Breaking Barriers: Supporting First-Generation College Students Workshop

Thank you for your interest in the First-Gen Support Workshop. Our inaugural session was an enormous success, and we look forward to announcing more training opportunities throughout the academic year.

This campus-wide training, first launched by the First-Gen Student Action & Training Team in Spring 2025, is an engaging workshop designed by first-generation students for faculty and staff. The workshop offers a unique opportunity to hear directly from student facilitators and gain practical tools to better support the success of first-generation college students at PSU.

In this training, participants learned to:

Define what it means to be a first-generation college student and recognize the strengths they bring to the university.
Identify common barriers first-gen students face and explore institutional practices that can either hinder or help their success.
Apply culturally responsive strategies to your work with students that affirm first-gen identities.
Commit to actions that build a more inclusive and informed network of campus support for first-gen students.

You can explore the First-Gen Glossary, a helpful guide to words and phrases developed by our First-Gen Student Team, and the workshop slides for a look at some of the resources shared during the workshop.

View First-Gen Glossary

View Workshop Slides

First-generation students make up a vital part of our PSU community, yet many continue to navigate higher education without the same access to resources, networks, or recognition. This training goes beyond theory, offering insight directly from students who’ve lived the experience. When you attend, you’re not just gaining knowledge—you’re showing up for equity, inclusion, and student success.

Learn more about support and resource options for PSU students ›

Portland State University is proudly part of the National First-Gen Forward Network.