The B-FIRST Mentoring Network

This first-generation (FG) mentoring network is for first-generation faculty, staff, alumni, undergraduate students and graduate students, and aims to recruit and retain more FG college students and to foster inclusivity for the FG population on campus; to help enhance the TRiO Student Support Services, McNair Scholars and Educational Opportunity Programs; and to help with campus-wide mentorship for FG college students not enrolled in these programs.

For the past academic year, a creation committee of FG faculty, staff, administrators and a Clark Fellowship recipient met bi-weekly, with Committee Chair Marissa Zelman, assistant director of TRiO SSS, leading.

B-First launched Nov. 8, in honor of the National First-Generation College Celebration Day (the anniversary of the Authorization of the Higher Education Act of 1965), promoted by the Council for Opportunity in Education (COE) and the Center for First-generation Student Success (NASPA and Suder Foundation).

There are currently 79 FG mentors (30 faculty,38 staff/administrators and 11 graduate students), with 84 FG mentees (undergraduate and graduate students).

In collaboration with the Alumni Office, mentor matches will be managed via Chronus. Mentors and mentees to be added to Chronus Mentor Matching Software (with first-generation tag).

A website hosting FG mentor bios and forms to apply to be a mentor or get a mentor can be found online. binghamton.edu/bfirst

There are funding needs to support ongoing monthly FG-specific events like mixers, luncheons, speakers or trips; to enhance the network and foster an inclusive community; to develop branded items to build culture and pride in FG identity and bring awareness to this initiative; for a spring networking event; for an annual FG Celebration Event on Nov. 8.

Funding sources to this point include the Binghamton Fund for Student Life grant, Student Affairs Divisional Diversity Initiative grant, Convocations Fund, kick-off funding support from the Center for Learning and Teaching. There is a need for a more stable source of funding.