Effective Fall 2025, DGS will become the Division of Exploratory Studies. Same mission; new name.
You're
FIRST!
PROUD to be FIRST GENERATION
First-Generation College Student Day is Friday, November 8th and DGS is celebrating our first-generation students!
The University of Illinois Urbana Champaign defines first-generation as “neither parent nor guardian have earned at least a bachelor degree” (Source: Campus Profile Glossary, Division of Management Information).
Did you know?
DGS has the second largest number of first generation students in the first-year class. And, we have 749 total first generation students in DGS this fall. Now, that's something to celebrate!
Show your First Gen Pride with DGS!
Are you proud to be a first generation student? Show your #firstgen pride with a digital badge! Add it to your social media content, drop it into your email signature, and don't forget to tag @undeclaredillinois in your posts!
First Generation Staff
Dionne Lipscomb, Academic Advisor
"Being a first-generation student is a title I wear proudly! It shows that I am strong, resilient, and capable of success. In the position I am in today, I am proud to display my first-generation title so that current first-generation students know that they are not alone, and I'm happy to provide the support and mentorship they may need. I am the third in my family to earn an associate's, bachelors, and master’s degree, and I am so proud of those accomplishments. It shows my younger siblings that education is important, and they can accomplish any goal they set for themselves. The sky is the limit!"
Jessica Arnold, Associate Director for Enrollment Management
“I’m a proud first-generation college student! Education has opened so many doors and introduced me to people I wouldn’t have met otherwise. Being first in my family to receive bachelor’s and a master’s degree is something I’m very proud of. I remember what it was like being a first-generation student on campus and the challenges I faced navigating college. I try to bring that into my work each day, making sure students feel connected, seen, and heard.”
Sylvia Puente, Academic Advisor
"I’m proud to be the first in my family to attend college. My family and I were so excited, but I remember also being nervous. I didn’t know what to expect. I didn’t have a roadmap for being successful in college. However, this ended up being an advantage for me because I realized I was stronger than I thought and to not be afraid to ask questions, that it’s important to ask for help when I needed it. As a DGS Academic Advisor, I am so proud to support other first-generation students as they begin their college journey!"
Lauren Stengel, Academic Advisor
“Being first-gen means a lot to me. It is a constant reminder that I can achieve great things despite the obstacles standing in the way. But it is also a reminder that we do nothing on our own. Being first-gen, I had to learn to navigate uncharted waters, and reaching out to resources and asking for help was a major lesson I had to learn. Always lean on your support systems.”