SPOTLIGHT First-Generation Fellows Program

Established in 2015, the First-Generation Fellows program provides comprehensive support to a rapidly growing student population at SAIC: students who are from the first generation in their families to attend college. With a $1,000,000 investment from SAIC Board Chair Anita Sinha and her husband, Prabhakant Sinha, a member of the Art Institute of Chicago's Board of Trustees, the program is poised to expand mentorship, community building activities, and workshops in the current academic year.

First-Generation Fellow Peer Mentor

Alex Bortell (BFA 2024) reflects on how important the program is to keeping first-gen students on track: “The faculty members at SAIC have been an invaluable source of support since my first year. The on-campus employment aspect of the program also played a major role in my success, as it provided me with opportunities to forge connections across various departments and industries and develop a network of resources and mentors.”