Resources

On-Campus Resources for First Generation College Students

Ohio Wesleyan is dedicated to supporting our first generation and all incoming college students. Explore some of the offices and programs below to learn more about support systems on our campus. Many other colleges and universities have similar resources to offer. If you are not sure what support systems a college or university offers, contact your admission representative or search their website.

1.  Bridge Program
   This program welcomes first generation students – and students from other historically underrepresented groups in higher education – to campus during the summer before their first year. Students learn about the campus, resources available, and develop study skills. They also begin to build a support network.
2. Sagan Academic Resource Center
   This office provides academic support for students through tutoring, the writing center, the quantitative skills center, and the accessibility services office. Most services are free to all current students, though we do offer a fee-based academic coaching program to students who need an additional level of academic and out-of-class support.
3. Counseling Services
   At OWU, we employ professional counselors who are available for individual, couple, and group counseling. This office also provides wellness training for students, faculty, and staff.
4. Office of Multicultural Student Affairs
   The Office of Multicultural Student Affairs (OMSA) takes the lead on providing support for students of marginalized identities, specifically students of color, LGBTQIA students, first generation students, and/or low income students. This office provides a variety of programs and services to students, including planning events for Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration, sending students to conferences across the country, and leading a travel learning course on American civil rights history.
5. Women’s Resource Center
   This center provides information and programs to empower women to deal with the unique challenges they face on campus and to become advocates for women in the local, national, and international sphere. The WRC’s programs and resources seek to foster healthy communication between men and women and improve community interactions.
6. Spectrum Resource Center
   The purpose of the Spectrum Resource Center is to help provide LGBTQIA+ persons, their friends, their families, and allies with tools to address LGBTQIA-related issues and to assist in educating the campus community at large. Past programming includes PRIDE week celebrations and the annual drag show.

Other Resources

If you are interested in learning more about outside resources available to first generation students or to first-time college applicants, check out the links below.

1. BigFuture
   This website is offered by the CollegeBoard. You can search for colleges that match your preferences, explore the college resource guide, and use the scholarship search feature.
2. StudentAid.gov
   This website offers a comprehensive overview of financial aid, the timeline for applying for aid, and funding options.
3. ACT College & Career Planning Resources
   The ACT website provides many great articles about applying to college, financing college, and thinking about your future career.
4. Teen Vogue Article
   This article is light-hearted and provides a lot of great advice on how to succeed during your first semester of college.
5. U.S. News & World Report Article
   This article discusses some of the challenges that first generation college students face, but it also offers some advice to students.
6. Bishop+
   At Ohio Wesleyan, we host a series of virtual events. Some of the events, particularly those in the Bishop+: Road to College series, focus on tips and tricks for applying to college and navigating the college process. You can sign up for future events and watch past videos at the link provided.
7. Bishop Banter
   This podcast gives you insights into the OWU experience and offers some great advice for students entering their first year of college.