Johns Hopkins University is hosting the 2025 First-Generation Limited-Income Consortium annual conference this week, under the theme "Our North Star Moment: The Promise and Challenge of FGLI Student Success in a Time of Uncertainty."
The national conference, which runs Tuesday through Friday, brings together administrators and faculty to build community, share insights, and develop promising practices that support first-generation and/or limited-income college students. About 30% of current Hopkins undergrads are first-generation and/or limited-income, up from 17% in 2013.
"Our FLI students are here at Hopkins because they are some of the most accomplished and promising young people in the world, and our academic community is enriched by their talent, perspectives, and experiences," said Rachelle Hernandez, vice provost for student affairs. "We are honored to host the FGLI conference—bringing together experts and innovators from across the nation to share knowledge, best practices, and scholarship that advances our shared commitment to ensuring a great university education is accessible to all students based on merit, not means."
The conference will open with a keynote panel featuring leading voices in policymaking, government advocacy, and media along with leaders and practitioners engaged in the national conversation on first-generation limited-income student initiatives. The panel will be moderated by Jenn White, host of 1A on WAMU. Joining her will be:
- Wil Del Pilar, senior vice president at The Education Trust
- Ernest Ezeugo, strategy officer for federal policy at the Lumina Foundation
- Julie Groeninger, assistant vice president of government affairs at Princeton University
- Nina Vazquez, community organizer for the Connecticut Center for Leadership and Justice
A faculty keynote presentation will feature Rashné Jehangir, founding director of the First Gen Institute at the University of Minnesota.
Additional remarks will be delivered by members of the wider FGLI Consortium's executive committee as well as senior leadership from Johns Hopkins University, including Hernandez; Tiffany Beth Mfume, associate vice provost for student success and retention initiatives; and Brittini Brown, associate vice provost for student engagement and dean of students. More information on panels and speakers can be found at this link.
"I am truly honored to serve as the conference chair host for the 2025 FGLI Annual Conference at Hopkins," said Liana C. Mentor, senior director of success coaching and academic advising at Johns Hopkins University. "This gathering provides an invaluable opportunity to exchange ideas, share best practices, and strengthen our collective commitment to advancing FLI student success. At Hopkins, we are proud to showcase the holistic support and resources we provide to empower our FLI students to thrive academically, personally, and professionally."
In 2018, Michael R. Bloomberg—founder of Bloomberg LP and Bloomberg Philanthropies, the 108th mayor of New York City, and a member of the Johns Hopkins University Class of 1964—made a historic gift of $1.8 billion to JHU that allowed the university to become permanently need blind and no-loan in financial aid, in addition to dramatically and permanently expanding financial aid support for Hopkins undergrads and their families. The gift also paired the increased financial aid with new mentoring resources and support programs for FLI students on campus.
"Our work is strongest when it's rooted in partnership, collaboration, and shared vision because none of us do this work alone," said Bryan Capers, director and conference co-chair. "Together, we are creating physical, social, and emotional spaces where students' voices, experiences, and contributions are recognized as assets that shape our institutions. This conference brings me great excitement as it is a gathering of professionals who believe in community building, belonging, and the immense talent our students and families bring. I look forward to learning with and from practitioners at the FGLI conference."
Previous hosts include Princeton University, the University of Chicago, Northwestern University, and the University of Notre Dame.
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