first-generation students.
We’re Here to Help!
Our goal is to help PNW’s first-gen students develop relationships with faculty, staff and other offices on campus to drastically improve their quality of life—and their ability to graduate with a degree.
Meet the First-Gen Office
Signature Events
Every month, the Office for First Generation College Student Initiatives organizes a gathering. Each event features a unique theme or topic that is important for first-generation students to learn about, all while having fun!
Being successful in college truly takes a village! This exciting event kicks off at the start of your college journey. Connect with students, faculty and staff. Get tips for how to have an amazing semester from student leaders. This annual event takes place near the end of August each year.
PNW celebrates First Generation College Student Day (November 8) with a week full of celebrations! From celebration, award recognition, featured keynote speakers, and much more, PNW is committed to acknowledging first-gen student excellence.
Every semester, the Office of First Generation College Student Initiatives hosts a graduation celebration for first-generation graduates. This event is dedicated to recognizing the significant milestone achieved by our first-generation scholars.