SUNY ESF
First-Generation Students
Welcome to ESF! We are so excited to welcome you to our Mighty Oak community.
As a first-generation college student, you bring unique strength, resilience, and perspective to our campus. The Office of Student Success & Engagement is here to support you every step of the way as you navigate college life and pave your path at ESF.
What Does it mean to be First-Generation?
Generally, you are considered a first-generation college student if your parent(s) or legal guardian(s) have not completed a four-year college or university bachelor’s degree. Even if your parents attended some college, earned an associate degree, or if you have older siblings who went to university, you still count as first-gen as long as your parents didn't graduate with a four-year degree.
While being first-gen doesn’t mean you are restricted or treated differently in your classes, it does unlock a special network of support and opportunities designed specifically to help you thrive.
First-Gen Orientation Kick-Off | August 16–17 2026
To give our first-generation students and their families an extra head start, ESF hosts a dedicated First-Gen Orientation Kick-Off starting one day prior to standard move-in and general orientation.
Orientation week is designed to help new first-gen students:
- Demystify College Culture: Learn the unwritten rules of higher education.
- Meet Your Community & Mentors: Connect with fellow incoming first-gen peers, peer mentors, and self-identified first-gen faculty and staff across campus.
- Master Financial & Academic Logistics: Get plain-language guidance on financial aid, billing timelines, advising, and Degree Works credit tracking.
- Support Your Family & Support Network: Empower your family with resources on billing cycles, key dates, and staying connected throughout your college journey.
- Ease the Transition: Get settled on campus early, tour key locations, and build confidence before campus-wide events begin.
Schedule at a Glance
- Morning Move-In Blocks: Dedicated Centennial Hall move-in times (9:00 AM – 12:00 PM) for incoming first-gen students.
- Family Welcome & Mingle: An informal gathering for families and support networks to meet campus staff and learn about student support systems.
- Family and Student Workshops: Families and students split off for a little bit to get dedicated programming designed for each group. Students will have the opportunity to meet other students and get to know each other. Families will have an opportunity to learn more about financial Aid at ESF and how to keep in contact with their students throughout the year.
- Interactive Workshops: "Myth vs. Fact" sessions on syllabi, faculty expectations, and campus jargon.
- Resource Mapping & Flowcharts: Who-to-call guides for financial aid, tutoring, counseling, and advising.
- First-Gen Welcome Lunch: Drop-in lunch with self-identified first-gen faculty, staff, and peer mentors.
Transition seamlessly into campus-wide orientation events, Convocation, and traditional ESF traditions!
You can find important tasks you need to complete in the New Student Checklist.
Helpful Resources
Save the Date:
First-Generation College Celebration Brunch
November 8 - 11am - Gateway
Contact Us
Have questions about First-Gen Orientation, early move-in, or getting connected?
Office of Student Success & Engagement SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF)
Email: [email protected]