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.
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!
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.
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!
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.
Liz Garcia (They/She)
Transition & Belonging
Program Coordinator
F1GS (Recognition Support)
Advice to First-Gen Niners: Take advantage of every resource on campus!
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.
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!
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.
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.
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!
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.