Holy Family University has been awarded $850,000 to fund its new First-Generation Success and Innovation Hub, a center that will provide first-generation students with a wealth of resources to help them succeed in their pursuit of a college education.

U.S. Rep. Brendan Boyle recently presented Holy Family President Dr. Anne Prisco with a check during Holy Family’s First-Gen Celebration Day, an event held annually that honors Holy Family students who are the first in their family to attend college.

Dr. Prisco, herself a first-generation student, discussed how important it is for Holy Family to invest in resources to help first-generation students succeed.

“Thank you to Congressman Brendan Boyle for this historic investment in first-generation college students here in Northeast Philadelphia,” she said. “As a first-generation college student, and the President of a university with a population of 45 percent first-generation college students, I can’t echo enough how important this funding will be to our students. Nationally, only 27 percent of first-gen students complete their bachelor’s degree in four years, and this funding is a commitment to change that.”

First-generation college students face unique challenges compared with their continuing-education peers, including difficulty financing a college education, limited knowledge about college life, cultural and language barriers, the need to work a job while in school, and the need to commute long distances to and from campus. Boyle discussed how he faced several obstacles as a first-generation college graduate.

“I know how challenging it can be to navigate higher education without a roadmap,” he said. “This funding will help create a hub where students can access the resources and community they need to not only succeed academically, but also build the confidence and skills to thrive in their careers and lives. It’s an investment in their future and in the strength of our community.”

Learn more about how Holy Family University embraces diversity and inclusion, ensuring a welcoming and accessible learning community for all.