1GenU is an undergraduate-level, developmental and community building program that focuses on assisting first-generation students and their families in gaining skills and resources to successful college navigation. Students must apply to participate in 1GenU before they begin their first year at DU. 1GenU participants are provided with peer mentorship, academic resources, and activities that promote social connections to ensure their success at DU and post-graduation.
We are excited for you to apply to the 1GenU Program. Applications are now open and will close at 11:59pm on Monday, May 26, 2025. Complete applications will only be considered.Commuting students are encouraged to apply. Please reach out to Dong.Dinh@du.edu if there are any questions about the application.
Create a welcoming environment that builds a sense of belonging among first-generation students, their families, and the DU community.
Share knowledge and information about roles and community resources to help 1GenU students better navigate their college experience.
Provide a network of university and peer support for first-generation students.
Support student success by providing an experience roadmap relevant to first-generation identity.
Program Overview
The 1GenU program focuses on a variety of specific aspects related to academic, professional, and personal development. As students go through the program, they will have opportunities to engage in support and activities in four milestones.
Year One: Building Your Foundation
This milestone emphasizes first-generation students’ learning, exposure, and identification of the various key components that are indicative of the beginning of a students’ journey at the university.
Focus for this milestone:
Student Success & College Transition
Pre-Orientation
Peer Mentorship
Cohort & Signature Events
Proactive Academic Support & Resources
Proactive Skill Developments
Wellbeing/Wellness Crucial Conversations
Identity Exploration
Milestone two: Exploration
This milestone emphasizes first-generation students’ opportunities to actively engage in the 4D experience through a first-generation lens. These key experiences will assist students in refining their foundations to apply their knowledge to the next milestone.
Focus for this milestone:
Community Engagement, Mentorship, & Career Readiness
Proactive Academic Support & Resources
Cohort & Signature Events
Co-Curricular Engagement
Proactive Skill Developments
Milestone Three: Application
This milestone emphasizes first-generation students’ resources, experiences, skills, and knowledge necessary to execute their plans, goals, and desires, after they have identified and reflected on what is important to them to be able to prioritize and organize their experiences.
Focus for this Milestone:
Community Engagement, Mentorship, & Career Readiness
Proactive Academic Support & Resources
Cohort & Signature Events
Co-Curricular Engagement
Proactive Skill Developments
Milestone Four: Expertise
This milestone emphasizes first-generation students’ culmination of their experiences of high impact practices through reflection of skills and knowledge gained through exploration and application.
Yes! You will still need to complete the 1GenU application, but first-generation students living in LLCs have the opportunity to fully participate in the 1GenU program.
Yes! You can apply to live in the Student Inclusion and Belonging affinity space located in Dimond Family Residence Village (DFRV) in your 1GenU application, though this is not required. If you are part of a Living & Learning Community (LLC) that requires you to live on their floor, you cannot reside on the Student Inclusion and Belonging affinity space.
