First-Generation Center at USC

First-Generation Center at USC We help first-gen students thrive, connect, find resources, and make the most of their USC journey.

Leadership is about creating opportunities for others to grow and succeed. ✨The First-Generation Center at the Universit...
05/21/2026

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 h...
05/21/2026

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]

05/04/2026

We love to see you shine, first-gen graduates! ✨🎓

Congratulations on all your accomplishments. Keep in touch with us by submitting the First-Gen Spotlight form to let us know about your next big steps and achievements. https://bit.ly/first-gen-spotlight

If you are a first-gen alumnus of the University of South Carolina - we'd love to hear from you too!

University of South Carolina

On Wednesday, Dr. Budden and first-generation student Eduardo A. had the opportunity to speak with junior first-generati...
04/17/2026

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 Ch...
04/16/2026

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 ...
04/15/2026

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.

Congratulations to our 12 students who participated in our eight-week pilot First-Gen Internship and Career Accelerator ...
04/14/2026

Congratulations to our 12 students who participated in our eight-week pilot First-Gen Internship and Career Accelerator Program, hosted in partnership with the University of South Carolina Career Center.

Throughout the program, students learned valuable strategies, including how to search for internships, utilize resources such as Big Interview, Handshake, and Mentorship Hub (all provided by the Career Center), and develop or update their résumés and LinkedIn profiles—among m

Special thanks to Coach Ken Rucker for leading all the sessions and so generously giving his time!

University of South Carolina

March is almost over—but the First-Generation Center still has plenty of opportunities for at the University of South ...
03/26/2026

March is almost over—but the First-Generation Center still has plenty of opportunities for at the University of South Carolina!

03/26/2026

THANK YOU to everyone who helped us reach—and exceed—our $5,000 goal! 💛

We are so grateful for the incredible generosity shown across Maxcy and campus during at the University of South Carolina. Your support truly means the world to us.

While Give 4 Garnet wraps up today at 2 PM, we’re excited to continue the momentum tomorrow at our 4th Annual First-Generation Symposium, where we’ll be joined by our amazing first-gen advocates and supporters.

⏰ Time is running out! You have until March 26 at 2:00 PM ET to make your gift through Give 4 Garnet to support the Firs...
03/24/2026

⏰ Time is running out! You have until March 26 at 2:00 PM ET to make your gift through Give 4 Garnet to support the First-Generation Student Support Fund.

We’ve raised $3,710 of our $5,000 goal — and we’re so close to the finish line!

If you were a first-generation college student, or know someone who is, you understand how meaningful this support can be. Your gift helps provide mentorship, build community, and create career connections that empower first-gen students at the University of South Carolina to succeed and graduate.

Make your impact before time runs out:
https://give4garnet.sc.edu/giving-day/104390/donate?dept=104430

Every dollar brings us closer. Let’s finish strong. ❤️🖤 🤙 University of South Carolina

🤙 Thank you for getting us closer to our $5k goal! We're so close and we see and feel your love and support! 🫶 Donate he...
03/19/2026

🤙 Thank you for getting us closer to our $5k goal! We're so close and we see and feel your love and support! 🫶

Donate here: https://give4garnet.sc.edu/giving-day/104390/donate?des=707601&dept=104430

🗓️ You can donate now through March 26, 2026, at 2:00 PM ET, to make sure your donation counts towards this year's Give 4 Garnet campaign at the University of South Carolina.

Were you a first-generation college student in your family? Or perhaps you know a first-gen student at USC, and you would like to help support their mission toward graduation! makes it possible for you to give directly to the First-Generation Student Support Fund.

Your support strengthens community, mentorship, career connections, and partnerships that empower first-generation students to thrive — boosting retention, graduation rates, and South Carolina’s future workforce.

🩷 Support at: https://give4garnet.sc.edu/giving-day/104390/donate?des=707601&dept=104430

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1332 Pendleton Street
Columbia, SC
29208

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