PROUDLY FIRST-GENERATION

Are you a first-generation college student? The challenges you face are real — but so are the qualities of resilience, determination and commitment you bring to your academic journey.

At UW-Whitewater, we are first-gen proud — and first-gen Warhawks are not alone. Fully one-third of undergrads are first generation, as are almost two-thirds of the students on our Rock County campus. And 47% of students who transfer to the Whitewater campus and 73% of those who transfer to the Rock County campus are first-gen.

Find out how we support and celebrate our proud Warhawks.

First-Generation College Celebration

UW-Whitewater is proud to participate in the annual First-Generation College Celebration, a national effort led by First-Gen Forward.

Held on Nov. 8, FGCC Day not only champions first-gen students’ contributions to their communities but also seeks to foster systemic social change by dismantling barriers to first-generation student success.

UW-Whitewater’s 2026 First-Gen College Celebration

A celebration at noon on Thursday, Nov. 5, in the University Center
A pop-up exhibit outside Roberta’s Art Gallery Nov. 2-6
Tabling with freebies on both campuses

First-gen Warhawks share their stories

Being the first of your family to attend college has its challenges, but the obstacles you face and the relationships you make will set you up for life. At UW-Whitewater, we are proud of our first-gen Warhawks. Hear their stories and advice for future generations of first-gen students.

Watch video

35% of Warhawks are first-generation

58% of Rock County campus students are first-generation

54% of U.S. undergrads are first-generation

2025 First-Gen Exhibit

In the 2025 First-gen College Celebration exhibit, portraits of 11 Warhawks — students, faculty, staff and alumni — created by photographer Craig Schreiner were presented with the subjects’ own reflections on their experiences.

Kim Clarksen, right, associate director of SAI and alum

“I do see myself in a lot of students as they are trying to figure out where their path is. Their job is not to do everything while they’re here but to find some deeper experiences that will help them understand who they are and help them find how to use their time as they move toward graduation.”

Juan Ojeda Garcia, economics major

“I came here for a program called LLAVE. They spoke everything in Spanish, so my mom was able to understand and I was able to understand. My English was still developing at that point (as a high school senior). It showed me that Whitewater was accessible. It was a lot cheaper than I thought. It was friendly. That opened up the door to a lot of things.”

Brianna Kaptur, first-year student planning to major in criminology and chemistry

“Pursuing a dual degree here feels possible because of the hands-on, supportive approach to classes, which makes taking on more credits both manageable and fulfilling.”

Craig Koenigs, occupational safety major and Army veteran

“My wife and I are on this journey together. She is also a student here at UW-Whitewater. I don’t have much free time working construction, going to school, being in the reserves. But (I am) able to show my family that no matter how late in life you start the process, it’s always achievable.”

Gloria Cornelius, senior art major

“I always knew I wanted to go to college. I knew I wanted to make a better life for my family. My big advice is don’t go home. Staying on campus and building that community is what everybody is here for. To find their community and their tribe. To stay in that space where you voluntarily chose to go, and to find people who want to be there as well, is a very great experience to have.”

Courtney Powers, assistant professor of communication

“My parents always instilled in me that college would be part of my future. Along the way, I was fortunate to have mentors who encouraged me and helped me find my path in college. Now, I strive to be that same source of support for my own students. I view them as co-contributors to our learning environment and love helping them discover their potential.”

Beto Patino Luna, geography and physics major

“As my time at high school came to an end, I made the decision to go into welding. It took me working as a welder to realize I got into it just because of the pay, not for passion. That's why I decided to come here, to find my passion. I want to encourage you to find what you’re passionate about — it’s never too late.”

Lydia Hoffmann, first-year student on the Rock County campus

“College was a dream for my parents and a dream of mine. From college, I believe I will have the resources to be successful. I feel very acclimated and comfortable here. My goal as a first-generation student is to make my parents proud.”

Julie Anding, B.S. in psychology 1990 and an M.S. in guidance and counseling 1992

“Whitewater gave me the setting so I could feel comfortable taking chances. I could explore. I learned that a major doesn’t equal a career. I could study the things I was most interested in and still be fine. I fundamentally believe that education — learning — whether it’s formal or informal, is the key to future success.”

Ali Soumano, business student from Ivory Coast

“I am the first in my family to go to high school and college. Working and getting my (high school) education allowed me to come to the United States. The consistency of not giving up, trying over and over again made me get my visa and come here with the support of my family. They are very proud of me.”

Kiara Rios, psychology major

“There is so much beauty in being a first-generation student, because you literally had no idea what you would be doing (in college) and now you are doing it and teaching other students what to do. Why wouldn’t you want to tell everybody, ‘I was the first one to do it.’”

Resources for first-gen Warhawks

Two student work together at a desk in front of a purple wall.

One Stop: A space dedicated to student success
As a first-gen student, you have questions that need to be answered. One Stop is the place for you. Located in room 129 of the University Center, One Stop is convenient and accessible — we offer one-on-one support either in person or online.

Our office is equipped to help you with everything from financial aid, financial services, scholarships, advising appointments, and course registration to student life and more. If we can’t provide an answer, we’ll connect you — on the spot — to the right office or to people who can assist.

Questions? Contact One Stop at onestop@uww.edu or 262-472-5050.

First-gen Warhawk story: Jaelyne White

Jaelyne White, an entrepreneurship and innovation major from Poynette who earned her BBA in 2024, shares her path as a first-generation college student at UW-Whitewater for the Universities of Wisconsin.

“(At UW-Whitewater) I got to learn what it was to be a first-generation college student coming from a low-income background — not really having a direct pipeline to tutors and resources and mentors was, I think, the best way to start off for me.”

First-gen Warhawk story: Brayden Jones

Brayden Jones, a finance major from Milwaukee, proudly wore a first-generation student stole at commencement on May 11, 2024. A participant in our Hired Before Graduation campaign, Jones was hired as a reconciliation specialist with U.S. Bank in Milwaukee.

"I'm most proud of getting through COVID, continuing my degree, and being a first-generation student."

First-gen Warhawk story: Maria Pacheco

Maria Pacheco’s passion for learning, coupled with her mother’s push to continue her education, led her to enroll at Rock County in 2022.

“URock has a family-like community that really helps students feel like they belong. It’s a supportive environment that helps us transfer successfully to a four-year college.”

Read Maria's story

First-gen Warhawk story: Marco Cortes-Lema

Marco Cortes-Lema, an accounting major, strives to build community on campus and lift his fellow students up in their academics and daily lives.

“Being first-gen comes with challenges, and I don't want students to go through that alone. I want them to know that there's people like me — not only me, but other people that want to help them.”

Read Marco's story

First-gen Warhawk story: Cassie Parrell

Warhawk Cassie Parrell, a music education student, came to UW-Whitewater from Black Earth. Not having close family members who could help was initially hard for her, but she was able to chart her own path and become a much more organized person — even studying abroad in Maynooth, Ireland.

“Having to do everything myself made it clear I was all on my own. And the reality is everyone has their own path, everyone has their own story.”