The Bruin Pioneers

You are a valued campus member, and we are thrilled that you are here to learn more about UCLAFirst To Go.

Being the first to go to college can be both empowering and challenging for many students. Without having a parent(s) / guardian(s) who can provide guidance with lessons from their own college years, first-gen students can face a tough road to higher education. But being admitted to UCLA is proof that if you can dream it, you can do it!It is vital to provide the essential resources and guidance to support first-gens through their educational journey. UCLA proudly supports the pioneering spirit of first-generation college students, with over 9,000-plus students self-reported as first-gen at UCLA - which is more than 30% of the undergraduate population.

“Our first-generation students have blazed their own trail to college and bring the kind of drive, ability, and optimism that encapsulates the Bruin spirit. Their journeys to UCLA are as diverse as the students themselves.” - Gary Clark, Interim Vice Provost of Enrollment Management and Executive Director of Undergraduate Admission at UCLA.UPLIFT UCLA FIRST TO GO OFFICE

To help ensure their success and to introduce first-gens to campus resources, UCLA has the First To Go Office. First To Go focuses on the retention and success of all first-generation college students through programming and by creating a community on campus for our pioneers. The resource office offers opportunities for students to interact with first-gen faculty, learn from graduate students how to navigate graduate school processes, and show them that they are not alone in their college journey.

FIRST-GENERATION AWARENESS WEEK - FEB. 20-24, 2023First-generation Awareness Week is a time set aside at UCLA to celebrate the students, staff, and faculty who are part of the Bruin Community and highlight the beneficial resources offered to Bruins across campus. Hosted by First To Go, First-Generation Awareness Week allows UCLA to shine a light on the first-gen identity while celebrating their successes.

We invite you to join some of the many programming offered this week and consider supporting the journey of our first-generation Bruins. Your gift during UCLA's First-generation Awareness Week will help sustain the programming and resources that UCLA Girst To Go Office provides.Join UCLA First To Go as we celebrate the resiliency of first-gen Bruins by supporting our Spark Campaign with a donation!

OUR CAMPAIGN GOAL 

Become a community partner of First To Go and support our trailblazers during First Generation Awareness Week with a gift today! We aim to raise awareness and support for UCLA First To Go with 100 donors to our spark Campaign. Funds raised will support our efforts to purchase graduation recognition cords for seniors. 

Being a first-generation college student is an accomplishment that should be celebrated and recognized. Your gift will shine a light on the resiliency of our first-gen Bruin scholars this upcoming graduation season.

For more information on UCLA First to Go or how to get involved, please contact Natoya Miller at nmiller@support.ucla.edu.

CLICK HERE TO READ THE UCLA FOUNDATION'S DISCLOSURE STATEMENTS FOR DONORS

Should this fund reach the campus minimum required for the establishment of an endowment or quasi-endowment, The UCLA Foundation reserves the right to convert this fund to an endowment or quasi-endowment. Please click here to learn more about how the UCLA Foundation invests and manages its endowments.