Celebrating First-Generation Students

Nov 18, 2025

National First-Gen Celebration Day was November 8 and NC celebrated First-gen Celebration Week during the first week of November. All first-gen students were invited to be part of the 5th annual First-Gen Celebration Day Group Photo!

North Central proudly participates in this national celebration to highlight the strengths and achievements of first-generation students.

The award-winning Cardinal First program provides community, connection, and cohort-based programming for first-gen students from day one through graduation. This semester, 1,017 students—along with 140+ faculty and staff—identify as first-gen (students whose parents do not have a bachelor’s degree).

If your student is a first-generation college student, they should be receiving emails and texts from Cardinal First.  If they are not, please contact Julie Carballo, Assistant Dean of Students for First-generation & Military-Affiliated Initiatives at cardinalfirst@noctrl.edu. 

Check out the NEW Cardinal First Student Voice video here to hear directly from our students.

The cohort programs are:

  • Cardinal First Fridays (for first-year students)
  • Cardinal First Sophomore Suppers
  • Cardinal First Penultimate (for juniors)
  • Cardinal First Homestretch (for seniors)

Learn more about Cardinal First at www.noctrl.edu/cardinal-first,  and follow on social media: