One of Chapman’s earliest beliefs was that everyone should have access to an education. In this day and age, Chapman upholds that belief through the First-Generations and Promising Futures Program.  

The First-Generations and Promising Futures Program was established to support first-generation students throughout their academic journey at Chapman by providing a community and support system.

“It takes a village,” said Gabriela Castañeda, vice president of the program. “It takes a support system to thrive, and I don’t want any (students) to ever feel like (they) are on this journey alone.” 

The program’s Homecoming open house was an event to welcome students, staff and family to a new space for the program. The new office is located at 576 North Glassell Street, and is open to all students, not only first-generation. 

“I want this to be a place where students, regardless of whether you identify as first-gen or not, find a place that is welcoming,” said Castañeda.

President Matt Parlow also made an appearance at the open house and delivered a statement about the program and its importance to Chapman. 

“We really try to support all of our students: where they come from, what their needs are and (how) to be successful,” said Parlow. “It’s part of our personal educational experience at Chapman.”

As of fall 2024, 21% of Chapman students are first-generation students, according to Chapman University Student Enrollment Data, and 96% of those students are full-time. In 2022, 19.2% of the population was first-generation, and in 2020, 18.4%. 

The population has been steadily increasing over the past few years, with 51% of the first-generation population stating that Chapman was their first choice university.

Chapman’s first-generation students have a 91% graduation rate. The university also has an 88% graduation rate for first-gen transfer students. 

Several programs and organizations at Chapman focus on first-generation students, the main one being the Summer Bridge Builder Program.  

The Bridge Builder Program is designed for incoming first-generation students to connect with other first-generation students, both in their year and older, to help build a community and answer questions about college life. 

“If it weren’t for that email over the summer, I wouldn’t even know what I would be doing at Chapman,” said Evelyn Gaona, a sophomore sociology and strategic communication double major. “Honestly, I don’t think I would be at Chapman if I didn’t find that community that bridge offered.”

The program helps first-generation students by connecting them with other students before orientation to establish a foundation and a community that they can reach out to for help and support before the school year begins. 

“They have given me community, they’ve given me friendship (and) they’ve given me support that (I) need,” said Beck Rosales, a sophomore accounting major.

Rosales additionally serves as the photographer and editor for the Summer Bridge Builder Program. Every year, the Summer Bridge Program takes place, students can volunteer to be a mentor or work behind the scenes to support the program. 

Rosales told The Panther that she pitched herself to be the photographer and editor for the program, and the department loved the idea, so they gave her the job. She uses her position to give back to the community that has helped her in her journey at Chapman.   

“We are here to serve, and I will do what I can to bring (students) the resources that they need,” said Castañeda. “That goes across the board for all of our students.”