The Office of Graduate Student Life celebrates and supports first-generation graduate students across the graduate and professional schools at Rutgers–New Brunswick. In partnership with academic schools and campus collaborators, we celebrate first-generation identities, foster belonging, and expand inclusive support through intentional programming, community-building opportunities, and shared knowledge.
Who Is a First-Generation Graduate Student?
A first-generation graduate student is someone who is the first in their immediate family (parents, guardians, or primary caregivers) to:
- Earn a Bachelor's degree
- Enter graduate school
- Enter graduate school in the United States
- Navigate the grad school process, with limited or no access to the knowledge of navigating grad school, even if they have a family member who earned a graduate degree.
In partnership with academic schools and campus collaborators, the Office of Graduate Student Life supports first-generation graduate students by sharing resources and creating meaningful programs across our campuses. We focus on:
- Increasing visibility and recognition by celebrating first-generation graduate students, including National First-Generation College Day.
- Highlighting the contributions and elevating the strengths of first-generation graduate students through academic, professional, and community-based programs that highlight the diverse experiences and assets of first-generation graduate students.
- Fostering connection and belonging by bringing together first-generation graduate students through socials, workshops and community-building spaces.
- Sustaining and expanding support by growing inclusive programming across all graduate and professional schools and welcoming student input along the way.
Connect
Join the Rutgers First-Generation Graduate Students GroupMe
Contact
E-mail the Office of Graduate Student Life at gradstudentlife@echo.rutgers.edu for questions and inquiries. We are here to assist you!
First-Generation Graduate Student Coalition Committee
A campus wide committee of student, faculty and staff, passionate about supporting first-generation graduate students' thriving and success at Rutgers, meet monthly to engage in dialogue on strategies for providing intentional support and facilitating community building opportunities for first-generation graduate and professional students. Committee participation is open to everyone.
For further information on involvement, please contact committee co-leads,
Ghada Endick, Assistant Dean Graduate Student Life, Division of Student Affairs, gendick@echo.rutgers.edu
Daniel Rice, Assistant Dean for Student Success and School Climate, Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology (GSAPP), drice@rutgers.edu
Prospective Students
Rutgers-NB Graduate Admissions
Explore Our Programs -- With eight graduate and professional schools across our five distinct campuses, there is a graduate program for everyone. Explore our different schools and learn more about our 200+ graduate programs. Visit our website to explore our programs
Upcoming Events -- Register for Upcoming Information Sessions and/or Drop in to Grad Admissions Virtual Office Hours. Visit our events page for list of offerings.
Signature Events for First-Gen Grad Students
Spring 2026 Events
Frid. 1/30 * Managing Imposter Syndrome and Cultivating Self-Compassion
Friday 1/30 at 1:00pm on Zoom
Hosted by CAPS Community Based Counselor Dana Simons. Join Dana along with your peers, to talk about the impact of imposter syndrome, self-image, and ways to practice self-compassion.
Join zoom, no registration necessary
https://rutgers.zoom.us/j/99638050678?pwd=eb5TK1R9CH22Yz5TBMlrZW3anjb7PU.1
Meeting ID: 996 3805 0678/Passcode: 803940
Sat. 1/31 * First-Generation Graduate Student Welcome Social---Community, Resources & Conversation
Saturday, January 31, Noon – 2:00pm, Graduate Student Lounge, 126 College Ave., New Brunswick
RSVP requested
Join us for a welcoming and social event for new and returning first-generation graduate students and their families. Connect with peers who share similar experiences, meet supportive staff, learn about Rutgers resources, and enjoy lunch and community. The event will also include informal opportunities to share your experiences, ask questions, and reflect on what support matters the most to you. For more information on First-Generation Graduate Student programs visit our website. Questions? Email gradstudentlife@echo.rutgers.edu
Tues. 2/10 * Emotion Regulation, Stress Management, and Cultivating Resilience
Tuesday 2/10 at 12:00pm on Zoom
Hosted by CAPS Community Based Counselor Dana Simons. Join Dana with your peers, as we focus on addressing skills for recognizing and managing stress and emotions, and increasing resilience.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://rutgers.zoom.us/j/97345342356?pwd=Iw22YoT1vGPhwpWzBgxpJJb1TlJ8zH.1
Meeting ID: 973 4534 2356/Passcode: 001198
Graduate Student Affinity Group - Call for facilitators coming soon in February!
Students interested in creating and facilitating a first-gen grad affinity group, please email gradstudentlife@echo.rutgers.edu to express interest and get on the mailing list to receive more information. For more information on grad affinity groups visit our website.
Tuesday 2/17 * Understanding and Navigating the US Education System
Location: Zoom at 12pm
Hosted by Ramazan Güngör, PhD, School of Graduate Studies, Assistant Dean for Professional Development
The U.S. higher education system is incredibly diverse, with many types of institutions that shape faculty work, research expectations, and hiring in different ways. This session will help you make sense of that landscape, enabling you to plan your next career steps with confidence.
What We’ll Cover
1. Institution types: Community colleges, regional public universities, research-intensive institutions (R1/R2), liberal arts colleges, and for-profit institutions, and how each serves its students and communities.
2. How they operate: The essentials of governance, accreditation, and funding, and how these structures influence mission and priorities.
3. Career implications: How teaching, research, tenure and promotion, and service vary across institution types, and what that means for your CV, portfolio, and job search strategy.
You’ll Leave With
1. A clear visual map of U.S. higher education and how different institutions compare.
2. A short self-assessment to help you identify which environments best fit your values, strengths, and long-term goals.
You can see all Grad Career workshops for the semester here:
https://grad.rutgers.edu/professional-development/grad-careercraft/grad-careercraft-tools-diverse-career-pathways. If interested email Ramazan Güngör at rg835@rutgers.edu
Wed. 2/18 * Access Week 2026: Student Access Forum
Wednesday, February 18, 2026, 12:00pm - 2:00pm, College Avenue Student Center MPR
RSVP LINK
Explore insights into retention and graduation of first-generation or Pell-eligible students. Through data and discussion, panelists will forecast what access and college will look like for undergraduate and graduate students and imagine alternative ways to support student access. Panelists include Marco Dinovelli (Assoc. Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management), Daniel Rice (Assist. Dean for Student Success and School Climate), Sean Simone (Vice President of Research and the Director of the Pell Institute).
Part of Access Week: February 16 - February 20. To learn more, visit https://go.rutgers.edu/AccessWeek
Frid 2/20 * 9th Annual First-Generation Graduate Student Virtual Symposium
Tuesday February 20, 2026, 12:30pm - 5pm, Zoom, Cost: $0
REGISTER by 2/16 at 11:59 p.m. ET.
The First-generation Graduate and Professional Student Virtual Symposium is created by first-generation graduate and professional students for first-generation graduate and professional students.
Join the Boston University Newbury Center, Duke University's First-Generation Graduate Student Network, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Grad Student F1RSTS, and us for the 9th Annual Symposium on February 20, 2026, hosted virtually via Zoom.
This national event brings together first-gen graduate and professional students across all disciplines to connect, learn, and strengthen community.
Please register by February 16, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. ET. More details and registration information are available here: https://www.firstgenforward.org/learning-and-events/events/graduate-student-symposium
Check back for additional monthly programs and initiatives that are upcoming.
Fall 2025 Events
First-Generation Graduate Student Welcome Social
Friday, September 12, 2025| 5:00pm – 6:30pm
Location: Graduate Student Lounge, 126 College Avenue (behind Panera Bread)
New and returning first-generation graduate students are invited to a welcome social to meet other first-gen grad students, network with staff and learn about resources. Join us for a pizza dinner, fellowship, and connection! All participants will receive a free Rutgers tote from the Office of Graduate Student Life!
Slice of Connection: A First-Gen Grad Meet-Up
Monday, November 3, 2025 | 11:00am – 2:00pm
Location: Graduate Student Lounge, 126 College Avenue (behind Panera Bread)
In recognition of National First-Generation College Celebration Week (November 3-8), join the Office of Graduate Student Life in the Graduate Student Lounge for a low-pressure drop-in event for first-generation graduate students. Whether you're just starting grad school or deep into the journey, Slice of Connection is your chance to pause, reflect, and build your campus network. Chat with veteran first-gens over pizza and mingle with staff who have also navigated the first-gen grad journey.
This page was updated January 16, 2026
