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First-Generation Excellence Awards

First-Generation Excellence Awards 

This semesterly awards process is intended to recognize and celebrate the phenomenal contributions, experiences, and talents of First-Gen Niners. Applications for Fall will open September 18th. There are five award categories; apply to be recognized for all that you do and have done. Each award has different criteria, so be sure to read each description and application requirements. 

Eligibility: 

These awards are available to First-Generation Niners. 

First-Generation Niners are students who will be the first in their family to receive a Bachelor's degree.

  • Am I still first-gen if my sibling has a degree? YES
  • Am I still first-gen if my parents/guardians have an associate’s degree? YES
  • What if my parents/guardians have a degree from another country? YES
Excellence Awards for All First-Gen Niners
First-Gen Barrier Breaker Award

For growing through the journey.

First-Gen Discovery Award

For excellence in research.

First-Gen Passing the Pickaxe Award

For leaving a legacy and mentorship.

Excellence Awards for Graduating Undergrad First-Gen Niners
First-Generation Community Impact

For service to the community.

First-Generation Golden Achievement

For academic excellence.

First-Gen Barrier Breaker Award

First-Gen Niner, your journey is unique, and as you complete each semester, you are growing! We would love to learn more about your journey and how you have succeeded and overcome challenges during your time at Charlotte. Apply for our First-Gen Barrier Breaker Award.

Application Requirements: 

  • A personal narrative describing what makes your your First-Generation journey unique to you, during your time at Charlotte and how you have grown through it (no more than 500 words).
First-Gen Discovery Award

First-Gen Niner, you are making strides through research. Have you participated in or led a research project you are proud of this academic year (Summer 2026- Fall 2026)? Apply for the First-Gen Discovery Award. 

Application Requirements: 

  • A personal narrative describing your role in the research project, how you shared your research, and how this assisted your growth (no more than 300 words).
  • A Google or PowerPoint slide that describes the main focus or abstract of your research

Eligibility Criteria:

  • Must have conducted or contributed to research during your time at UNC Charlotte during Summer 2026-Fall 2026
First-Gen Passing the Pickaxe Award

First-Gen Niner, you’ve left your mark on Niner Nation. Please share about the legacy you’ve built, how you have mentored Niners and Pass the Pickaxe to others. Apply for our First-Gen Passing the Pickaxe Award.

Application Requirements: 

  • A personal narrative describing the legacy you’ve built and how you have mentored others (No more than 500 words).

Eligibility Criteria:

  • Must have provided mentorship to others
  • Examples of mentorship could be on-campus leadership roles, peer mentors, student organization executive board roles, teaching assistants, Student Government Association, Volunteer and Service programs, Greek Life and more.
Community Impact

The Community Impact Excellence Award is designed to recognize First-Gen Niners who have demonstrated outstanding and sustained commitment to service. This service can be to their campus, to the greater area of Charlotte, or to their home communities, as well as any combination of those 3 areas. This prestigious award is open to graduating seniors who have consistently volunteered their time to accumulate community service hours during their tenure at UNC Charlotte.

Application Requirements: 

  • # of Community Service Hours accumulated while at Charlotte
  • A personal narrative detailing what service to the community means to you and your impact on your community (no more than 300 words)
  • A personal narrative detailing how supporting the community has impacted your personal growth (no more than 300 words)
  • Most up-to-date resume
  • A letter of support (no more than 300 words) emailed to iamfirstgen@charlotte.edu
    • This person must be someone who can speak to your commitment to service (student org advisor, supervisor at a volunteer organization, etc.) 

Eligibility Criteria:

  • Must have maintained a high GPA throughout their academic career.
  • Demonstrates a strong commitment to community engagement excellence, as evidenced by their volunteer hours, involvement in campus organizations, and leadership experiences.
Golden Achievement: Academic Excellence

The Golden Achievement Academic Excellence Award is designed to recognize First-Gen Niners who have demonstrated outstanding academic achievement and a sustained commitment to excellence in their studies. This prestigious award is open to graduating seniors who have consistently performed at the highest levels in their coursework, showing dedication, discipline, and intellectual curiosity across various subjects.

Application Requirements: 

  • Cumulative GPA
  • A personal narrative detailing why academic excellence is important to you and how you've stayed committed to academics during your time at Charlotte (no more than 300 words)
  • Most up-to-date resume
  • A letter of support (no more than 300 words) emailed to iamfirstgen@charlotte.edu
    • This person must be someone who can speak to your academic excellence (peer, advisor, professor, etc.) 

Eligibility Criteria:

  • Must have maintained a high GPA throughout their academic career.
  • Demonstrates a strong commitment to academic excellence, as evidenced by their coursework, class participation, and contributions to intellectual discussions.
History

First-Generation Excellence Awards 

First-Generation Excellence Awards began in the Fall of 2024 as a result of the Forty-Niner First-Gen Supporters (F1GS) Recognition Committee to recognize more First-Gen students for their successes and achievements. All nominees receive a certificate of recognition, and the winners receive a plaque that they can display with pride wherever their next leads them. 

With support from the 49er Family Fund, graduating students who receive the Community Impact and Golden Achievement awards are provided a monetary gift to support their journeys toward their next.

This award process happens semesterly. 

Excellence Award Recipients
Golden Achievement Recipients

Fall 2024 

  • Becky Wang, BS: Operation & Supply Management

Spring 2025

  • Heven Siyum, BS: Biology, Minor: Biotechnology & Spanish
  • Lillie Justice, BA: English, Concentration Pedagogy
  • Jordan Waugh, BS: Exercise Science

Fall 2025 

  • Kasey Green: BFA, Graphic Design, Minor Art & Sociology 

Spring 2026 

  • Coral Hatch, BSW: Social Work
  • Leslie Vivas Perez, BS: Nursing 
     
Community Impact Recipients

Fall 2024 

  • Jessica Franco, BA: Graphic Design

Spring 2025

  • Dameris Paz-Mendoza, BS: Exercise Science

Fall 2025 

  • Lila Aldridge, BS: Fire Safety Engineering Technology
  • Jaylon Ricks, BA: Political Science
  • Eclipse Whetstone, BS: Computer Science, Cybersecurity 

Spring 2026

  • Kwabena Adusei, BS: Biology
  • Tatyana Torres, BS: Exercise Science 

     
Discovery Recipients

Spring 2026

  • Brendon Coats, BS: Biology
  • Isabella Cooper, BA: Political Science 
Passing the Pickaxe

Spring 2026

  • Betiel Berhe, BA: Sociology 
  • Christopher Ortega Saavedra, BS: Biology 
  • Madison Lewis, BS: Business Administration
Barrier Breaker

Spring 2026

  • Shannon Culler White, BS: Professional Studies 
  • Reina Rached, BS: Accounting (Expected Spring 2028) 
  • Dayanna Francisco, BS: Psychology,
First-Generation Champion Recipient

Spring 2025 

  • Luci Flores, BS: Public Health & BA: Spanish

Spring 2026

  • Shania Johnson, BA: Sociology