The University of Houston-Downtown (UHD) is marking First-Generation Week, November 3–7, with a major milestone — the launch of its First-Generation Gator Program, made possible through a $300,000 Moody Foundation M-PACT Fund grant. The initiative underscores UHD’s ongoing commitment to supporting the nearly 70% of its 15,000 students who are the first in their families to attend college — a figure that far exceeds both national (54%) and Texas (43.5%) averages.

The First-Generation Gator Program is designed to expand resources for first-generation students through scholarships, mentorships, family engagement, financial coaching, and wraparound services that promote retention and graduation. In addition to the initial grant, the Moody Foundation recently announced an additional $100,000 in funding over the next three years to further strengthen these efforts.

UHD’s Division of Student Success and Student Life is hiring a program coordinator to manage the new initiatives. The university has also launched a peer-mentorship program pairing first-year students with mentors and providing each participant a $1,000 scholarship toward tuition. During First-Gen Week, UHD is introducing the First-Gen Gator Scholarship, a competitive award available to transfer and continuing students with a GPA of 2.7 or higher and at least 60 credit hours completed.

Next semester, the program will expand with First Gen Fridays, a series of events led by faculty and staff that will feature professional development workshops, financial literacy sessions, and family engagement opportunities.

The celebration of UHD’s first-generation students is supported by multiple university departments, including Student Leadership and Involvement, Gator Success Institute, Academic Support Center, Counseling, Sports and Fitness, and the Center for Career and Professional Development.

Nationally, First-Generation College Celebration Day is recognized each year on November 8, commemorating the signing of the Higher Education Act of 1965. This landmark legislation established federal financial aid programs and continues to expand access to higher education for low-income and first-generation students through initiatives like the Federal TRIO programs.

For more information about the First-Gen Week schedule and the new First-Generation Gator Program, visit uhd.edu