First-Generation Student

Are you a student whose parents did not complete a four-year college degree? This includes students who have siblings in college, students whose parents received an associate’s degree, or students whose parents received their degree outside of the United States. If so, then you are a First-Generation student and we're here to help you!

OAMI is a key partner in supporting first-generation college students at the University of Michigan and is home to the First-Generation Student Gateway in our office on the 3rd floor of the Student Activities Building.

If you are a First-Generation student, we encourage you to meet Terra Molengraff, Program Director of First-Generation Initiatives.

Connect with Terra

U-M First-Gen Website

Dedicated to everything first-gen at Michigan, this site has what you need to find and connect with resources and the community

Students working in the Gateway

First-Gen Student Gateway

The Gateway is linked to several partner offices and is for all first-generation undergraduate and graduate students and their supporters

A black student speaks during the First-Gen Grad Celebration

First-Generation Student Graduation

Honors and celebrates the accomplishments, traditions, and experiences of the graduating first-generation student community

U-M First-Gen Website

An online showcase of our First-Gen community

Find all the news and happenings for First-Generation Student Initiatives here. Read stories of first-gen students, staff, faculty, and alumni, and see how Michigan continues to lead by supporting students like yourself.

Visit the First-Gen Student Initiatives website

A student holds up a First-Gen t-shirt and smiles

First-Gen Student Gateway

A place on campus for First-Gen students to gather

The First-Generation Student Gateway is a starting point to connect first-generation students to resources. The Gateway is linked to several partner offices and is a home for support for first-generation students.

  • Find resources for first-generation students
  • Connect to partner offices that support first-generation students
  • Meet with Terra and other support staff
  • Study and meet with friends and classmates with complimentary printing

Visit the First-Generation Student Gateway in the OAMI office on the 3rd floor of the Student Activities Building.

Graduation Celebration

Celebrating first-gen trailblazers at commencement

The First-Generation Graduation Celebration honors students' achievements and uniquely complements Michigan's formal commencement. Beginning in 2009 in the living room of Sociology professor Dwight Lang and his wife Sylvia, the celebration has grown to honor all first-generation undergraduate and graduate students every year. 

A female student in cap and gown holds up her fist and smiles at the podium of the First-Generation student graduation

Program Staff

Headshot of Terra Molengraff

Terra Molengraff

Program Director of First-Generation Initiatives

Terra is the Program Director of First-Generation Initiatives. She is a two-time U-M alum and completed her Ph.D. at the University of Minnesota focusing on how colleges and universities support first-generation college students.
Photo of Lexie

Lexie Milukhin

First-Gen Program Assistant

Alexie Milukhin is a first-generation college student and a recent graduate of Michigan State University with a B.A. in Public Policy. She is currently pursuing a M.P.P at the UM Ford School with a concentration in Social Policy.