Who is a first-generation college student? An individual, neither of whose parents completed a baccalaureate degree or whose parents' degrees were earned in a country other than the U.S. or Canada; or an individual who, prior to 18, regularly resided with and received support from only one parent and whose supporting parent did not complete a baccalaureate degree; or an individual who, prior to the age of 18 did not regularly reside with or receive support from a natural or adoptive parent.*
What is a Trailblazer? We celebrate every single first-gen college student at UNH as a Trailblazer: someone who is the first to make their own way through a new experience.
* If your experience fits this definition but you are not in our Trailblazers Canvas site, please email dawna.perez@unh.edu to let us know so that we can add you and you can start receiving information relevant to first-generation college students at UNH.
We are building a community and an identity around first-generation college students. Here are some ways UNH is doing this:
- A UNH Trailblazers Canvas ‘course’ that is a repository of helpful information and source for hearing about events, activities, and opportunities geared toward first-gen college students (A reference site, no assignments or grades)
- A campaign to identify faculty, staff, and administrators who are first-gen college themselves and who may post a “Proud First-Gen” sticker on their door or laptop, or in their syllabus, to let students know they too have walked that path. Faculty and Staff, fill out the survey below:
Voluntary Self-Identification as First-Gen College
- The presentation of First-Gen Medallions for graduating seniors at The Beauregard Center for Equity, Justice, and Freedom's Celebration of Achievement and Excellence Graduation Celebration each May
- Coordination of program activities and opportunities across campuses and modalities that offer first-gen college students scholarships for experiential learning like study abroad/study away, Semester in the City, Semester of Impact or other high impact experiences, as well as recognition and prize money for creative ideas like the E-Center Challenge, or leadership opportunities within Student Activities or our Colleges
- Library Guides for students and for faculty that contain book titles and resources to support first-generation college students. Dive in!
- Establishment of a chapter of Alpha Alpha Alpha (Tri-Alpha) Honor Society for first-generation college students.
- A First-Gen Mentoring program starting small with a pilot group in Spring 2027!
- National First-Generation College Celebration Day! We celebrate it each year on or close to the November 8 historical signing of the Higher Education Act (HEA) of 1965 by President Lyndon B. Johnson. Food, fun, and fellowship open to all on campus. Are you a Trailblazer?
UNH Trailblazers
UNH Trailblazers is a broad community of first-gen students, with first-gen faculty, staff, and administrators cheering you along the way. Look for "Proud First-Gen" logos in email signatures, and the stickers on doors, laptops, water bottles, and name badges of your peers and people who work at UNH. We all want you to know "You've got this" and we've got your back.
Exciting news!!! Soon there will be a student-led club for UNH Trailblazers! What this means: More activities, programming, and fun ways for your to make friends and build community across campus! Follow our Insta to stay up to date! @UNHTrailblazers
Looking for more Trailblazers content? Check out our Instagram: @unhtrailblazers
