Welcome from Dr. Shelley Dempsey, Assistant Provost for Graduation and Retention
Welcome to the University of South Carolina where we are proud to boast a significant population of first-generation students, faculty, and staff. As Gamecocks, we pride ourselves on the ability to participate as a community of learners who support each other and celebrate the small victories along the way to graduation.
Our inaugural First-Gen Center on the USC campus serves anyone who identifies as first-generation. Through a faculty-led Living and Learning Community, opportunities for mentoring, and partnerships and collaborations with academic and administrative units, we are able to serve first-generation students better than ever and also provide a venue for faculty and staff to support these students along their journey to degree completion.
To all members of the First-Gen community, thank you for your contributions to our campus. Let’s keep going together!
Our Mission
The mission of the FGC is to connect first-generation students with resources to successfully navigate their progress towards graduation, and to recognize the value and unique strengths they bring to USC and the community at large. The FGC promotes student support and advocacy, comprehensive programming, mentorship initiatives, connections to campus partners and resources, and a culture of scholarship and research.
Our Vision
The First-Generation Center (FGC) will serve as a centralized hub to support the first-generation community — personally, professionally, and academically. FGC is an inclusive community that equips every first-generation student with the resources, guidance, and opportunities they need to excel in their journey within and beyond USC. Through collaborative partnerships, personalized support, and innovative programming, we will build a culture of resilience, belonging, and achievement ensuring all first-generation students reach their full potential and make a positive impact in their communities
Our Team
Dr. LaNaé Budden is a proud first-generation college graduate and serves as the inaugural Director of the First-Generation Center at the University of South Carolina. In this role, she has the unique opportunity to develop initiatives to support first-generation students by connecting them with resources to successfully navigate their progress towards graduation.
She earned a bachelor’s degree in communication from Old Dominion University, a master’s degree in college student personnel from Bowling Green State University and a doctorate in Organizational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University. With over 20 years of experience in higher education in various administrative and executive leadership roles, Dr. Budden is most looking forward to creating another level of support for first-gen students to help them make the most of their Carolina experience.
Melissa Kupfer serves as the Assistant Director for the First-Generation Center at the University of South Carolina and supports the development of students’ academic and personal goals by providing opportunities for student engagement within the University community. She earned her B.S. in Human Development and Learning (K-8) from the University of Memphis and her M.Ed. in Higher Education and Student Affairs from the University of South Carolina. Melissa joined USC in 2005 and has held a variety of student support roles during her employment. As a first-gen student herself she is invested in helping other first-gen students be successful in college and achieve their educational goals.