At SUNY Polytechnic Institute, supporting first-generation college students is not the work of a single office. It is a shared, campus-wide commitment grounded in visibility, belonging, and action.
We’ve seen firsthand how intentional collaboration can shape a more supportive experience for students who are the first in their families to pursue a college degree. That commitment was recently reinforced when SUNY Poly was named one of 60 new institutions to join the FirstGen Forward Network for 2025-26, a national community dedicated to advancing first-generation student success.
As part of our participation in FirstGen Forward, we’re reflecting on how we show up for first-gen students across every stage of their journey, from application to graduation, and (just as importantly) how we listen to and elevate their voices.
Learning from Faculty & Staff Experience
One of the most powerful ways we learn how to better support first-generation students is by listening to those who have lived the experience. A current SUNY Poly staff member recently shared a reflection that captures a reality many first-gen students know all too well:
“When I think back on my college experience and preparing for college, I was 100% on my own. My family didn’t have a lot of resources, and I wasn’t able to apply to many colleges due to application fees. I had to navigate applying, filling out financial aid forms, getting to college on the first day, and setting up my dorm room all on my own—three hours away from home, feeling completely alone.”
They went on to describe how difficult the transition to college was without mentorship or guidance, especially when academic expectations shifted dramatically from high school to college. Despite being a high-achieving student, receiving a low grade on an early college exam was devastating without someone to help put that experience into perspective.
What stands out most in their reflection is not just the challenge, but the clarity that came later:
“I wish I had known that my experience wasn’t unique and that help was available. It’s crucial for students coming into college to know there are resources to help them navigate everything – from applying, to getting involved, to studying, to graduating, and that it’s okay to ask for help.”
That insight underscores one of the most important truths about first-generation student success: support only works when students know it exists and feel safe using it.
From Support to Belonging
At SUNY Poly, our approach to first-generation student success is rooted in belonging. We recognize that academic support alone is not enough. Students must also see themselves reflected, valued, and supported within the campus community.
To help foster that sense of belonging, we’ve introduced two visible first-generation logos that students, faculty, and staff can choose to wear or display, either on their door, water bottle, laptop, or even in their email signature. One symbol is intended for members of our campus community who identify as “first,” and the other is for those who may not be first themselves but are cheerleaders and champions for those who are.
These symbols serve multiple purposes:
- They allow first-generation students to self-identify and feel seen
- They signal to others that they are not alone
- They empower faculty, staff, and peers to visibly identify as allies and supporters
These simple but meaningful indicators help normalize first-generation identity and open the door to connection, conversation, and community. It transforms support from something students must actively seek into something they can see.
A Shared Responsibility
Our work with first-generation students extends across admissions, academics, student support services, faculty engagement, and campus culture. (And that’s why our First-Gen Advisory Committee is made up of representation from all areas of campus life.) Through collaboration and intentional design, we aim to ensure that first-gen students are not navigating higher education on their own, especially during moments when self-doubt can take hold.
At SUNY Poly, we are proud to formally establish structures, symbols, and systems that help first-gen students feel prepared, supported, and most importantly, that they belong.
To first-generation students who may wonder whether college is “for them”: you are not alone, your experience matters, and your success strengthens our entire community. You belong.
For more information on the services that support SUNY Poly's first-generation students, visit https://www.sunypoly.edu/student-life/student-resources.