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First Generation Students

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You belong here.

More than half of Eastern's incoming class is the first in their family to go to college. You're in good company.

If you'll be the first in your family to go to college, you're in good company at Eastern. For the past two years, more than half of our incoming class has been first generation. That's not a footnote. It's who we are.

Being first means you're figuring some things out on your own. How to fill out the FAFSA. What to pack for a residence hall. Who to ask when a form doesn't make sense or a class gets hard. You may not have a parent or sibling who's been through it. But you have us, and you have hundreds of classmates walking the same path.

students holding a shirt and sign that read "Proud First-Gen college student"First-generation students bring the same talent, curiosity and drive as anyone else on campus. What we add is the guidance, the people and the community to help you put it to work.

We've got you from day one.

Eastern is a small public liberal arts university, which means you won't get lost in the crowd. Your professors know your name. Your advisor meets with you regularly. And almost everything you need to succeed in the classroom is under one roof on the first floor of the J. Eugene Smith Library: tutoring, the Writing Center, math help, advising and Opportunity Programs.

Tri Alpha First Gen Honors Society

Support Services

Every office below is free to use and staffed by people who want to see you succeed. Most appointments are booked through Insight, Eastern's scheduling tool, and your advisor can show you how.

Tutoring Services

Free one-on-one and small-group tutoring for your classes, plus help with study skills, time management and test prep. Book through Insight or stop by the Academic Success Center on the first floor of the library.

Writing Center

Trained peer tutors help with any paper for any class, at any stage. Not sure what the assignment is asking? Stuck halfway through? Need to check your citations? Bring it in.

Mathematics Achievement Center

Free, drop-in math help from certified student tutors and math faculty, from algebra through calculus and statistics. No appointment needed. Library Room 130, open six days a week.

Advising Center

Your advisor helps you pick classes, explore majors, adjust to college and find the right office when you need something. First-year students get a dedicated advising team and peer advisors who've been where you are.

Eastern in 4

Every first-year student builds an Eastern in 4 plan: a semester-by-semester map of every course you need to graduate in four years. You'll revise it with your advisor as your goals take shape, so there are no surprises senior year.

Student Employment

Earn money without leaving campus. Student jobs span the library, athletics, research labs, the arts, academic offices and more, with schedules built around your classes. Up to 12 hours a week during the semester.

Financial Aid

The FAFSA, scholarships, grants, loans, appeals: our Financial Aid team walks you and your family through all of it. Every student is assigned a financial aid advisor by last name, so you always know who to call.

Opportunity Programs

Built for first-generation, under-resourced and undocumented students. Opportunity Programs connects you with a dedicated staff, a learning community, regular check-ins and a home base in Library Room 107, from your first semester through graduation.

Library

More than books. Reservable study rooms, research librarians who'll help you find and cite sources, course reserves, interlibrary loan and a place to land between classes. It's also home to tutoring, advising and Opportunity Programs.

Meet first-generation Warriors

These students were the first in their families to go to college. They're also leading clubs, landing internships, studying abroad and heading toward graduation. They're happy to share what helped them, what surprised them and what they wish they'd known.

Cheyenne Crumpler ’26
Social Work

Cheyenne Crumpler ’26

“Being a first-generation college student is a powerful accomplishment. Being the first at anything has its challenges. But having the chance to experience college firsthand allowed space for me to flourish through it all. Eastern prepared me through my hardships. When college seemed to get tough, I learned to push through and make it to the finish line. I learned resilience, strength, and the true meaning of growth.”

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Vianney Escobedo Herrera ’26
Business Administration

Vianney Escobedo Herrera ’26

“Eastern helped me prepare for my future career goals by helping me ensure that I had the experience needed after graduating from college. I am very lucky and fortunate to say that I had a job waiting for me back home upon graduation because Eastern helped me develop the skills and knowledge that employers seek in their applicants.”

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Julia Kaczynski ’26
Psychology

Julia Kaczynski ’26

Julia received her psychology degree with a concentration in mental health counseling. “Many of the professors within the psychology department, whether I had them for one class or four classes, were always welcoming and allowed me to ask them various questions. After graduating, I stayed in touch with some professors and they are gracious enough to continue to offer me advice and guidance.”

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Andrew Miclette ’26
Business Administration

Andrew Miclette ’26

“It's been a privilege to attend Eastern. As a first-generation student I feel like I've especially seen what missing college can look like, in many forms. My dad has been my biggest support and there is no way that I can thank him enough for the time, effort and commitment he has put into getting me through school, especially after the death of my mom.”

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Niall O’Brien ’26
Psychology

Niall O’Brien ’26

“My family helped motivate and support me to achieve my degree from Eastern while being a student athlete. They always instilled a strong work ethic in me and always wanted me to be the first in my family to graduate from college. I owe them everything because without their hard work and sacrifice I would not have achieved this goal.”

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Jonathan Herrera Reyes ’26
Business Administration

Jonathan Herrera Reyes ’26

“At Eastern I was always welcomed with open arms and a wonderful smile from staff, teachers and colleagues. When I first moved in at Eastern, it wasn't easy leaving my family, but they understood and were cheering for me to achieve the dream I always wanted, which was getting this degree. My mother gave me the courage and strength to keep fighting.”

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Jason Salois ’26
Communication

Jason Salois ’26

“During my time at Eastern, if I needed any assistance with figuring out all the financial aspects of going to college, the staff would sit alongside me and help me get through it. Also, during my time in ETV News, we would host a friends and family night, and all of my family members would attend and watch our student-run news broadcast.”

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Muriel Stankeviciute ’26
Psychology and English

Muriel Stankeviciute ’26

“Every opportunity presented to me today can be attributed to my experience at Eastern. Over four years, I was challenged in many ways—whether it was taking rigorous psychology courses or intellectually-stimulating English courses—that ultimately shaped who I am today. I am leaving Eastern as an informed citizen and a better future educator.”

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Amanda Tozatto ’27
Business Administration

Amanda Tozatto ’27

Amanda will graduate with a Business Administration major and a concentration in Marketing, along with a Pre-Law minor. She plans to go to graduate school for her MBA. “I was fortunate to have several faculty members who made a positive impact on my academic experience. They challenged me to think critically, encouraged me to pursue opportunities beyond the classroom, and provided guidance regarding my future career and educational goals.”

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This is just here to take up space.

Questions? Just ask.

Not sure where to start? That's normal, and that's what we're here for. Reach out to any of the offices above, or start with the people below. If you're not sure who to ask, ask us and we'll point you in the right direction.

Office of Admissions
(860) 465-5286
(860) 300-2046 (text)
admissions@easternct.edu

Opportunity Programs
Library, Rm. 107
(860) 465-0095
Monday - Friday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Financial Aid
Wood Support Services Building
(860) 465-5205
financialaid@easternct.edu

Advising Center
Library, First Floor
(860) 465-4526
advise@easternct.edu

Academic Success Center
Library, First Floor
(860) 465-4310
asc@easternct.edu

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