Dr. Prisco presenting National First-Generation Day

First-Generation Programs

We are dedicated to supporting first-generation college students at Holy Family University by empowering their unique experiences as the first in their families to attend college. Through engaging and informative activities, recognition celebrations, and future peer mentoring opportunities, we aim to ease each student's transition as they navigate academic, financial, career, and social experiences at Holy Family University.

Our University Definition

Holy Family defines a first-generation college student as the first in their family to attend a four-year university, with neither parent nor guardian having earned a four-year college degree from an institution in the United States.

Our Support for First-Generation Students

  • Activities and events for first-gen Community Building and Belonging
  • Workshops to navigate financial, academic, and career-readiness skills
  • Programs to support first-gen parents, guardians, and other support persons
  • Informative digital resources for first-gen student success

National First-Generation Student Day

Celebrated nationwide on November 8, National First-Generation Student Day brings the Holy Family University community together to honor and celebrate our first-gen students, faculty, and staff yearly.

Students posing for National First-Generation Student Day

Coming Soon! The First-Generation Hub

Coming in the 2026-2027 academic year, the First-Generation Hub will be a dedicated area of intentional student support and connection tailored for first-generation students. The Hub will be a space for first-generation students to empower their unique experiences in higher education through impactful educational and technological resources, peer interaction, and community building, as well as academic- and career-focused mentorship and advising.

The First-Generation Hub will be centrally located on the first floor of the library on the Philadelphia campus, with dedicated space to encourage peer study time and social engagement.

Questions?

For more information, please email firstgen@holyfamily.edu.

Alexis McCue
Director of Tutoring and First-Generation Programs, First-Generation Academic Advisor
amccue@holyfamily.edu
267-341-3210

Sister Marcella Binkowski
Associate Director for First-Generation Programs and Student Support and Learning
smbinkowski@holyfamily.edu
267-341-3432