First Gen Alumni Network
UCLA’s First Gen Network serves alumni from all backgrounds, ages and ethnicities whose parents or guardians have not received a four-year U.S. bachelor’s degree. This network is part of a broader UC and campus wide initiative to help first generation students make a successful transition to college life, achieve greater success and raise the visibility of first generation alumni.
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Reach out! You can contact the First Gen Alumni Network directly through the UCLA Alumni Association, located in the James West Alumni Center, or through the contact button below.
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One in three students who enter UCLA identify as First-Gen. First-generation students are resilient and strive for success; however, they face various challenges along the way.
our story
UCLA’s First Gen Network serves alumni from all backgrounds, ages and ethnicities whose parents or guardians have not received a four-year U.S. bachelor’s degree.
Established in 2017, the UCLA First Gen Network is part of a broader UC and campus wide initiative to help first generation students make a successful transition to college life, achieve greater success and raise the visibility of first generation alumni.
In 2019, the network which is the first of its kind in the ten campus UC-system, was recognized with the Gold Circle of Excellence Award from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education. The judges remarked that FGAN “is a timely and impactful program that reaches much further than the classroom. Components of mentoring, professional development, scholarship/philanthropy, and civic engagement made this entry stand out in the category.” Congratulations to everyone who has dedicated their time and energy to developing, sustaining and growing this groundbreaking and impactful network of alumni! Read more here.
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Reach out! You can contact the First Gen Alumni Network directly through the UCLA Alumni Association, located in the James West Alumni Center, or via email at FirstGen@alumni.ucla.edu.
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scholarship and support
One in three students who enter UCLA identify as First-Gen. First-generation students are resilient and strive for success; however, they face various challenges along the way. Affording the increasing cost of higher education is just one of these challenges, but is something that can be supported through the generosity of first-generation alumni and advocates.
UCLA is currently the only UC campus to have established a First Gen Alumni Network (FGAN), and the FGAN board wants to fulfill its mission to provide support to students through scholarships and advocate for the needs of all first-gen students at UCLA. Through this scholarship fund, our goal is to help students graduate from UCLA on-time and have the financial freedom to take full advantage of the extracurricular activities, resources, and traditions that UCLA has to offer. By building this scholarship fund, we will help students make history for their families and themselves.
Mia and Vincent Castillo scholarship
In an example of First Gen Bruins giving back to their community, Ana Esquivel (pictured above), Treasurer for the inaugural board of the UCLA First Gen Alumni Network, the only such network in the entire UC system, has established the Mia and Vincent Castillo Scholarship named in honor of her niece and nephew and to be awarded to First Gen students with financial need in the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music. The scholarship will help defray the costs of books and other essential student needs. For those interested in supporting this effort, you can make a donation here. With questions about the scholarship, please contact v.martinez@schoolofmusic.ucla.edu.
The First Gen Alumni Network board is giving back to help support UCLA Health providers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Treasurer Ana Esquivel just made a donation of 500 Kleervu defogger spray bottles to help keep masks from fogging up.
Thanks to Ana and everyone in our First Gen community for helping others during this unprecedented time. Take care and stay safe!