DENTON (UNT), Texas — At the University of North Texas, the First in Business program within the G. Brint Ryan College of Business supports first-generation students with tailored mentorships and hands-on learning, helping them become impactful business leaders.

"The First in Business program is more than just an academic initiative — it's a lifeline for first-generation college students who are paving the way for themselves and their families,” said Marilyn Wiley, dean of the Ryan College of Business. “We recognize the first step into higher education can be the hardest, and this program is designed to make that step a little easier by equipping our students with the knowledge, confidence and network they need to not only succeed, but to thrive in their academic and professional endeavors."

First-generation students are those whose parents or guardians haven’t completed a bachelor’s degree. With 45% of the Ryan College of Business students being first-generation, targeted support for this group can have a significant impact.

Launched in Fall 2023 and funded by donors, the First in Business program aims to support first-generation students facing social and financial challenges. The program seeks to enhance achievement and career aspirations by addressing these barriers.

“The First in Business program makes higher education accessible for students who sometimes are left with more questions than answers,” said Christina Aguilar, director of Student Success and Recruitment at the Ryan College of Business. “We are the bridge to answers for things they otherwise would not know. We’ve become family for a lot of first-generation students who do not have that out of classroom support. We’ve become a home away from home for them.”

This fall, the program welcomes 17 new students, bringing the total to 40. Benefits include employment coaching, workshops, networking events, personalized advising, mentorship, cohort specific classes and stipends for books, business attire and professional development.

“It's a game changer for first-generation students to have a staff who are invested in them and a team that helps them navigate resources on campus to help them out,” Aguilar said. “It’s why we do what we do.”

First-generation students often face financial burdens and additional challenges, including difficulty adjusting to college life and limited access to corporate role models with key business skills.

“This program is important because we are filling in the gaps to give students a chance for breaking barriers and creating a positive generational pattern,” said Jamilah Kangudja, student success coordinator. “Once these students gain this education, it becomes an enduring asset they can never lose.”

To join the program, students need a minimum high school GPA of 3.3, optional letters of recommendation and an interview. To stay in the program, they must maintain a 2.75 GPA, compete required coursework and activities and stay in regular contact with their mentor. The program aims for a four-year graduation rate, internship experience and job or grad-school placement upon graduation. 75% of graduates who participate are expected to secure jobs with a starting salary above the regional average.

Santiago Lara is a UNT sophomore majoring in business finance who joined the First in Business program Fall 2023.

“As a first-generation student, it’s pretty scary at the beginning of college,” Lara said. “I often felt uncertain, but the First in Business Program connected me with others that were new to this experience like me. It also provided me support and guidance, helping me overcome my fears and navigate a path to achieving my goals.”

Fellow sophomore and First in Business program participant Robert Chacon is majoring in real estate and minoring in entrepreneurship.

“This program is special to me because it includes first-generation business students like me, who share similar struggles,” Chacon said. “This common ground makes it easier to ask questions and feel comfortable with my peers and friends who are in the program.”