First-Generation Coalition

The First-Generation Coalition began in 2019 with a group of passionate professionals committed to increasing the awareness of the unique challenges of first-generation students at the University of Nevada, Reno. This group of professionals are devoted to empower first-generation students to thrive at the University and beyond.

A first-generation student is defined as a student whose parent(s)/legal guardians(s) have not completed a bachelor’s degree.

We encourage you to use this website as a tool to find first-generation coalition members across campus as a support network. If you are looking for someone to connect with or simply have a question, feel free to connect with us. We are here to help you achieve academic success at the University of Nevada, Reno.

Mission statement

The First-Generation Coalition is comprised of academic and administrative faculty who are committed to creating positive experiences and advancing first-generation student success.

Purpose

First-Generation Coalition goals:

  • provide services to improve the success of first-generation students
  • plan and implement First Generation Week (week of November 8 every year)
  • share knowledge of successful practices utilized to serve first-generation students
  • secure senior leadership support and commitment to participation
  • increase awareness about first generation population across campus
  • provide and share networking and professional development opportunities
  • educate the University community and the community at large about first-generation student issues and initiatives
  • advocate for first-generation students across campus
  • assist with the recruitment and retention efforts of faculty, staff and students

Coalition leaders

First Generation Student Center Coalition Leaders
James Beattie
James Beattie, Ph.D.
Associate Director, First-Generation Student Center
(775) 682-8943
5986
First Generation Student Center Coalition Leaders
Chris Westin
Chris Westin, M.A.
CCAMPIS Assistant Director, CCAMPIS & TRIO Scholars
(775) 682-7779
5986

Coalition members

First Generation Student Center Allies
Matthew Aguirre
Matthew Aguirre
Director, Graduate Student Services and GSA Senior Advisor he, him, his
(775) 784-4629
JCSU 302
5461
First Generation Student Center Allies
Francisco Barbosa
Francisco Barbosa
Senior Project Coordinator
(775) 784-4978
5461
First Generation Student Center Allies
Emilly Borthwick-Wong
Emilly Borthwick-Wong
Director, University Advising Center
5461
First Generation Student Center Allies
Steve Calhoun
Steve Calhoun
Director of Advising, Recruitment and Retention, College of Science
(775) 682-8790
5461
First Generation Student Center Allies Bursar
Shirley Chambers
Shirley Chambers
Bursar
(775) 784-6167
5461 Bursar
First Generation Student Center Allies
Elizabeth Xeng De Los Santos
Elizabeth Xeng De Los Santos, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Secondary Education
(775) 682-7520
WRB 3113
5461
First Generation Student Center Allies
Jenna Dewar
Jenna Dewar, M.S., CFLE
Senior Lecturer of Human Development and Family Science she/her/hers
(775) 682-6838
WRB 3014
5461
First Generation Student Center Allies
Chris Dudash
Chris Dudash
Assistant Director
(775) 784-4978
5461
First Generation Student Center Allies
Nanci Fowler
Nanci Fowler
NSHE Specialist, First-Generation Student Center
(775) 682-7672
5461
First Generation Student Center Allies
Carla Franich
Carla Franich, M.A.
Program Director, Outreach and Community Relations she/her/hers
5461
First Generation Student Center Allies
Karen Gallardo
Karen Gallardo
Academic Advisor she/her/ella
(775) 682-7724
LH 314
5461
First Generation Student Center Allies
Mitzi Garcia Hernandez
Mitzi Garcia Hernandez
Academic Advisor
(775) 682-8743
OB 211
5461
First Generation Student Center Allies
Mariluz Garcia
Mariluz Garcia, Ph.D.
Dean's Future Scholars Executive Director
(775) 784-4237
WRB 4117
5461
First Generation Student Center Allies
Karla Hernández
Karla Hernández, Ph.D.
Associate Director
775-784-4665
PSAC 457
5461
First Generation Student Center Allies
Ellen Houston
Ellen Houston, M.A.
Executive Director, First-Generation Student Center
(775) 784-6044
5461
First Generation Student Center Allies
Paige Hurley
Paige Hurley
(775) 784-4666
5461
First Generation Student Center Allies
Eric James
Eric James
Chief of Police
(775) 784-4013
5461
First Generation Student Center Allies
Mari Jimenez-Ortiz
Mari Jimenez-Ortiz
Project Coordinator
(775) 784-4978
5461
First Generation Student Center Allies Undergraduate Research; Policy Informatics; Innovation; Research
Tanya Kelley
Tanya Kelley, Ph.D.
Director, Undergraduate Research She, Her, Hers
(775) 682-6634
ARF 328
5461 Undergraduate Research; Policy Informatics; Innovation; Research
First Generation Student Center Allies
Grace Leal
Grace Leal
Academic Advisor and Coordinator, Pre-professional Advancement
(775) 784-4684
PSAC 405
5461
First Generation Student Center Allies
Brenda Lopez
Brenda Lopez
Advisor
(775) 682-7764
OB 213
5461
First Generation Student Center Allies
Jennifer Lowman
Jennifer Lowman, Ph.D.
Director, Student Persistence Research
(775) 682-6844
5461
First Generation Student Center Allies
Joanne Mallari
Joanne Mallari
Program Specialist
(775) 784-6689
5461
First Generation Student Center Allies
Melissa McGovern
Melissa McGovern
UCAN Clinic Coordinator
(775) 682-7028
5461
First Generation Student Center Allies
Matt Miller
Matt Miller
Operations Manager, Joe Crowley Student Union
(775) 682-7409
5461
First Generation Student Center Allies
Leslie Nady
Leslie Nady
Chief of Staff, Office of the Provost
(775) 784-1255
5461
First Generation Student Center Allies
Romando Nash
Romando Nash
Associate Vice President for Student Life Services
(775) 784-1471
5461
First Generation Student Center Allies
Katie Newman
Katie Newman
Senior Manager, Safety & Human Resources She, her, hers
(775) 682-7046
5461
First Generation Student Center Allies
Manuel Ortiz
Manuel Ortiz, M.A.
Assistant Director
(775) 784-4237
WRB 4117
5461
First Generation Student Center Allies
Lauren Parker
Lauren Parker
Academic Advisor, College of Science
(775) 682-6132
OB 207
5461
First Generation Student Center Allies
Jeimi Picazo Farias
Jeimi Picazo Farias
Graduate Assistant, First in the Pack and Fostering the Pack Programs
(775) 784-6044
EJCH #203
5461
First Generation Student Center Allies
John Pratt
John Pratt
Veteran Services Coordinator
(775) 682-8040
5461
First Generation Student Center Allies
Jhasmine Rae Ambata
Jhasmine Rae Ambata
Academic Success Coordinator
(775) 682-6166
5461
First Generation Student Center Allies
Kenia Ramirez-Moreno
Kenia Ramirez-Moreno
Program Specialist
5461
First Generation Student Center Allies
Misty Riddle
Misty Riddle
Assistant Professor she/ her/ hers
(775) 682-7896
FA
5461
First Generation Student Center Allies
Ricky Salazar
Ricky Salazar, M.S.W.
Director of Fraternity & Sorority Life
(775) 682-6848
5461
First Generation Student Center Allies
Miranda Sanford
Miranda Sanford, M.A.
Academic Advisor
(775) 682-8745
LH 314
5461
First Generation Student Center Allies
Natalie Servellon
Natalie Servellon
Academic Advisor, College of Science
OB 206
5461
First Generation Student Center Allies
David Shintani
David Shintani
Vice Provost, Undergraduate Education
(775) 784-1740
5461
First Generation Student Center Allies
Jennifer Sims
Jennifer Sims
Director
(775) 682-6171
5461
First Generation Student Center Allies
Suzanne Turner
Suzanne Turner
Event Manager, Joe Crowley Student Union she, her, hers
(775) 682-7403
5461
First Generation Student Center Allies
Noah Walls
Noah Walls
Project Coordinator
(775) 784-4978
5461
First Generation Student Center Allies
Heather Williams
Heather Williams, M.A.
Associate Director, First-Generation Student Center
775-682-8789
5461
First Generation Student Center Allies
Keola Wong
Keola Wong
Coordinator, Student Advising and Development (API)
5461