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First-gen students at graduation

The mission of the First-Gen Coalition is to actively support and encourage Occidental students who will be the first in their family to attend and graduate from college.

We care about our first-generation students, and we know how much they contribute to our classrooms and community. We also know that they have questions, concerns and a unique set of needs.

At Â鶹ÊÓƵ, we are committed to providing a satisfying living and learning environment for all of our community members. To that end, staff, faculty and administrators embrace and promote a Culture of Care, offering proactive support and tools for success in and out of the classroom.

We want to help our first-generation students effectively navigate the online learning environment, build a sense of belonging and community with peers, build familiarity with valuable campus resources and connect with mentorship. Our programming includes everything from workshops to mixer events to informal, drop-in office hours.

Questions? We would love to hear from you! Email firstgeneration@oxy.edu or Director of Upward Bound, Oswaldo Lopez,

Related Campus Offices and Resources

Student Success Center
Fundamental to Occidental’s mission is seeing each of our students thrive, excel and succeed. And we have a wide range of resources to support you.

SLICE Office
SLICE brings together programs focused on leadership, activities and community engagement in one office to foster a robust student experience on and off campus.

Intercultural Community Center
The ICC seeks to uplift and support the experiences of students who identify as BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, low-income or first-generation college students.

Tiger Access Program
The Tiger Access Program introduces traditionally underrepresented, first-generation and/or low-income students to Â鶹ÊÓƵ's academic and residential community.

Emmons Wellness Center
Emmons is committed to providing our students with accessible, culturally sensitive, and high quality medical care, psychological counseling services, and student-driven wellness education.

Office for Religious and Spiritual Life

ORSL supports Occidental students, faculty and staff in their pursuit of a vibrant and meaningful religious and spiritual life.

Disability Services
Through providing accommodations for students, assisting them with self-advocacy,  academic support and counseling, we are committed to enhancing students’ academic and co-curricular development and independence.

Student Affairs
The Division of Student Affairs at Â鶹ÊÓƵ is committed to providing students with an exceptional co-curricular experience, which compliments and enriches the College’s outstanding academic programs.


The goal of this one-unit course is to provide students with knowledge, skills, resources, and opportunities that will support their academic success.

Contact Student Affairs