Building community is one of the most important parts of the student experience at Emory and a key focus of the university’s Student Flourishing initiative. Coinciding with the opening of the identity spaces in Cox Hall this fall, Emory Campus Life is adding a new office to Belonging and Community Justice, called Emory First.
Physically located on the third floor of Cox Hall, Emory First serves as a central hub for first-generation students and students from low- and limited-income backgrounds, extending Emory’s history of support and ensuring their access to resources and community essential to their educational journey.
In 2022-2023, nearly 14% of our Emory undergraduate students were considered first-generation, and 18% of our undergraduate students on the Atlanta Campus were Pell Grant recipients. Our goal is to ensure they are celebrated and have a robust network of assistance from faculty and staff who understand the unique opportunities and challenges that being the first may entail.
Please direct any questions regarding our Emory First program to emoryfirst@emory.edu.
In collaboration with Residence Life and Emory First, the Empowering First theme housing community provides an intentional residential and learning experience for first-generation college students. Participants are supported by leadership development activities, community building events, and regular direct engagement with a Faculty Director.
QuestBridge is a national nonprofit that connects the nation’s most exceptional, low-income youth with leading colleges and opportunities. The Emory chapter of the Questbridge Scholars Network engages scholars on campus, provides mentor/mentee opportunities, connects participants with leadership positions and more.
