The Newbury Center opened its doors in January 2021 with the goal of fostering the holistic success of first-generation students at Boston University—students we refer to as “Terrier Firsts.” We aim to become a highly visible, transformative unit of the University, offering programming and services designed to ensure that first-generation students experience the same sense of well-being, belonging, self-efficacy, and academic accomplishment as their continuing-generation peers. The center is located in the heart of campus, at 755 Commonwealth Ave. and is primarily funded by an endowment established with funds received from Newbury College, a private liberal arts college that served many first-generation students in nearby Brookline before closing its doors in 2019.
Specific initiatives include:
Support for navigating the financial aid system and developing financial literacy.
Programs and systems to help students know where to turn for academic support
and how to make the best use of the many available resources that ensure academic
success, such as writing programs and course selection advice.
Support for taking full advantage of internships and study abroad opportunities.
Cohort and mentoring programs to foster a sense of belonging.
Outreach to families to build understanding and shared commitment to academic
success and cocurricular engagement.
Part of fostering the first-generation student is providing them resources to help them succeed.
After Kathya Correa Almanza (CAS’25) was accepted to BU, her sister urged her to join clubs that would provide a sense of community. The San Francisco native, whose family is from Mexico, started researching student organizations and found Alianza Latina, BU’s largest Latinx student organization, on Instagram. When she arrived on campus, she immediately sought […]
Boston University's Fall Induction Ceremony for the Gamma Iota Chapter of the Alpha Alpha Alpha National Honor Society took place on Monday, April 10, 2023 at 6:00 pm EST. Livestream link will be posted the day of the ceremony.
Join us in celebrating all Graduate and Professional Students (especially our Terrier F1RSTS!) all week! Who is a first-generation graduate or professional student? A graduate or professional student whose parents/guardians/caregivers did not earn a master’s, doctorate, or professional degree, such as a JD or MD. First-Gen Graduate & Professional Student Networking Dinner (BUMC): Come celebrate […]
Keynote speaker is alum Jonathan Allen, cofounder of Boston-based nonprofit Leadership Brainery The graduate student experience can be drastically different from the undergraduate experience. From research and conferences to teaching responsibilities and finding off-campus housing, there are plenty of new, confusing frontiers to navigate—and doubly so if you’re the first person in your family to […]
Growing up in New York City in a predominantly immigrant community below the poverty line, Jerry Chen, a freshman in the College of Arts and Sciences, said he noticed gaps in the education system in his area. So he decided to do something about it. Chen is currently a housing intern working on special projects […]
What is a first-generation undergrad student? A student in the first generation of their family to go to college (i.e., a student whose parents/guardians/caregivers did not earn bachelor’s degrees, although elder siblings and cousins may be attending college already or have earned four-year degrees). What is a first-generation graduate/professional student? A student whose parents/guardians/caregivers did […]
Join the Boston University Newbury Center, Duke University First-Generation Graduate Student Network, and The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Carolina Grad Student F1RSTS, along with our new Cooperating Sponsor, the Center for First-generation Student Success, for our 6th annual symposium for graduate and professional students on February 24, 2023 via Zoom. This national symposium […]
Katarina “Kat” Quach (COM’24) is one of 100 college students recognized for their commitment to public service As a middle and high school student in Seattle, Wash., Katarina “Kat” Quach wanted to give students a voice, so she became active in student government. She also wanted to share her love of art, so she interned […]