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Get Involved with FGI


UT LEAD Living & Learning Community

● The UT LEAD Living & Learning Community (LLC) is a two-semester residential program for first-year, first-generation college students. The UT LEAD LLC provides first-generation students with opportunities to build support networks with their peers, UT faculty and staff, and alumni through shared course work, social interactions, and monthly programs.

● UT LEAD LLC students are also eligible for a $1,000 scholarship ($500 fall and $500 spring) for successfully completing program requirements.

● Incoming first-year, first-generation students interested in living in the UT LEAD LLC should review program requirements and components before completing an application. Review UT LEAD LLC requirements here.

First-Generation Ambassadors

First-Generation Ambassadors (FGAs) are enthusiastic and encouraging role models, mentors, and peer sources of information for incoming first-year scholars identifying as first-generation. FGAs provide academic, social, and emotional support to our first-gen scholars by providing consistent communication, scheduling personal meetings to check in throughout the semester, and attending programs, workshops, or campus events with their mentees to ensure their start at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville is successful. Click here to meet our 2021 First-Generation Ambassadors!

Alpha Alpha Alpha First-Generation Honor Society

On May 17, 2021, the University of Tennessee, Knoxville was granted its charter to establish the Gamma Upsilon Chapter of Alpha Alpha Alpha Honors Society. Tri-Alpha , as it is known, is an honor society for first-generation college students. The purpose of the University of Tennessee Knoxville’s chapter is to recognize the academic achievements in first-generation college students, create enthusiasm for scholarship, to promote leadership, and to provide support networks for first-generation students within and across college chapters. The honor society is open to both undergraduate and graduate students, and may also include faculty and staff members, as well as honorary inductees.

Click here to learn more about about membership criteria and the benefits of joining Tri-Alpha.