First Generation Students

During each academic year, ESU hosts monthly gatherings for GenOne students. Each luncheon, with free food provided, focuses on connecting the GenOne community, ensuring that students are connected, and highlighting important services and supports to navigate campus and be successful academically.

At past luncheons topic have featured understanding academic tutoring, building resumes, applying for scholarships, participating in student events, and accessing mental health counseling. To get more information about the GenOne Fellowship Luncheons, Get Connected!

The purpose of this organization is to create and sustain an environment for first-generation college students, create enthusiasm for scholarship, to promote leadership, and to provide support networks for such at East Stroudsburg University.

The club focuses on students being able to be accepted, valued, trusted, and respected, cared for and encouraged to be an active and responsible member of the school community.  They shall also help to create a network of support amongst each other as first-generation students. Join the Generation One Club on Warrior Link

The purpose of this organization is to recognize academic achievements in first-generation college students, create enthusiasm for scholarship, to promote leadership, and to provide support networks for first-generation East Stroudsburg University students.

Members and advisors are to support Tri-Alpha in creating and sustaining an environment in which each student is known, accepted, and valued, trusted, and respected, cared for and encouraged to be an active and responsible member of the school community. They shall also help to create a network of support for first-generation students, whether those students are eligible for induction.

First generation and new to ESU students and their families are invited to join ESU for exclusive GenOne sessions to support to aid in their transition and connections to campus.

After the sessions, the attendees will have the opportunity to enjoy all the events prepared for the weekend.

The program requires registration and attendees will receive meals, football tickets, and more. To get more information about the GenOne Fellowship Luncheons, Get Connected!

GenOne Celebration Week at ESU is held in November, that coincides with National First-Generation College Day on November 8, designed to foster campus connections and a sense of belonging among ESU first-generation students. Throughout the week, ESU will highlight first generation students, faculty, and staff to bring awareness of the GenOne community that is on the campus.

It is a week to celebrate, connect, and empower GenOne students! Other incentives for attending the week's events include drawings and give-a-ways for ESU Warrior and GenOne gear. All the exclusive events are completely free, and several ones that you will need to register for to attend. For information on this year's schedule of events, follow the GenOne Instagram, join the Generation One student organizations, check your email for a personal invitation, or read Warrior Notes.

The College Bound ESU is a free program designed to connect local middle school students from JT Lambert Intermediate School and Stroudsburg Middle School, whose parents did not complete a 4-year college degree, with the resources to be First Generation College Students.

The program is a school day field trip to the ESU campus to visit and learn about different academic departments and college life. The program will be comprised of visits to campus that will engage students by:

• Exploring interests/majors
• Connecting students with GenOne college student mentors
• Experiencing campus life
• Reinforcing the importance and impact of high school academics
• Gaining an appreciation for and benefits of a higher education degree
• Preparing students to better understand how to get admitted and financial opportunities and pathways.
• Demonstrating that college is an achievable goal.

Get Connected! to be a GenOne Mentor for College Bound ESU campus visits.

The scholarship was established to support students who are first-generation college students (neither parent nor guardian graduated from a 4-year institution) and who demonstrate significant financial need.

Carole Reilly was a single mother who raised 4 children and worked as the professional secretary for the Student Government Association, formerly known as the Student Senate. After her passing in 2010, this scholarship was created in her honor. It stands today as a model of her strength, dedication, and determination to support her children and to allow them the opportunity to further their education at various institutions of higher education. Carole’s strong values enabled her to nurture the success of many student leaders at ESU throughout her 28 years of employment with the Student Activity Association.

Recipients must be enrolled in the spring semester as an undergraduate student, have completed at least 12 credits at ESU with a GPA of 2.5 or higher. To complete the application, you will be required to relay "What inspired you to be a first-generation college student, and why did you choose East Stroudsburg University?" In addition, a list the co-curricular activities you are currently involved in is required to be submitted. Award winners are selected by the ESU Student Activity Association (SAA) Board of Directors.

The annual scholarship application is available in March for the following academic year. For eligibility and more information, please visit the ESU Foundation's Carole L. Reilly GenOne Scholarship webpage.