I Am First
Participate in I Am First
Our Goals
- Create a visibility campaign of first-generation students, faculty, and staff community at Cal Poly Pomona
- Create access and equity for First Generation College Students (FGCS) through faculty/staff mentorships
At Cal Poly Pomona, you are a first-generation student if you are any of the following:
- A student with neither of their natural or adoptive parents received a baccalaureate degree
- A student who, prior to the age of 18, regularly resided with and received support from only one parent and whose supporting parent did not receive a baccalaureate degree
- An individual who, prior to the age of 18, did not reside with or receive support from a natural or adoptive parent
How do we support our students?
The transition to college is challenging but it can be even more difficult for those who do not have a parent or guardian who is familiar with the college enrollment process and the expectations of campus life. We have a responsibility to help first-generation college students to navigate the university and help them translate the important life skills they bring with them that will support their academic success.
We recognize that first-generation students bring with them a wealth of strengths and skills to Cal Poly Pomona, including:
- Aspirations
- Diversity
- Linguistic Abilities/Bilingualism
- Persistence
- Resilience
Cal Poly Pomona is a First-Gen Forward Campus
This designation from the Center for First-generation Student Success, an initiative of the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA), recognizes institutions of higher education that have demonstrated a commitment to improving experiences and advancing outcomes of first-generation college students. CPP was included in the 2021 cohort of First-Gen Forward colleges and universities.
CPP's I Am First Campaign Wins Telly Award
Cal Poly Pomona's "I Am First" Campaign, led by the Office of Student Success, Equity, and Innovation, recently earned a Telly Award, specifically a bronze in the educational institutional non-broadcast category. This initiative supports first-generation college students, recognizing the unique challenges they face, including navigating the enrollment process without familial guidance. The campaign aims to enhance visibility for first-gen students and offers mentorship opportunities with faculty and staff. The winning video, created by MediaVision and the Department of Strategic Communications, features personal stories from CPP community members, shedding light on the struggles and triumphs of being a first-gen student. The Telly Awards, receiving over 12,000 entries globally, recognized the impactful contribution of CPP's campaign.