Empowering First-Generation Faculty, a new faculty development opportunity offered by the Office of Undergraduate Education, welcomed its first cohort of participants this month. The program supports the ISP’s goals to create an equitable and inclusive community by cultivating belonging and safety for every campus member to bring their whole and full selves to their work.  

Throughout the 2023-24 Academic Year, the cohort will participate in sessions that are designed to create an inclusive space for faculty that were first-generation college students themselves to develop strategies and skills to foster inclusivity in their teaching, classrooms, and labs spaces. Mioy Huynh, one of this year’s inaugural cohort and an Academic Professional in the School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, applied for the program because of his own experiences as a first-generation college student and his awareness of the unique struggles many first-gen students face. Huynh is particularly interested in creating a supportive and inclusive environment in his own classrooms, and in developing “effective mechanisms to engage first-generation and limited-income students in ways that are supportive but do not 'other' them.” 

Anna Holcomb, Director of Retention & Completion Initiatives said, “We know that sense of belonging is vital in our student success work and students experience a boost when they engage with faculty from similar backgrounds as their own. However, first-generation identity isn’t always outwardly presented, so we have to give our faculty tools to intentionally and authentically share their experiences with their students.” The program, which is co-led by First-Generation Student Initiatives and Retention & Completion Initiatives, both initiatives within Academic Success & Advising, hopes to create a bridge between first-generation faculty and students at Georgia Tech. 

This year’s cohort includes:

  • Justin Chandler, Marion L. Brittain Postdoctoral Fellow, School of Literature, Media, and Communication 

  • Carol Colatrella, Professor & Co-Director, Center for the Center for the Study of Women, Science, & Technology, School of Literature, Media, and Communication 

  • Misty Fuller, Marion L. Brittain Postdoctoral Fellow & Assistant Director of the Writing & Communication Program, School of Literature, Media, and Communication 

  • Jillann Hertel, Senior Academic Professional, School of Literature, Media, and Communication 

  • Mioy Huynh, Academic Professional, School of Chemistry and Biochemistry 

  • Molly Roland, Visiting Lecturer, School of Literature, Media, and Communication 

  • Shi Joyce Sim, Research Scientist, School of Earth and Atmospheric Science 

  • Wendy Truran, Marion L. Brittain Postdoctoral Fellow, School of Literature, Media, and Communication 

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