Help Us Support First-Gen Scholars!
At University of California Press, we amplify the voices of first-generation scholars—those who are the first in their family to receive a college degree—through our pioneering FirstGen Program.
Now in its 5th year, UC Press has signed 145 books and published 61 titles by first-generation scholars through the program.
UC Press Foundation is launching a spring campaign to help raise funds for the FirstGen Program. As a valued member of our community, we want to share with you what the program means to participating authors, supportive donors, and the broader network it serves.
Learn more below and support the FirstGen Program with a gift today!
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How we support first-generation authors
- Financial grants to help offset book-related costs typically borne by the author
- Workshops and webinars with publishing professionals
- Accessible online resources about book publishing
- Brown bag events offering guidance throughout the book publishing process
Author highlight
Alyssa Michaud, author of Automatic Artistry: Negotiating Musical Creativity in a Technological Age, shares this reflection on the program:
It would be difficult to overstate how grateful I was for the support of the FirstGen Program during my publication journey, and how impressed I was with the thoughtful effort that the team at UC Press put into each resource and event. Not only was my book significantly better because of the support I received through this program, but as an author, I was inspired by the enthusiasm and care of the UC Press team, I was encouraged by my connection to my cohort of FirstGen peers, and I came to trust that my questions were safe to ask and my voice was worth amplifying.
Supporting the wider FirstGen community
The UC Press FirstGen Program supports first-generation scholars not only in the publication of their work, but also by fostering a sense of community through virtual events and online resources where scholars share their experiences and hear directly from publishing professionals. These resources are available to all.
FirstGen Program Events and Resources
- Webinars and publishing workshops
- Brown bag events for participating authors
- Ask Our Staff series
- Interviews with UC Press editors
- Author promotions toolkit
- Book proposal guidelines
Recent Webinar Highlight
Last month, the FirstGen Program hosted the webinar Navigating Publishing and Academia as a FirstGen Scholar. It brought together FirstGen authors Nic John Ramos and Michaela Soyer as well as UC Press staff members Michelle Lipinski, Teresa Iafolla, and Raina Polivka to discuss the challenges facing first-generation scholars in academia, strategies for navigating tenure and promotion, the role of the book and how to work with a publisher, and the importance of mentors and community.
More than 130 people attended the webinar, the majority of whom identified as first-generation (90%) and early in their career (60%). The feedback from those participating was overwhelmingly positive, as the following comment from one attendee demonstrates:
So glad to have been able to attend this session. I learned a lot, felt encouraged by the community's enthusiasm, and appreciated the ideas the panelists shared. Thank you!
Supporting the Program's Future
At UC Press, we support the innovative work of first-generation scholars through our FirstGen Program. This work is made possible through a combination of annual gifts, institutional funding, and an exciting new endowment to support the program’s future.
This year, in partnership with supporter Marjorie Randolph, the UC Press Foundation has created a new endowed fund that, once fully established, will help provide lasting support for authors and the program. Marjorie shared the following statement on what drew her to this decision:
My parents were challenged by finances and schooling, but worked very hard to ensure their children had the tools needed for a strong education. My siblings and I are the first to attend college and receive a degree in my family. When I learned that the UC Press FirstGen Program develops resources critical for new scholars and their success, I felt that it represented my upbringing and the best example of how to provide help for authors in the publishing field. I am honored to be one of the donors for the FirstGen Program and look forward to others joining me in support of first-generation authors.
UC Press is investing in FirstGen and so is our community. As the program grows, current funding only underwrites a small portion of what is needed to sustain the program. We're hopeful that more donors like you can help us build a more inclusive future for scholarship.
Please consider making a tax-deductible gift today to sustain this work. Your gift will help us reach our goal of raising $20,000 by next week.