Williams has a number of resources available to you. If you have a question or situation you need assistance with resolving and you are uncertain who to ask, you can always begin with your assigned Class Dean or Dean Garcia. We are happy to guide you to the appropriate resources. Also, check out The ULTIMATE Firsts’ Resource Guide that your Pre-Orientation Leader peers have created which provides a great summary of the resources available at Williams.
Rise First Resource
Mission & Vision
Our mission is to empower first-generation and/or low-income (FGLI) students and professionals nationwide to achieve their full potential by providing life and career advice, lists of support resources and mentorship opportunities through a technology platform with online tools. This platform is built for and by FGLI students, providing a real-life business and professional experience.
As we build this online platform, we envision a future where we close the achievement gap by increasing the graduation rate for FGLI college students to be closer to 77% than the current 9% (Source) and where no FGLI student has to navigate their path alone. We hope to be the first place they look when they need help in navigating the unfamiliar, don’t know the right questions to ask, or want to connect to someone who’s been through the same challenges they are encountering. Together as a community, we aim to support and empower this segment of our future leaders.
Center For First-Generation Student Success
Mission
We provide data, training, and expertise for a growing network of colleges and universities around the country to scale and sustain the important work of serving first-generation students.
Vision
Transforming higher education to drive first-generation student success effectively and equitably across education, career, and life.
Leadership Brainery
Mission & Vision
Leadership Brainery is a 501(c)(3) organization addressing inequitable access to master’s and doctoral degrees and workforce leadership opportunities for underrepresented talent, including people of color, individuals from a lower socioeconomic status, LGBTQ individuals, and other demographics who are systematically excluded from higher education. We work with prospective and current graduate students, academic institutions, employers, and committed community members to eliminate systemic barriers to education and create inclusive communities.
We envision a day when competitive postgraduate classrooms throughout the country are enriched by an equitable representation of first-generation and diverse students, empowered to transform our country’s leadership.