in support & celebration of first-generation college students at ross
About the Empower & Thrive Initiative
With an estimated 12-15% of Ross undergraduate students in the 2024-25 academic year identifying as the first generation in their families to attend a four-year institution, the Empower & Thrive Initiative (ETI) was developed to support, celebrate, and champion first-generation undergraduate students at the Stephen M. Ross School of Business. Through an asset-based approach, ETI encourages student growth & development during their academic journey through community-building, peer mentorship, resource connection, and transformational co-curricular programming.
The Empower & Thrive Initiative aims to help first-gen students to discover their innate strengths and potential, with community and resources that serve as support alongside their individual growth and development. This program is not one that says “you are underprepared and in need of extra resources;” instead, it says “we know you have unique experiences and skills you bring to the table – let’s hone in on them to support your future direction.”
Our Program Objectives
Enhance first-generation student sense of belonging within the Ross and UM communities.
Provide transformative experiences that build resilience, enhance leadership skills, and encourage the personal growth of each student.
Create educational access and break down the hidden curriculum of higher education & the world of work for first-generation students.
Equip first-generation students with the social, navigational, and cultural capital to succeed in their career journeys.
Check back here in September for the Fall 2026 First-Gen Week schedule!
In honor of National First-Generation College Celebration Day on November 8th, we come together as a first-gen community to share our stories, celebrate our accomplishments, & show our pride for being the FIRSTS during First-Gen Week!
Our events from First-Gen Week 2025:
First-Gen Week Kickoff
Grab coffee & snacks, pick out some first-gen pride gear, and snap a picture to show us why you’re proud to be a first-generation college student.
First-Gen Alumni Office Hours with Cynthia Hammersley
Engage in a one-on-one mentorship conversation with first-gen Ross alum, Cynthia Hammersley.
Ross First-Gen Network (RFGN)
Mass Meeting
Join the Ross First-Gen Network, the new student organizations at Ross for first-generation BBAs, for their first Mass Meeting of the year! Learn how to get involved, share your ideas for first-gen events & workshops, and connect with fellow first-generation college students.
Together in the Journey: First-Gen Family Uplift Experience
This one is for the families & supporters! UM First-Gen Initiatives is hosting an inaugural event for first-gen parents/families and supporters. This event will share information about college life generally, provide an asset-based perspective around the first-gen family experience, and have a discussion time where attendees can share their own experiences, questions, and pride in their first-gen student.
First-Gen Strengths Accelerator with the Center for Positive Organizations
In this Strengths Accelerator, you will deepen your own awareness of your first-gen journey + your strengths, learning how to deploy a strengths-based approach both personally and professionally. Additionally, you will understand and practice how to recognize and elevate strengths in other people & organizations.nts at UM.
Alumni Voices: Navigating First-Gen Journeys to Career Success
Panel discussion featuring first-generation student alumni sharing how they navigated the unique challenges and triumphs first-generation students experience after graduation. This event is co-sponsored by the Alumni Association and First-Gens @ UM.
Operation Graduation
Operation Graduation is a rental event designed to ease the financial burden of purchasing a graduation gown. A limited number of gowns will be available and distributed on a first-come, first-served basis to students who attend. First-Gen students will be able to pick up their First-Gen Stole!