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First-gen students at graduation

The mission of the First-Gen Coalition is to actively support and encourage Occidental students who will be the first in their family to attend and graduate from college.

We care about our first-generation students, and we know how much they contribute to our classrooms and community. We also know that they have questions, concerns and a unique set of needs.

At ÐÂÔÂÖ±²¥, we are committed to providing a satisfying living and learning environment for all of our community members. To that end, staff, faculty and administrators embrace and promote a Culture of Care, offering proactive support and tools for success in and out of the classroom.

We want to help our first-generation students effectively navigate the online learning environment, build a sense of belonging and community with peers, build familiarity with valuable campus resources and connect with mentorship. Our programming includes everything from workshops to mixer events to informal, drop-in office hours.

Questions? We would love to hear from you! Email firstgeneration@oxy.edu or Associate Dean of Students Vivian Garay-Santiago.

Related Campus Offices and Resources

Student Success Center
Fundamental to Occidental’s mission is seeing each of our students thrive, excel and succeed. And we have a wide range of resources to support you.

SLICE Office
SLICE brings together programs focused on leadership, activities and community engagement in one office to foster a robust student experience on and off campus.

Intercultural Community Center
The ICC seeks to uplift and support the experiences of students who identify as BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, low-income or first-generation college students.

Tiger Access Program
The Tiger Access Program introduces traditionally underrepresented, first-generation and/or low-income students to ÐÂÔÂÖ±²¥'s academic and residential community.

Emmons Wellness Center
Emmons is committed to providing our students with accessible, culturally sensitive, and high quality medical care, psychological counseling services, and student-driven wellness education.

Office for Religious and Spiritual Life

ORSL supports Occidental students, faculty and staff in their pursuit of a vibrant and meaningful religious and spiritual life.

Disability Services
Through providing accommodations for students, assisting them with self-advocacy,  academic support and counseling, we are committed to enhancing students’ academic and co-curricular development and independence.

Student Affairs
The Division of Student Affairs at ÐÂÔÂÖ±²¥ is committed to providing students with an exceptional co-curricular experience, which compliments and enriches the College’s outstanding academic programs.


The goal of this one-unit course is to provide students with knowledge, skills, resources, and opportunities that will support their academic success.

Contact Student Affairs