First Gen Students

What is a First-Gen Raider?
Being First-Gen means you are a trailblazer, forging a new path to earn your degree. At Shippensburg University, we celebrate your courage, resilience, and dedication to shaping a brighter future for yourself and your family. A First-Gen Raider is someone whose parent(s) did not complete a four-year college or university degree, but you are taking the next step to achieve that milestone.

This is an incredible achievement, and you should be proud of the legacy you’re building for future generations of Raiders!

First-Gen Raider initiatives aim to:

  • Support your success: Increase retention and graduation rates through academic and personal resources.
  • Build community: Connect students with other First-Gen peers to normalize shared experiences.
  • Empower through mentorship: Pair students with supportive mentors and positive role models.
  • Provide resources: Link students to academic, social, and financial support systems.
  • Foster connections: Create opportunities for networking with campus and community organizations.

At Ship, you’re not just attending college, you’re leading the way as a Raider!

Need help figuring out your career path? Discover our year-by-year career planning guides, designed to support your journey to professional success!

Looking for professional attire? Visit the Raider Ready Professional Dress Closet at the Career Center to find the perfect outfit for your career needs!

Featured Articles

Why Every First-Gen Entrepreneur Needs a Business Mentor

Are you a first-generation student dreaming of starting your own business? This episode is for you.

In Episode 175 of The First-Gen Lounge, host brings on Traniece Bruce — a DEI consultant, higher education professional, and first-gen advocate — for an honest, …

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How to Pivot from Entrepreneurship to Corporate

The fastest way to transition from one industry to another is to embody the identity of someone in your desired field. In this episode, I share two easy steps that you can take to transition from entrepreneurship to corporate life. …

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Career Exploration: Actor

Listen to First-Generation Actor, Joseph Palmore, discuss his path to his profession. Joseph will detail a typical day in his life, his salary, and how we found his career path. Career Exploration series is produced by CareerSpring, the leading nonprofit …

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Featured Profiles

Bri Arndt

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  • Recruiting Coordinator Refined Technologies Inc.
Meet Bri

Jerome Austin

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  • Managing Principal Self - Ry2 Solutions
Meet Jerome

Scott Barnhardt

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  • Owner / Founder / Coach The Creative College Journey
Meet Scott

Lisa Cameron

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  • Senior Director of Development The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth)
Meet Lisa

Guy Caprio

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  • Staff Therapist Loyola University Chicago
Meet Guy
Meet Leena

Natasha Charles

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  • Founder, CEO, Chief Intuitive Strategist Intuitive Coaching with Natasha Charles
Meet Natasha

Charlene Joy Dela Cruz

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  • User Experience Designer II NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Meet Charlene Joy

Dean Di Simone

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  • Founding Partner Function
Meet Dean

Sonia Dias

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  • Various Volunteer Positions and Advisory Boards Various Nonprofits
Meet Sonia

Nora Durgin

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  • School Psychologist Arlington Public Schools
Meet Nora
Meet Irma

Career Resources

An award winning podcast and the first and #1 show in the world for first-generation scholars and professionals.

Contact & Location

Phone
717-477-1484
Address

Ceddia Union Building (CUB 108)
1871 Old Main Drive
Shippensburg, PA 17257

Career Service Hours

Day of the week
Center Operational Hours Express Hours
Monday 8am - 6pm 2pm - 6pm
Tuesday 8am - 4:30pm 2pm - 4pm
Wednesday 8am - 4:30pm 2pm - 4pm
Thursday 8am - 4:30pm 2pm - 4pm
Friday 8am - 4:30pm