November 5, 2025
Ferris State’s new ‘First-Gen Den’ promotes academic growth, professional success for first-generation students
Ferris State University’s Office of First-Generation Initiatives is celebrating the grand-opening of the “First-Gen Den” in a continued effort to expand resources for fellow Bulldogs.
The new space is designed to promote academic growth and professional success for roughly 30% of Ferris Sate considered to be first-gen, while serving as a central hub for different needs.
The First-Gen Den ribbon-cutting is set for Friday, Nov. 14, at 2 p.m. in FLITE Library Room 119.
“This is really helpful for students to feel a sense of community and belongingness,” said Jenny Jakulin, administrator of First-Generation Student Engagement. “To have a space where they can ask questions, get additional support, access resources, and just have community.”
Dave McCall, Ferris State’s director of Title III SIP Grant and professor mentioned that establishing the space took years in the making to guarantee a space catered to first-generation students.
“It’s been a long time coming,” McCall said. “Five years of work to get this space we have now, and we’re representing 30% of our students that are currently first-gen… We have this space that really encompasses, probably, one of the largest demographics of students that Ferris State has.”
Ferris State was initially designated as a FirstGen Forward institution in 2019. FirstGen Forward is a group that recognizes higher education institutions that demonstrate a commitment to improving experiences and advancing outcomes of first-generation college students.
Since then, Ferris State has been elevated to a First-Gen Network Champion for focusing on evidence-based practices, leadership engagement, and enhancing student support catered for first-gen students.
“We started with about six of us in the room, and now there’s over 20 of us (faculty and staff) from all aspects of campus,” McCall said while describing who helped lead the groundwork behind the scenes. “I’ve had three bucket list items since I took over in 2019: a budget, a space, and full-time people doing this work.”
That work consisted of securing a Title III grant of roughly $2 million across five years to help fund multiple initiatives. This includes opening the new First-Gen Den, a leadership distinction program, and other resources to help students be successful.
Both Jakulin and McCall say that resources like this connect first-generation and new students with the Bulldog community, and help to overcome academic, professional, or personal obstacles.
“Helping our students through their challenges is our responsibility,” Jakulin said. “Academic support, stress management, and peer-mentoring, which is something that is forthcoming, really emphasizes our community of support. Sometimes you (students) don’t know what you don’t know, or what questions to ask.
“There’s a leadership development academy that will be started, there’s a career launch piece that helps first-gen student build social capital, and workshops that highlight what Jenny just said,” McCall continued. “What we have to be careful of is not assuming we know what students need but listening to the students and what they’re struggling with.”
A future goal for the First Gen Den is to have more full-time staff members to continue breaking down barriers for students before they ever step onto campus, up until they reach the point of entering the professional workforce.
“Students that are first gen have grit and strength,” Jakulin said. “I think making sure they see themselves through that lens through the asset-based approach (is the goal). They should be seen ‘at promise’, not ‘at risk’.”