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Forty-Niner First-Gen Support

Forty-Niner First-Gen Support, also known as F1GS, builds a campus culture that promotes an asset-based perspective for First-Generation Niners. F1GS shapes opportunities for pride and celebration of First-Generation identity and fosters an environment of social and academic support, made up of two sub-support systems, Academic Support and Recognition Support. 

Person in black top and green pants posing for headshot.

 

Shayauna Newsom (They/Them)

Transition & Belonging

Program Director, Transition & Belonging 

F1GS (Recognition Support)

Advice to First-Gen Niners: This journey is what you make of it. Capture the memories!

man smiling in a green polo wearing clear glasses with a blurred background

 

Chris Walls (He/Him)

First-Year and Transition Programs

Assistant Director First-Generation Academic Initiatives 

F1GS (Academic Support)

Advice to First-Gen Niners: Embrace the opportunity to build relationships with peers, staff, faculty, and the community.

powell_rachel

 

Rachel Powell-Rangel (She/Her)

Engineering Technology and Construction Management Department, Lee College of Engineering 

Academic Advisor

F1GS (Academic Support)

Advice to First-Gen Niners: Believe in yourself! Don't be afraid to ask questions! Everyone may look like they know what they are doing but trust me we are all just trying to figure out this thing we call life! 

man in suit smiling

 

Lorenzo N. Hopper (He/Him)

Public Health Sciences, Co-Advisor for First Gen Niners Student Org

Assistant Professor 

F1GS (Recognition Support) 

Advice to First-Gen Niners: Speak up, show up, and trust in your abilities—even when it feels like you're the only one in the room.

person wearing black smiling

 

Liz Garcia (They/She)

Transition & Belonging 

Program Coordinator 

F1GS (Recognition Support)

Advice to First-Gen Niners: Take advantage of every resource on campus!

woman wearing green dress smiling

 

Briana Wilson (She/Her)   

Family & Supporter Engagement    

Program Director for Family & Supporter Engagement 

F1GS (Recognition Support)

Advice to First-Gen Niners: Remember your "why" and hold it close to you - at all times.

Person in glasses and brown turtleneck posing for headshot.

 

Sydney Gallup (They/She)

Career Center

Assistant Director & Career Coach

F1GS (Academic Support)

Advice to First-Gen Niners: It's never too late to put yourself out there; if you were timid at the start of your college career, don't worry, you can still be a joiner and jump in when you are ready!

Woman in green polo posing for headshot

 

Melanie Valderrama (She/Her/Ella)    

Undergraduate Admissions    

Assistant Director

F1GS (Academic Support)

Advice to First-Gen Niners: Join groups and lean on your community as you navigate your college experience.

person in front of gray background smiling

 

Nadine Jones (She/Her)

Niner Finances    

Interim Assistant Director

F1GS (Academic Support) 

Advice to First-Gen Niners: Please utilize all your opportunities and resources that are available as much as possible, but know your limits and set your boundaries, so you can have an equal work-life balance.

person wearing green smiling

 

Ayana Cholula (She/Her)

Center for Student Involvement    

Assistant Director

F1GS (Academic Support)

Advice to First-Gen Niners: Being a First-Gen Niner is something to be PROUD of, you're paving the way!

person smiling with glasses and arms crossed

 

Danyal Mahmud    

Enrollment Programs and Communications

Assistant Director

F1GS (Recognition Support)

Advice to First-Gen Niners: Take advantage of your resources! UNC Charlotte offers a ton of resources to support you on your academic journey!

Person in white polo posing for headshot.

 

Tyris Gillis (He/Him)

Leadership & Community Engagement

Program Director - Mentoring Initiatives

F1GS (Recognition Support)

Advice to First-Gen Niners: Always be willing to push yourself at least one step past your norm when new opportunities and experiences arise. 

Person in blue plaid blazer and glasses posing for headshot.

 

Tonya C. Bates 

Biological Sciences 

Senior Lecturer

F1GS (Academic Support)

Advice to First-Gen Niners: First-gen at UNC Charlotte? You’re not alone - get involved through learning communities or student organizations to connect, find support, and build your campus family. 

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Alex Reynolds (He/Him)

University Communications

Communications Specialist 

F1GS (Recognition Support)

Advice to First-Gen Niners: Don't be afraid to ask "dumb questions," college is complicated and the vast majority of people are happy to help and will meet you where you are at.

man with glasses and green tie

 

Chris Brasel (He/Him)

Military & Veteran Services

Director

F1GS (Academic Support)

Advice to First-Gen Niners: Adapt and overcome, college is a mission, stay disciplined, ask for support, and finish what you started. 

Person in polo shirt with UNC Charlotte logo for Mechanical Engineering and Engineering Science. Also posing for headshot.

 

Rebecca Stamper (She/Her)

Mechanical Engineering and Engineering Science

Academic Advisor II

F1GS (Academic Support)

Advice to First-Gen Niners: Embrace your unique journey and don't hesitate to ask questions.

woman smiling with glasses and head scarf

 

Nicole I. Ianieri (She/Her)

English Language Training Institute

Director

F1GS (Academic Support)

Advice to First-Gen Niners: You are here because you deserve to be, and you belong: Never forget that.

Person in black and white patterned blazer posing for headshot.

 

Lydia Rodriguez (She/Her)

College of Computing and Informatics

Academic Advisor

F1GS (Recognition Support)

Advice to First-Gen Niners: Give yourself grace - college can be challenging, but your worth is not determined by your grades or your productivity.

person wearing yellow smiling

 

Laura Pagani    

Center For Graduate Life and Learning

Student Services Specialist

F1GS (Recognition Support)

Advice to First-Gen Niners: There are many resources that can help you reach your goals with less stress: if you are a graduate student ask me and I will do my best to suport you!

Person in black polo with UNC Charlotte logo, posing for headshot.

 

Heather Webb (She/Her)

Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) 

Access Specialist

F1GS (Recognition Support)

Advice to First-Gen Niners: It's OK to utilize college to figure out what you want to do after.