First Generation at Georgia Southern (F1-Gen) is a new student organization that aims to provide a welcoming environment for both incoming and current first-generation students. First formed in Fall 2025, F1-Gen is led by President Helena Nebeu, Vice President Taylor Brannen, Treasurer Daya Soto, and faculty adviser Dr. Leslie Harris.
The initiative for the club began with Dr. Harris. A first-generation student herself, Harris’ background as well as her work in the Academic Success Center are what motivated her to “build a community” for these students, said Nebeu.
Membership with F1-Gen at Georgia Southern is only open to first-generation students; these are students whose parents did not complete a four-year degree.
“You can be first generation in a lot of things,” Brannen said, “but this is specific to education.”
Both Nebeu and Brannen explained that there tends to be confusion around what qualifies someone as a first-generation student. Nebeu herself was unsure about the definition before she helped found the club.
“I didn’t know that if your parents had a two-year degree, you would still be considered first-generation because they haven’t completed a four-year degree,” she said.
This confusion around being first-generation often causes some students to miss out on opportunities and resources available to them because “they might not even consider” that they are first-generation, Nebeu said.
Brannen and Nebeu also spoke about their experiences as first-generation students and how those experiences have shaped the way they have approached college life.
“I didn’t know there was a lot more you were supposed to do in college besides just going to class,” Brannen said, “Like, networking is, I think, the biggest thing I’ve realized I should’ve been doing a long time ago.”
“It was like figuring out a lot of stuff just by doing it and you see, okay, that worked, that didn’t work,” said Nebeu, “It was really just trial and error.”
Brannen and Nebeu’s personal stories are what drive their desire to help and support students who share similar struggles.
“We’re here for you,” Branned said, “Anything we do, we want it to be for you.”
F1-Gen and its leadership are excited about the opportunity to help more first-generation students as the academic year continues. The club is looking to host more social and fundraising events for its members, as well as helpful workshops in resume-building, FAFSA tutorials, and LinkedIn.
To learn more about F1-Gen or to become a member, go to the Eagle Engage website and search First Generation at Georgia Southern.
