Let’s celebrate the outstanding accomplishments of #UMLFirst students, faculty and staff. This year, First-Gen Week @ UMass Lowell is Nov. 6-10.

Meet Some of Our First-Generation Students

Nadine Chamoun in front of Needham Bank
Nadine Chamoun '21
Business Administration

Business student Nadine Chamoun stepped out of her comfort zone for an IT internship. And she’s glad she did.

All of my professors have been great. ... It’s super cool to connect with them and learn how they got to where they are.
Read More About Nadine Chamoun 
Mathew D'Entremont seated at a table with another person
Mathew D'Entremont '23
Psychology

The Moloney Student Fellowship Fund allowed Mathew D’Entremont to take an unpaid internship with a Lowell nonprofit.

It was good to learn about an organization like Coalition for a Better Acre in the city where I go to school.
Read More About Mathew D'Entremont 
Business student Yeaharne Hout talks with another student next to a sign that says RIST Difference Maker Institute.
Yeaharne Hout '21
Business Administration

As she begins her career at Fidelity, Yeaharne Hout sees how transformative her UML experience has been.

I gained so many experiences and connections that made me a more well-rounded person.
Read More About Yeaharne Hout 
Finance student Heer Patel seated inside a UMass Lowell building
Heer Patel '23
Accounting, Finance

A staff accountant internship at Novogradac confirmed business major Heer Patel’s interest in auditing.

I wanted a college that I could afford, and that has diversity and inclusiveness and makes me feel welcome. UMass Lowell was perfect.
Read More About Heer Patel 
Nicole Carrasco-Cruz inside the Red Sox Fenway Park
Nicole Carrasco-Cruz '22
Criminal Justice

Becoming a Red Sox Scholar in middle school set Nicole Carrasco-Cruz on course for her UML degree.

I fell in love with the school, the staff and the people. I knew this was the right environment for me.
Read More About Nicole Carrasco-Cruz 
Jamie-Lyn Cavallon poses at the top of Mount Washington.
Jamie-Lyn Cavallon '24
Meteorology

Jamie-Lyn Cavallon won an NSF-funded meteorology internship.

It was a great opportunity.
Read More About Jamie-Lyn Cavallon 

2024 First-Gen Week Events

All Week:

First Gen Book Den
O'Leary Library, Room 300
These books are a special collection from RHSA, sharing literary resources that speak to the first-gen experience. Borrowing is the same as you would borrowing any other book in O'Leary or Lydon. Check-out at the library counter.

RHSA Pumpkin Painting

Monday, Nov. 4
2-5 p.m., O'Leary Library, Room 300
Turn your creativity into art. Join RHSA and other students for pumpkin painting! Everyone is welcome!

Fall-ing for First Gen with Zuckerberg College of Health Sciences

Wednesday, Nov. 6
11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Health & Social Sciences, Room 107
Apple cider, sweet treats and chili....join us for a fall-themed celebration. Stella (Associate Dean Champagne's dog) may make an appearance! Drop-in!

First-Gen Fest: Food, Facts & Fun with the College of Fine Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences

Thursday, Nov. 7  
11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Coburn Hall, Room 255
Celebrate First-Gen Week at UMass Lowell at this drop in event! Come meet with RHSA peer leaders and faculty, win swag or enter the raffle, and enjoy complimentary food with FAHSS!

First-Gen Pizza & Conversation with Kennedy College of Sciences

Thursday, Nov. 7  
3:30-4:30 p.m., Olsen 348
Stop by for pizza and soda and to meet your KCS first-gen community. Grab some swag and fun items!

Celebrate First-Gen with Francis College of Engineering

Thursday, Nov. 7  
5:30-7 p.m., Southwick 256
Join us for a celebration of our first-gen students. Whether you stay for the whole event or just drop in, enjoy an atmosphere of creativity and community. Connect with your FCE community, get resources and fun swag.  Food and drinks will be provided.

RHSA Leaf Your Mark

Friday, Nov. 8
10 a.m. - 4 p.m., O'Leary Library, Room 300
Celebrate with First-Gen gratitude! Hang out in the RHSA lounge. Help draw, paint and craft our autumn tree by writing what you're grateful for, advice to other FG students, what a River Hawk means to you, or design your own leaf!
First-Gen Week @ UMass Lowell is sponsored by the River Hawk Scholars Academy, the College of Fine Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, the Francis College of Engineering, the Kennedy College of Sciences, the Manning School of Business, the Zuckerberg College of Health Sciences.

River Hawk Scholars Academy News

  • Four panelists sit in chairs in front of a screen at the front of a room, talking to college students.

    Peer Leaders Get a Boost from UKG New

    Peer leaders from the Office of Multicultural Affairs are now supported with scholarships and mentorship from workforce management software company UKG, a longtime industry partner of UMass Lowell.
    Featured Story
  • Sean Simonini poses in a white lab coat in a laboratory

    Biology and Political Science Student Wins National Scholarship

    Sean Simonini, who is double-majoring in biology and political science, wants to help find treatments and a cure for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, a fatal neurodegenerative disease. He won a $7,500 Goldwater Scholarship to support that work.
    Featured Story
  • A woman in a gray blazer poses for a photo while standing near the reception desk in a college office.

    Alumna Returns to Lead First-Gen Success at UML

    English alumna Venus Israni has returned to her alma mater to lead the River Hawk Scholars Academy, UML’s support program for first-generation college students.
    Featured Story