Welcome from Dr. Shelley Dempsey, Assistant Provost for Graduation and Retention
Welcome to the University of South Carolina where we are proud to boast a significant population of first-generation students, faculty, and staff. As Gamecocks, we pride ourselves on the ability to participate as a community of learners who support each other and celebrate the small victories along the way to graduation.
Our inaugural First-Gen Center on the USC campus serves anyone who identifies as first-generation. Through a faculty-led Living and Learning Community, opportunities for mentoring, and partnerships and collaborations with academic and administrative units, we are able to serve first-generation students better than ever and also provide a venue for faculty and staff to support these students along their journey to degree completion.
To all members of the First-Gen community, thank you for your contributions to our campus. Let’s keep going together!
Our Mission
The mission of the FGC is to connect first-generation students with resources to successfully
navigate their progress towards graduation, and to recognize the value and unique
strengths they bring to USC and the community at large. The FGC promotes student support
and advocacy, comprehensive programming, mentorship initiatives, connections to campus
partners and resources, and a culture of scholarship and research.
Meet our team and see our vision »
Support First-Gen Students at USC
Did you know nearly 5 million undergraduate students identified as first-generation across the nation in 2020?
That's 1 in every 3 students!
In Fall 2022, 20% of the student body at the University of South Carolina identified as first-generation. And our numbers are growing!
You can help support first-gen students at USC by giving directly to the First-Generation Student Support Fund.
More Ways to Give
Contact us at 1-877-349-2106 to speak with a USC staff member to make a gift by phone.
Contact us at 1-877-349-2106 if you would like us to email or mail you a pledge form.
You can print it and mail the completed pledge form to:
University of South Carolina
Office of Gift Processing
1600 Hampton Street, Suite 736
Columbia, SC 29208
Use the online pledge form to indicate your gift amount and preferred billing frequency.