First-Generation Center at USC

✨ FIRST-GEN SPOTLIGHT: Austin Frazier ✨
“Embrace being the first, even when it feels overwhelming. Your background does not define your limits. Your determination, resilience, and willingness to learn do.”

🎓 Meet Austin Frazier, a Public Relations major and student leader involved with Student Government, the First-Gen Student Advisory Board, and Lambda Chi Alpha.

📣 First-gens, we want to hear your story! Share your journey and be featured in a future First-Gen Spotlight.
Interested? Complete this brief interest form https://bit.ly/4vNgu0U

☀️🎓 Calling all first-generation students! 🎓☀️

Are you spending your summer participating in an internship, conducting research, studying abroad, working toward your goals, or taking part in another meaningful experience?

The First-Generation Center wants to celebrate your journey through our Summer Spotlight Series! 🌟

By sharing your story, you can:
✨ Celebrate your accomplishments
✨ Showcase your experiences
✨ Inspire other first-generation students

📸 Interested in being featured?
Complete the form and tell us about your summer experience:
🔗 bit.ly/first-gen-spotlight

We can't wait to highlight the amazing things our first-gen students are accomplishing this summer! ❤️🖤

A heartfelt thank you to St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church Outreach Ministries for their generous donation to the USC First-Generation Center.

Your support helps us provide essential resources to first-generation students, empowering them to focus on their education and achieve their goals.

Leadership is about creating opportunities for others to grow and succeed. ✨

The First-Generation Center at the University of South Carolina is proud to celebrate Dr. LaNaé Budden, Director of the First-Gen Center, for receiving the 2026 Commitment to Inclusive Excellence Award presented by NASPA South Carolina.

This award recognizes professionals who lead with purpose, advocate for inclusive excellence, and create meaningful opportunities for students to thrive. Dr. Budden’s dedication to first-generation student success continues to make a lasting impact across our campus community.

Congratulations, Dr. Budden! Your leadership inspires us all.

University of South Carolina

Global opportunities should be accessible to every student — and every journey starts with a first passport. 🌍✈️

We are honored to be awarded an IIE American Passport Project grant by Institute of International Education (IIE) to support 25 Pell-eligible students in obtaining their U.S. passports, removing a common barrier that prevents students from considering study abroad.

The program will begin in Fall 2026, so stay tuned for application information and future updates right here!

For more information, please contact:
📧 [email protected]

On Wednesday, Dr. Budden and first-generation student Eduardo A. had the opportunity to speak with junior first-generation students at Brookland-Cayce High School about the First-Gen Center and share college preparation tips for success.

It was inspiring to connect with such motivated students—there’s no doubt they have a bright future ahead.

Special thanks to USC alum Mr. Mantekas for the invitation!

FirstGen Forward recently welcomed the University of South Carolina into its newest class of FirstGen Forward Network Champions. Network Champion institutions are an exclusive group serving as national leaders in advancing first-generation efforts and contributing to an important knowledge base of evidence-based practices, leadership engagement, and scaling student supports.

"We are honored to be recognized as a FirstGen Forward Network Champion,” said Provost Mary Anne Fitzpatrick. “This distinction reflects our strong commitment to supporting first-generation students and building pathways that help them succeed from enrollment through graduation.”

Learn more at https://bit.ly/USCFirstGenChampion

Join us at University of South Carolina Fireflies night at Segra Park on Thursday April 23rd! Register with us (link in bio) to enjoy dinner & a baseball hat in addition to the game. Shuttle service is provided by campus, Carolina Card needed for entry. Dinner is drop in from 6-7:30pm.