Washington and Lee University is committed to ensuring the success of our students who are first in their family to attend college. We are here to assist you and answer any questions you may have regarding the application process, financial aid, academics, and social life.
Washington and Lee University recognizes that being the first in your family is a huge accomplishment, and we are excited to cheer you on as you as you embark on this journey. We want to ensure that you have access to all the resources and support you may need as you learn and grow with us. We are here to answer any questions you may have regarding the application process, financial aid, academics, and social life. While we offer year-round events for you and your family to learn about life at W&L and beyond, we recognize that mentors, professors, and peers can serve as valuable resources. Your faculty adviser, professors, resident adviser, peer counselor, and class deans believe in keeping their doors open and are available to talk with you. While college can present many challenges, at W&L you won't be alone.
We know parents and guardians play an important role in your life and we want equip them with the tools they need to assist you. We offer sessions for parents of first generation students during parent-orientation, our two first-year student move-in weekends, and again during parents and family weekend. Deans Jason Rodocker, Ronda Bryant, Kyle McCoil and Megan Hobb were first-generation students who now have graduate degrees. Please contact your class dean if you have any questions or concerns at any time or would like to be connected with other first-generation students. For first-generation programming and support please contact Heidi Bustos.
Our support for First-Gen students come from a good place - within our own ranks. There are faculty and staff members within the W&L community who themselves were first generation college student and they are available as a resource and support structure for others.