FirstGen

firstgen.universityofcalifornia.edu

UC has long served as an engine of economic mobility for all Californians, regardless of income or family background. In 2017, an estimated 42 percent of new UC undergraduates were striving to be the first generation in their family to earn a college degree. The UC Marketing Communications team worked to build that successful pilot program into a systemwide effort spanning all 10 campuses with an integrated communication plan. To help those students feel welcome, more than 900 faculty who had also been the first in their families to go to college donned FirstGen T-shirts, buttons, and pins during the first week of classes, shared their stories with students, and offered them mentorship and support.

Branding

UC Marketing Communications created a #firstgen identity which was used across T-shirts, pins, and office insignia, allowing hundreds of faculty and academic leaders to identify themselves as first-gen and cast themselves as allies to new, incoming students.

Digital

The website showcases UC’s efforts to help first-gen students succeed. It contains messaging on our commitment to educating Californians, profiles of first-gen students across the campuses, illustrations depicting first-gen data pride points and campus resources for students.

Awards

GDUSA Award 2017: FirstGen Branding