First Generation

First-generation students are those UK scholars whose parents or guardians have not received a four-year degree. More than a third of undergraduates seeking a degree from the College of Public Health (CPH) classify as first-generation students—giving CPH one of the highest-percentage populations of first-generation students of any college at the University of Kentucky.

First-generation students have some shared challenges. This webpage centralizes resources available to first-generation students, including programs and student services available across UK’s campus.

You are also invited to read the stories of several CPH community members who share their own first-generation student perspectives. These first-generation faculty, staff, alumni, and current students have communicated their lived experiences to help inspire future and current first-generation students seeking a public health education.