Succeed from the Start

When asked what advice Duquesne student Caterina "Cat" Veneziano (pictured above) has for other first-generation college students like herself, she explained that being first-gen can be challenging—but also so rewarding. 

"It’s exciting to see the joy my family holds helping me pursue a dream they have had all their lives. Be proud you are a first-generation college student!"

Cat Veneziano E’24, GE’25

"Find people you can rely on and trust to help you through the process," she encourages, "and make the most out of your college experience." At Duquesne, we're here to help you do just that.

Commitment to First-Generation Student Success

Duquesne University is one of 80 new members selected for the 2024-2025 FirstGen Forward Network, a national scaling model that brings together higher education leaders from around the country to share data, model innovation and scale impact to first-generation student support.

The FirstGen Forward Network provides a three-phase approach to scaling holistic first-generation student success by engaging and empowering higher education institutions to transform the first-generation student experience, advance academic and co-curricular outcomes and build more inclusive institutional structures. 

Learn more about Duquesne's commitment to first-generation student success.

First-Gen Life at Duquesne

Our first-generation college students—students whose parents or guardians did not obtain a four-year degree from a college or university—receive direct support and opportunities to engage in the many aspects of the Duquesne campus community.

Approximately 30% of all students at Duquesne University identify as first generation.

Here are just some of the ways we encourage our first-gen students to get involved:

  • Attend our annual campus-wide recognition event for first-generation college students as part of the National First-Generation College Celebration.
  • Connect with faculty, staff and administrators during various special events and workshops throughout the academic year.
  • Start one-on-one conversations with staff at Duquesne about your first-gen experience at the University. Many staff were first-generation college students themselves!
  • Attend community-building activities to connect you with upperclass first-fen students and alumni.
Duquesne students holding First Generation mugs at a First Gen event in the Student Union.

Our first-gen students have worked hard to get here.

We're so proud of them.

Watch new reel on Instagram

First Gen Students, Alumni & Leadership

Leanna Fenneberg posing on campus

“As a first-generation student, I know firsthand the importance of fostering an environment where all students can thrive. From the beginning, Duquesne has been dedicated to walking alongside students and providing necessary support to ensure all students can fulfill their potential.”

Dr. Leanna Fenneberg Senior Vice President for Student Life
Outdoor headshot of Dr. David Dausey

"Creating a supportive environment for first-generation students is a priority. As a former first-gen student, I understand the challenges these students can face in fully acclimating to college. Duquesne takes pride in providing our first-gen students with the resources they need to make the most of their college experience."

Dr. David Dausey Executive Vice President and Provost
Pictured is Jakobie Green, finance major

“My biggest motivation is my family and God. They mean the most to me, and to know that I am not only representing myself, but my family, is all that matters.”

Jakobie Green '25 Finance Major
More from Jakobie
Pictured are Duquesne graduates and sisters Alysia McCray and Candis Dorsey

"My children have been with me on A-Walk, they’ve joined me in class and seen me doing lab work. We are helping them grow and starting a new generation of learners in our family.”

Alysia McCray '24 and Candis Dorsey '24 (sisters) Biological Sciences and Corporate Communications Alumni
Sisters make college a family tradition
Pictured is Lei'Asha Battle, a nursing major.

"As a first-generation college student, being a Gussin Endowed Scholar means the world to me. This opportunity gives me a chance to make my family proud.”

Lei’Asha Battle '25 Nursing Major
More from Lei'Asha
Pictured is Ashley Melo, double major in psychology and sociology

"Being the first in my family to afford college is a big deal. There was a lot of talk around that with Duquesne Admissions and my family."

Ashley Melo '25 Psychology and Sociology Double Major
Learn about Ashley
Pictured is Caterina ("Cat") Veneziano '24, '25

"It’s exciting to see the joy my family holds helping me pursue a dream they have had all their lives. Be proud you are a first-generation college student!”

Caterina ("Cat") Veneziano E’24, GE’25 M.S.Ed. in Special Education student and B.S.Ed. in Early Childhood Education Graduate
Read Cat's story
Pictured is nursing graduate Emmala Le

"Duquesne truly become a home away from home, and I grew so much – as a person and a future nurse. Attending Duquesne has been one of my best decisions."

Emmala Le '23 Nursing Alumna and Nurse at Lancaster General Health
Meet Emmala

First-Gen Resources for the DU Community

Explore the many first-generation resources available to our Duquesne University community.

Counseling Center

Center for Excellence in Diversity and Student Inclusion

Health Services 

Recreation Services

Disability Services

Career Services

Support and Skills-Based Groups

Our Duquesne Counseling Center offers free support groups and coping skills-based groups to all Duquesne students, with topics that reflect student needs. Examples of groups offered include: Study Skills, Body Compassion/Self-Image, Black Student Support, LGBTQ+ Support, New Student Adjustment, Stress Management and more.

For up-to-date information on groups offered, contact the Counseling Center via email, by phone at (412) 396-6204 or visit the Group Therapy and Psychoeducational Seminars webpage (DU log in required).

The Clay Center for Young Healthy Minds

Ourselves Black

ReSolve Crisis Services
Call 1-888-796-8226 before a crisis becomes a crisis. Free 24/7 mental health support is available to anyone in Allegheny County.

Hope for the Day
Find help near you. Locate resources such as food, healthcare, mental health, housing, legal advice, education and more. 

The 2025–26 FAFSA® form will be available on or before Dec. 1, 2024, for the award year that runs from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026.

Federal Work-Study provides part-time jobs for students with financial need, allowing them to earn money while in school, focusing on community service or their field of study, and is administered by participating schools. At Duquesne, you can work 15 hours a week at about $12 an hour.

FAFSA® can be taken away with unsatisfactory grades. Students should keep their grades aligned with school requirements.

Loans

  • Direct Subsidized Loans are for undergraduates with financial need, and the government pays the interest while you're in school. They are available to all students, regardless of financial need, with interest accruing during school.

  • Direct PLUS Loans are for parents of undergraduates or for graduate students. These loans need your parents to get approved. If denied, students may be offered more on their Direct Unsubsidized Loan.
Talk to the Financial Aid Office about book vouchers. There are vouchers to use at the Duquesne bookstore. The money for the voucher will be charged to your student account.
Students: Be sure to gain a faculty and/or staff mentor(s) throughout your college experience. Approximately 90% of college graduates report that mentors helped their academic and career goals.