Are you a first-gen undergraduate student? What’s it like being a first-generation learner at Rutgers? What do you wish your professors understood about your experience as a first-gen student? Are there ways your professors can make your experience better? The SAS Teaching & Learning team wants to center first-gen student voices as we support faculty in designing accessible, equitable, and inclusive courses.

We invite first-generation undergraduate college students to apply to be part of the Being First Collaborative! Applications will be accepted until Monday, October 2nd at 9AM.

Apply here!

Over the 2023-24 academic year, the Being First Collaborative will create a resource that professors across Rutgers University can use to enhance course experiences for first-generation learners. The Being First Collaborative includes first-generation undergraduate college students and members of the SAS teaching and learning team. Through this project we aim to encourage deeper awareness and understanding of the diversity represented in college classrooms and provide guidance on how best to design and deliver courses to support all learners.

Apply to be part of the Being First Collaborative!

  • I am a first-generation college student. Who are first generation college students?
  • I am interested in enhancing understanding between instructors and students in college classrooms for better course experiences.
  • I want to explore ideas on how college classrooms can support all learners.
  • I can commit to 3-5 hours a week (mix of online asynchronous and synchronous activities; in-person activities will be minimal) over the course of the 2023-24 academic year (study breaks, exam periods, and holiday weeks not included; some weeks may be a lighter load and others heavier).
  • I am open to participating in public-facing events to engage with instructors about the resource.

Participants will receive an award of $750 each semester for participation in the collaborative.

Got questions? Email .

Applications will be accepted until Monday, October 2nd at 9:00am.

Being First: An Instructor Resource Co-created by First-gen Learners at Rutgers is funded by a grant from the Educational Equity and Excellence Collaborative (E3C) to produce an instructor-facing resource on how best to support first generation learners in the college classroom.