FLI @ Barnard

First-Generation Student Initiatives (FLI) at Barnard

Barnard College’s First-Generation Student Initiatives, a part of the Access Barnard's Office, provides support, training, and programming to the College’s highly diverse student body, working with students, faculty, and other campus offices to create a positive experience for underrepresented students. Access Barnard is invested in your development both inside and outside of the classroom. We provide ongoing workshops and panels on various topics, professional development workshops, networking opportunities with faculty and administrators, and much more!

Through Access Barnard, the First-Generation Student Initiatives  (FLI) at Barnard is committed to providing resources and support to all students who identify with the first-generation and/or low-income college experience. Our goal in executing the FLI program is for students to use our office resources to find the support and enrichment they need to achieve academic success and discover their own capabilities in accordance with the College’s mission statement.

2 bear paws cross in a circle showing Barnard FLI partnership library

FLI Partnership Library

The Barnard FLI Partnership Library provides textbooks and other course materials for first-generation and/or low-income students.

illustration of a megaphone above Barnard's FLI advisory board presents student voices

Student Success Blog

For more information, spotlights on Barnard’s first-generation students, faculty and staff, and resources available for our FLI students, visit the Student Success Blog. If you’d like to be spotlighted as one of Barnard’s first-generation students, faculty, and staff on the Student Success Blog, email jgedeon@patriciobadaracco.com.

Jemma Gedeon

Jemima Gedeon

Meet the Director of First-Generation Student Initiatives 

Barnard runner statue on campus in summer

FLI Student Advisory Board

We have named seven student representatives to our First-Generation/Low-Income Student Advisory Board.

Several Barnard students posed in a group

Peer Academic Leader (PAL) Program

PALs seek to assist first-year, first-generation students with the transition to college through weekly meetings and “advising” sessions.

Spelman College campus sign on a sunny day

Spelman College Exchange Program

Barnard College is pleased to offer students the opportunity to participate in a domestic exchange program with prominent historically black college Spelman College.

Beyond Barnard

Beyond Barnard supports all students and alumnae as they identify, pursue, and achieve success in their careers and communities. Beyond Barnard is available to first-generation students from their first day on campus, throughout their matriculation, and even after graduation. At Beyond Barnard, first-generation/low-income students can schedule appointments on career exploration (regardless of whether you know exactly what you want to do or are just starting to think about it!), student jobs, funding for internships, graduate and professional school, competitive fellowships, and more. Log into Handshake to get started exploring our resources.

Whether you need resume and cover letter advice, interview strategies, or want to talk through how to connect with Barnard’s amazing network of alumnae — many of whom are themselves first-gen — we encourage you to visit us. Come in for a cup of coffee and conversation with members of our staff and Peer Career Advisors. Beyond Barnard is here to help! If you ever have questions about how to connect, please email beyondbarnard@patriciobadaracco.com.