Garrett Nagaishi serves as senior director of organizational operations with FirstGen Forward. Garrett’s career in higher education began at Utah Valley University where he was brought on to build I Am First, the institution's first initiative to support and engage first-generation college students. After three years, this initiative had grown into a program that engaged over 2,000 first-generation students annually, and led to UVU being designated a First-gen Forward institution. Since joining FirstGen Forward in 2020, Garrett has developed the framework that has become the FirstGen Forward Network. His experience as both an Expert Guide and a member of the Operations team has given him insight into how FGF can better serve its institutions and those wishing to join the growing Network.

Garrett has a BA in history, and received a Fulbright Scholarship to complete an MA in International Slavery Studies at the University of Liverpool.