SUBJECT:

First Generation Faculty Initiative—Triton Faculty Firsts

We are excited to share a new opportunity to involve faculty members across the university in supporting our growing diverse, first-generation college student population. In collaboration with other UC campuses, we are launching a First Generation Faculty Initiative—Triton Faculty Firsts—asking faculty who were first-generation to identify themselves and share their stories.

We are also exploring the launch of a First Generation Faculty Network that connects faculty across campus to other faculty that are also first in their family to attend and complete college. We envision a host of network efforts such as:
· a speaker series
· support network
· professional development
· peer mentor opportunities among faculty
· mentorship opportunities for students
· raise visibility of allies on campus for first generation students

Your level of engagement in the Triton Faculty Firsts initiative is entirely dependent on the amount of time you would like to devote to the initiative and the manner which you would like to be involved. It can be as simple as wearing a “First Generation Grad” T-shirt at campus events, serving on a First-Generation faculty panel symposium or telling your story for University Communications and Public Affairs. We welcome your ideas as well.

This effort seeks to celebrate the resilience of students who are the first in their families to go to college, normalize the challenges first-generation students face in navigating university life, showcase faculty journeys of triumph and setback, and highlight the wide diversity of backgrounds among all members of the UC San Diego community.

If you are a first generation faculty member, please fill out the following survey, even if you do not have the time to be further involved: https://goo.gl/PGRtnX

Thank you for your consideration.

Juan C. Gonzalez, Ph.D. Vice Chancellor - Student Affairs Frances Contreras, Ph.D. Associate Vice Chancellor - Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Faculty Recruitment and Retention Associate Professor, Education Studies