First Generation Student Success
First Generation Student Success
At The Chicago School, a first generation undergraduate student is defined as a student whose parent(s)/legal guardian(s) have not completed a bachelor’s degree in the United States. A first generation graduate student is defined as a student whose parent(s)/legal guardian(s) have not completed a master’s or higher degree in the United States.
Did you know? 57% of all Chicago School students self-identify as First Generation Students.
Questions? Contact [email protected].
Join us for First Gen Week!
Celebrate First-Generation Student Week with a full lineup of virtual and campus events designed to connect, inspire, and support our First Gen community.
First Gen Swag giveaway
Show your First Gen pride by grabbing this year’s newest First Gen swag items!
- LA Campus: 12-1 p.m. PT, Student Lounge
- DC Campus: 12-1 p.m. ET, 1st Floor Student Lounge
- Chicago Campus: 12-1 p.m. CT, 3rd Floor Student Lounge
Virtual Trivia Night
Celebrate the start of First Gen Week with an interactive, First Gen themed trivia night!
Virtual | 4 p.m. PT | 6 p.m. CT | 7 p.m. ET
Midday Mingle
Join the First Gen community with a midday mingle! Bring your own lunch, and we’ll provide dessert and board games to take an afternoon break.
- Dallas Campus: 12-1 p.m., Student Lounge
First Gen Swag giveaway
Show your First Gen pride by grabbing this year’s newest First Gen swag items!
- Anaheim Campus: 12-1 p.m., Student Lounge
First Gen Show & Tell
Join us for a fun and informal virtual Show & Tell celebrating First-Generation Student Week! Create a slide show, bring an object, photo, or memento that tells a story about your journey, identity, interests, or what inspires you—and share it with fellow students.
Virtual | 12:15-1 p.m. PT | 1:15-2 p.m. CT | 2:15-3 p.m. ET
First Gen Students in the Library Webinar
Tackling issues first gen students face: difficulty with keywords, how to search and save to a library account, what is peer-reviewed, what is a database, using Google, information evaluation, citations, and learning academic terms/language.
Virtual | 5 p.m. PT | 7 p.m. CT | 8 p.m. ET
First Gen Book Club
The 5th annual First Gen Book Club will be hosted throughout the month of October for all Chicago School community members culminating with a book discussion on Wednesday, November 4. This year’s First Gen Book Club novel is The Chosen One: Triumphs of a Black Girl in the Ivy League by Echo Brown.
Virtual | 9 a.m. PT | 11 a.m. CT | 12 p.m. ET
Midday Mingle
Join the First Gen community with a midday mingle! Bring your own lunch, and we’ll provide dessert and board games to take an afternoon break.
- Anaheim Campus: 12-1 p.m. PT, Student Lounge
- Chicago Campus: 12-1 p.m. CT, 3rd Floor Student Lounge
Thinking about the Thesis
Feeling overwhelmed or confused by the thesis process? Join us for our Thinking about the Thesis series, where we break down the thesis process, expectations, and common questions. For our first event, join us for a 30-minute Thesis 101 presentation to learn the top five things you need to know about the thesis.
Virtual | 5 p.m. PT | 7 p.m. CT | 8 p.m. ET
Panel: Student Reflections & Perspectives
The 2026 Dissertation and Thesis Conference will kick off with an Alumni & Faculty-led student panel, who will share thoughts, advice, recommendations, and guidance on navigating the thesis and dissertation or doctoral capstone processes. This year, the DTC is proud to highlight the experiences of some of our first-generation students who can speak into the unique stressors and experiences of being the first in their families to pursue advanced degrees. Join us for a welcome and introduction to the conference and to learn from and connect to these students, faculty, and alumni as part of the DTC and First Gen Week at The Chicago School!
Virtual | 4-5:15 p.m. PT | 6-7:15 p.m. CT | 7-8:15 p.m. ET
First Gen Last Lecture Series: Sarah Lamkin
Virtual | 10 a.m. PT | 12 p.m. CT | 1 p.m. ET
Midday Mingle
Join the First Gen community with a midday mingle! Bring your own lunch, and we’ll provide dessert and board games to take an afternoon break.
- LA Campus: 12-1 p.m. PT, Student Lounge
- DC Campus: 12-1 p.m. ET, Room 203
Pattiz First Gen Scholarship
The recipients of the Mary and Norman Pattiz First Generation Scholarship will be announced via email. This scholarship recognizes three first-generation graduate students at The Chicago School who demonstrate academic excellence and a strong commitment to their educational and professional goals.
First Gen undergraduate and graduate students who are participating in Commencement are provided an Honor Cord to wear with their regalia. Honor Cords are long, thin, colored ropes with tassels on each end that are worn draped around the neck. These cords recognize First Gen students achievements as a unique group.
At The Chicago School, First Gen Honor Cords are teal and yellow. The teal in the First Gen Honor Cord represents a connection to the past and future. Teal represents inspiration, growth, open-mindedness and uniqueness while encouraging objective and analytical thinking. The yellow in the Honor Cord represents acquired knowledge and continued inquisitiveness. Yellow is an uplifting color that illuminates happiness and hope. It evokes creativity and new ideas, helping to find new paths into the future.
If you would like to wear a First Gen Honor Cord at your upcoming in-person Commencement Ceremony free of charge, please request one on your Intent to Participate in Commencement form.
Faculty and staff who are first-generation and would like to wear a cord at their campus Commencement ceremony should contact their campus Commencement Coordinator.