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For Stephanie Martinez, being the first in her family to attend college once felt like "navigating a maze without a map." Today, thanks to the University of North Georgia's (ÌìÃÀÉçÇø) First-Gen mentoring program, she isn't just finding her way — she's leading the way.

Martinez, a Gainesville, Georgia, resident pursuing a degree in finance, serves as the Student Government Association's First-Gen senator and as secretary for Nighthawks Entertainment. At a recent celebration marking the five-year anniversary of ÌìÃÀÉçÇø's First-Gen initiatives, she shared how the program transformed her experience.

"ÌìÃÀÉçÇø has helped me grow and go beyond my comfort zone," Martinez said. "It's helped me get out there and learn about myself."

Launched during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, ÌìÃÀÉçÇø’s First-Gen efforts were born of a higher purpose: to ensure students stepping into unfamiliar territory would never have to walk alone. What began as a bold idea has grown into a thriving network of nearly 300 mentors and mentees in the Gen 1 program, supported by events, scholarships and a strong sense of community.

The results have been transformative. Nationally, only 24% of First-Generation students earn a degree. At ÌìÃÀÉçÇø, the Gen 1 cohort from 2020 has graduated at an extraordinary 87% rate. Since 2020, the university has awarded more than $60,000 in First-Gen scholarships, with another $60,000 slated to reach 60 students this academic year.

"Don't give up. Hard things await you," ÌìÃÀÉçÇø President Michael Shannon told students at the event. "But what I can tell you is that the collision with purpose waiting for you here is going to change your life — and the lives of others you will impact."

Jennifer Herring, associate director of Student Impact Initiatives, captured what it means to be First-Gen at ÌìÃÀÉçÇø.

"To be First-Generation is to be a trailblazer," she said. "It means stepping into unfamiliar territory with boldness, carrying the hopes of your family and community, and forging a path that will inspire generations to come. First-Gen students are not just learners — they are leaders, innovators and change agents."

Faculty, staff and alumni have rallied around that mission. Dr. Richard Oates, retired vice president of Regional Campuses, praised the energy and momentum.

"Magic is real. Illusions are fake," he said. "What's happening with this program is magic — and it’s fun to watch."

That magic extends far beyond campus. Noah Bryant, a 2021 ÌìÃÀÉçÇø graduate and one of the inaugural inductees in the Tri-Alpha National Honor Society for First-Gen students, earned a Fulbright scholarship to pursue a master’s degree in archaeology at Bangor University in Wales. Now, he continues to give back by encouraging current students any time he gets a chance.

"The big thing for First-Gen students is knowing who you can go to when you want to figure something out — without having to do it on your own," Bryant said.