Signature Programs

First-Gen Jackets Peer Mentoring Program

The First-Gen Jackets Peer Mentoring Program, in collaboration with Mentor Collective, is designed to support and empower first-generation students at Georgia Tech by fostering meaningful mentor-mentee relationships. This program pairs incoming first-generation students with experienced first-generation peers who provide guidance, encouragement, and resources to help navigate academic, personal, and social transitions throughout the first year.

First-Generation College Celebration Week

Held in conjunction with National First-Generation College Celebration Day on November 8, this week-long celebration features interactive workshops, panel discussions, networking opportunities, and community-building activities designed to recognize and honor the experiences, achievements, and contributions of first-generation students, faculty, staff, and allies.

Growing Up in Science

Have you ever seen a successful scholar and thought that you don’t measure up because they don’t seem to struggle like you do? The truth is that everyone has difficulties, doubts, detours and failures, but they aren’t usually publicly known. Scholars are often hesitant to talk about the jobs they didn’t get, the manuscripts

that got rejected, the funding that didn’t come through, and other obstacles they’ve faced. The new Georgia Tech chapter of Growing Up In Science is launching a conversation series featuring personal narratives about becoming a scholar, including frank discussion of an individual’s personal career path, no matter how messy. These discussions will focus on past and present struggles that you don’t normally get to hear about in a scholar’s polished official bio. Attendees will have the opportunity to come hear the “unofficial stories” of these scholars’ careers as they share their personal struggles and will be able to ask about how they navigated the difficulties they

encountered. This event is open to anyone in the Georgia Tech community who wants gain a better and more realistic understanding of what becoming a scholar looks like. All are welcome, including undergraduate students, graduate students, staff and faculty.

First-Gen Shadow Program

The First-Generation Shadow Program allows first-generation students the opportunity to learn about careers by shadowing alumni and employers (hosts) in fields of interest. Students gain career insights and guidance while building confidence in networking with professional connections.