To dispel the idea that they were the only first-generation student coming to campus, we designed and implemented a comprehensive and proactive early outreach strategy in collaboration with our Admissions team, letting our incoming first-gen students know that Oberlin is a community that celebrates their innate value and recognizes their potential struggles.
Oberlin hosts a specific welcome reception just for our first-generation and income-eligible first-year students. This annual luncheon provides first-generation students with an opportunity to meet other first-gen students, faculty and staff in order to create academic connections and make new friends.
Oberlin hosts an annual first-generation and income-eligible student and alumni meet-and-greet event each year during Homecoming weekend. This event allows students to meet first-gen alumni who have had similar experiences and can offer holistic support through networking and internship-related opportunities.
Oberlin expanded its celebratory First-Generation College Celebration Day to a whole week of activities in the fall of 2023. F1RST Gen Week is now a campus-wide event that brings together first-gen students, staff, and faculty from various departments and expands awareness of first-generation identities in our community.
An annual first-generation and income-eligible retreat was implemented in the spring of 2025. This community event creates space for dialogue on the specific challenges first-gen and income-eligible students face on campus, builds opportunities for connection, and gives students opportunities to lean into leadership by running workshops of their own design.
In March of 2025, Oberlin was thrilled to implement the first Alpha Alpha Alpha (a national first-generation honors society) induction ceremony on campus. The Lambda Delta chapter celebrates the academic achievements of our first-gen community on campus and provides opportunities for a variety of events that center academic excellence and lifelong learning.
The design and purchase of first-generation graduation stoles created a further sense of pride and belonging among our first-gen students. Soon, faculty and staff who identified as first-gen were asking for stoles, showing off their first-gen pride too.
Though these are not the only changes that have occurred on campus in regards to first-generation student support in the past three years, they are some of the most impactful. The effect on our first-gen students was meaningful and informative.
“I learned that I'm not alone, and while there's so much diversity among the first-gen community, there are also shared experiences that bring us together. While battling imposter syndrome is a challenge here at Oberlin, having a space just for first-generation and income-eligible (FGIE) students really creates a sense of belonging that I didn't have before.” (Retreat, 2025).
“I got moved by the support, social events, and leadership opportunities for Oberlin students, especially first-generation and income-eligible (FGIE) students. This made me excited about Oberlin even before coming on campus! I am looking forward to coming in and joining a supportive community” (F1RST Things First, 2025).
Community contributes to our sense of well-being and aids in our ability to push through difficult times. It strengthens our resilience and fosters a sense of belonging to something larger than ourselves. For first-generation students, community is no less crucial: in fact, community might be more important to those who may initially feel that they are navigating uncharted waters. A ship with a crew should falter less than one rowing alone.
Learn more about Oberlin College and Conservatory initiatives here.
