Drake defines a first-generation student is a college student whose parents/legal guardians have not received a bachelor’s degree from a four-year university.

In an effort to make more connections between first gen students and first gen faculty/staff, we are creating a directory to share on our website that lists our first gen faculty and staff. This was a project we started Fall 2025 that was put on hold due to new website. We are ready to get to work on this again.

If you identify as first generation and would like to be listed on this directory, please email Marina at marina.verlengia@drake.edu by Monday, Oct. 19.

— Marina Verlengia, New Student Programs