First-Gen College Students
Mission/Purpose
New York Tech strives to recognize, serve, empower, and celebrate our first-generation students when they join our New York Tech community and progress through their academic program.
First-generation programs and resources at New York Tech focus on supporting academic, personal, and professional success throughout your journey toward a college degree. As a member of New York Tech’s community of first-generation students, it is our goal to make you feel confident, connected, and a champion of your first-generation identity.
First-Gen: Who We Are
- Quick Fact: 30% of New York Tech students identify as First-Generation
- Designating the first of a generation to become a citizen in a new country
- Designating the first of a generation to be born in a country of parents who had immigrated
- Designating the first of a generation to graduate from school/university
First-Generation “My Experience” Panel Discussion (Summer 2023)
First-Gen Information Panels
Committee Members
- Francesca Bradley-Hightower, Assistant Director, Undergraduate Academic Advising
- Nicole Calma-Roddin, Assistant Professor, College of Arts and Sciences
- Andy Cornielle, Assistant Director, Career Success
- Bryan Diaz, HEOP Counselor
- Felipe Henao, Dean of Students
- Tiffani Hinds, Associate Provost, Student Engagement and Development
- Kyle Karen, Assistant Professor, School of Health Professions
- Madeline Leonard, Assistant Director, Academic Success and Enrichment, Undergraduate Student Success and Advising
- Maria Lombardo, Assistant Director, Admissions
- Sung Park, Assistant Professor, School of Architecture and Design
- Monika Rohde, Senior Associate Dean, Undergraduate Student Success and Advising
- Yllka Valdez, Student, College of Arts and Sciences
- Maite Naranjo Velastegui, Student, School of Architecture and Design
- Michelle Villalon, Student, School of Architecture
Faculty Committee Members
- Rosemary Burgos-Mira, Director, Public and Technical Services/Librarian III
- Marta Caldeira, Assistant Professor, School of Architecture and Design
- Xueqing Huang, Assistant Professor, College of Engineering and Computing Sciences
- Melissa Huey, Professor, College of Arts and Sciences
- Ellen Katz, Professor, College of Arts and Sciences
- Niharika Nath, Professor, College of Arts and Sciences
- Amerigo Rossi, Associate Professor, School of Health Professions
Join Our Community/Get Involved
Are you a student who is interested in joining our first-generation student interest group? Sign up here.
Contact Us/Ask a Question
firstgen@nyit.edu
Instagram: @newyorktechfirstgen
FAQs
A first-generation student is typically considered a student who comes from a family where their parents/guardians did not complete a four-year college degree. For our purposes at New York Tech, we also include students with parents who completed a four-year degree at an institution outside the U.S. as part of this definition.
New York Tech strives to provide resources and services that help students to succeed academically and ultimately professionally, beyond New York Tech. Some of those resources and services include personalized academic advising, financial aid counseling, mental health and wellness support, and career development.
Most students pick their major based on their passions, what piques their curiosity, or what they’re good at. When facing indecision with this, your academic advisor and the Office of Undergraduate Academic Advising are great resources to help make that final decision.
You don’t have to have your life mapped out from day one; and even if you do, you can always change direction as you learn and grow. The Office of Career Success and Experiential Education helps students develop the key competencies necessary to make informed decisions and take the necessary steps to achieve their career goals. Through workshops, programs, and individual appointments, our team supports students like you during important career-related decisions—from exploring majors and careers to connecting with employers recruiting New York Tech talent for internships and jobs. Get connected with Career Services by:
Activating your Handshake account. Handshake is the #1 way college students find jobs. Log in to explore career options, find jobs and internships, join networking events, and connect with peers and employers. Read this article for tips that will put you on track to landing your next opportunity.
Dropping in, making an appointment, and getting acquainted with us. Students who are interested in career advisement may schedule an appointment via Handshake or “stop by” Virtual Drop-in Hours. Whether you are just starting to think about your career or beginning to prepare to pursue a specific direction, our team tailors these appointments to meet your unique needs.
Financial Aid Resources
- Understand your eligibility for financial aid and how to apply
- Watch these helpful videos on filing the FAFSA
- Available Scholarships
- Check out our scholarship page and list of private scholarships
- Points of Contact
- Financial Aid: Christine Lanieri, Associate Director – clanieri@nyit.edu or 516.686.7966
- Bursar: Betty Ann Rizzo, Director – brizzo@nyit.edu or 516.686.1087
New York Tech Career Resources
Traitify is a personality and career assessment tool that gives you deep insight on your core values and character. It’s fast, accurate, fun, and easy to take. Sign-in using your New York Tech email address (name@nyit.edu), and when you’re done, contact career services to discuss your results.
O*NET is an online database that describes careers in terms of the skills and knowledge required, how the work is performed, and typical work settings.
Whether you’re exploring majors or searching for information about your chosen field, this website will help you connect majors to careers. Learn about typical career areas and types of employers that hire people with each major, as well as strategies to make you a more marketable candidate.
This timeline breaks down how you should use our career resources each year at New York Tech. You’ll learn how to plan your time, build a well-rounded academic experience, and lay the foundations of a successful career.
Additional Resources
Americal Needs You is a professional organization that fights for economic mobility for ambitious, first-generation college students. They do this by providing transformative mentorship and intensive career development.
First in the Family provides educational information from first-generation college students, for first-generation college students.
First Scholars Network institutions are represented by dedicated professionals prepared to share evidence-based practices and resources, address challenges, generate knowledge, and continue to advance the success of first-generation students.
A national organization founded in 1968, CLEO seeks to expand opportunities for minority and low-income students to attend law school. Since its inception, more than 10,000 students have participated in CLEO’s programs and joined the legal profession.
I’m First is a community supporting first-gen students, created by the nonprofit Center for Student Opportunity, to provide students who lack a family history of higher education with inspiration, information, and support on the road to and through college. It is now an initiative of Strive for College—a national nonprofit that also runs a national online mentoring program for college-bound students.
A one-year intensive training program, featuring six months of skills training and a six-month internship at more than 250 top companies. Founded in 2000, Year Up is dedicated to closing the skills gap and the Opportunity Divide by ensuring that young adults gain the skills, experiences, and support that will empower them to reach their potential through careers and higher education.
The Center for First-generation Student Success helps colleges and universities to help you succeed as a first-gen student.