FGCI is a residential college experience program for 8th-12th grade first-generation high school students who are interested in applying to Georgia Tech. The First-Generation College Institute aligns with Georgia Tech’s goal to expand access to underserved populations, which consists of first-generation and limited-income students. 

 
Nearly 80 students, who identified as first-generation and or limited-income, came to Georgia Tech's main Atlanta campus in June for the program. Students registered for 3-hour STEM workshops led by CEISMC instructors. When registration opened, students swarmed around the student interns to register for the workshops they were interested in. Smiles and high fives were shared among the students who were able to register for a spot in the car design workshop—a crowd favorite. As the registrations filled up, students anxiously waited for their selected workshop to begin. 

FGCI welcomed students from as far as New York and California to metro Atlanta. In addition to the program expanding from a one-day event to a weekend-long residential experience, first-generation and limited-income students were also allowed to tour and meet faculty/staff at five of the six colleges at Georgia Tech.

"The parents and students were so appreciative of the program and the knowledge/experience that they took away from the program,” said Associate Director of First-Generation Student Initiatives Charmaine Troy.” One parent shared that she learned so much that she could use to help her son apply to Georgia Tech this year. Another parent shared that it was wonderful to see an institution like Georgia Tech in the community providing programs to first-generation students and families."

I learned things I had no idea about before,” said rising senior Anahat Bawat. “I got a chance to walk around my dream college. I met amazing people, and the list goes on! 

"Programs like FGCI are necessary and beneficial for first-generation students," Troy continued. “As students and parents continue to reach out after the program, it shows me how impactful the experience has been for them. Of course, programs like these don’t come to fruition without great partners!" 

Thank you to our phenomenal partners for helping make this weekend a success:

• CEISMC: Sirocus Barnes, Ebony Minter, Antonia McClain, Talia Capozzoli Kessler, and Katie Boice
• Office of Undergraduate Admissions: McKayla Bohannon and Leri Argueta
• Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid: LaShonda Baggett-Dority
• Parent and Family Programs: Ashley Arnold 
• College of Engineering, the Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts, the College of Design, the Scheller College of Business, and the College of Sciences for hosting tours and lunch and learns for first-generation students! 
• First-Gen student interns: Lily Huynh Jinxia Loo, Zaria Hardnett, Nick Emery, Jocelyn Le, Allyson Martinez, Samantha Ibarra, Vivian Nguyen, Wesley Lu, and Kendy Lopez. 

Thank you to the parents for believing in the goals and mission of our program and trusting our team with your scholars.