First Falcons Connect
First Falcons Connect (FFC) is an optional first-year experience for first-generation college students at Bentley University. Participating students will experience their first year of college through a cohort structure supported by fellow first-year students, upper-class peers, faculty, and staff—all of whom are first-generation college students. FFC cohorts will move together through the Bentley first-year experience, including the New Falcon Experience (one week before fall classes begin), Falcon Discovery Seminar 100 (fall semester) and Career Design Introduction 101 (spring semester). Students in FFC will also be invited to live in the First-Gen Defined Community in Bentley’s first-year residence halls. The primary benefit of the program is the support of a tight-knit community of first-gen peers, faculty, and staff to guide students through their first-year transition.
Be Part of First Falcons Connect
Falcon Discovery Seminar (FDS 100)
FDS is designed to welcome Bentley first-year students into our academic community and to inspire students to commit to lifelong learning. Each FDS section explores a “wicked problem” that involves a creative approach to problem solving and a willingness to entertain new ideas and critically evaluate information. FDS sections are co-taught by a full-time Bentley faculty member and an upper-class student peer leader.
FDS 100 is a required course for all first-year Bentley students. Students in First Falcons Connect will take this course with their FFC cohort, and their professor and student peer leader will both be fellow first-gen students like themselves. In fall 2025, FFC students will take one of two FDS themes: “fast fashion” or “the power of a story.”
Career Design Introduction (CDI 101)
CDI equips first-year students with a comprehensive career toolkit and the ability to understand and “tell their story.” The course is the first step in a four-year program designed to support Bentley’s belief that competence, confidence, and community lead to meaningful careers and lives. CDI 101 teaches students how to identify their personal strengths and talents, how to write a resume, cover letter, and LinkedIn profile, how to develop an elevator pitch and effective interviewing skills, and how to search for and secure internships.
CDI 101 is an optional, non-academic course for all Bentley first-year students, over 95% of whom take the class each year. FFC students will experience an enhanced version of the course that includes financial literacy skill-building. This version of CDI 101 is only available to FFC students in academic year 2025-2026.
FirstGen Defined Community
The Defined Communities at Bentley provides a rich environment of learning within the residence halls. Each community provides dedicated spaces for students with similar interests and passions to live and learn around a central theme or academic focus. The FirstGen Defined Community, located in Miller Hall, is designed for students who are the first of their family to attend college. First-generation students within this community create a social support network, participate in floor programs, visit surrounding areas, and interact with faculty and staff to enhance their sense of belonging at Bentley.
We encourage students to participate in the FirstGen Defined Community if they would like to meet and learn from faculty and staff partners who also identify as firstgen, interested in learning how to self-advocate and effectively use available campus resources and engage as a peer in a community-wider firstgen support system.
First Falcons Connect Student, Faculty, and Staff Support Team
First Falcons Connect students will be supported by a dedicated team of first-gen student peer leaders, faculty and staff who bring years of inclusive teaching practices and experience supporting a diverse range of students throughout their college journey. This team ensures that FFC students receive high-quality guidance and support tailored to their unique needs as first-generation college students. Please note: student peer leaders for the 2025-2026 academic year have not yet been selected, so are not listed here, but will be added soon.
Senior Lecturer in the Marketing Department led a course to first-generation students and she said, “This class wasn’t just about learning; it was about finding our voices, sharing our stories, and recognizing that our perspectives matter in shaping our world. I really enjoyed teaching the First-Gen session and seeing how the students grew and bonded throughout the experience”.
Isa is also the Associate Director for the First-Generation Presidential Fellows (FPF) program at Bentley and has over 15 years of teaching and mentoring firstgen students throughout their college years and into their post graduate years. She is the recipient of the 2023 UNSUNG Hero Award at the ADCOLOR conference and the 2023 recipient of the Dr. Early Avery MLK Leadership Award, Office of Diversity and Inclusion at Bentley University.
Having been a first-generation college student, I understand the unique challenges and triumphs that come with this journey. Working with firstgen students allows me to give back and mentor students who are blazing new trails in their families. It's incredibly rewarding to see them grow, succeed, and build a strong community together at Bentley and beyond”.
Wiley Davi, Professor in English & Media Studies is an experienced faculty member who has led courses at Bentley and mentored many first-gen students . Wiley’s primary research interests include diversity, equity, and inclusion with a defined focus on interpersonal communication. They have published in The Journal of Basic Writing, Radical Teacher, The Michigan Journal of Community Learning and many more. Wiley is also the recipient of the Gregory Adamian Excellence in Teaching Award.
With over 30 years of dedicated service in the field of career development, Kristine Vidic has established herself as a leading expert and advocate for career equity and access. As the Senior Associate Director and Career Equity and Access Specialist at the Pulsifer Career Development Center, Kristine has been instrumental in guiding countless individuals towards achieving their professional goals. Her extensive experience includes teaching career development, creating workshops on various career topics, developing a career colleague peer-to-peer program, and creating a career closet.
Kristine's passion for career development is matched only by her commitment to equity and access. She has been a driving force behind initiatives aimed at breaking down barriers and creating opportunities for underrepresented groups. Her work has not only transformed individual lives but has also had a lasting impact on the broader community. Kristine is particularly passionate about helping first-generation students navigate their career paths, ensuring they have the support and resources needed to succeed.
Edgar Morales (He/Him/His) is an Assistant Director in the Student Financial Services office at Bentley University. He works directly with the First-Gen Presidential Fellows program and the Swipe Out Hunger program. Edgar joined the Student Financial Services team in August 2023 as an administrator and was later promoted to Assistant Director in May 2024. He has prior experience working for a non-profit based in Pittsburgh, where he worked closely with underrepresented populations. He created and implemented programs that focused on college enrollment and retention. He’s passionate about higher education and advocating for educational equity. Edgar is from Princeton, New Jersey and graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a bachelor’s in Economics and Spanish. In his free time, he enjoys playing soccer, running, and attending to sporting events.
As the Director of Undergraduate Academic Advising, I have the privilege of leading our dedicated advising team and shaping the undergraduate advising experience. Collaborating closely with leadership in the Office of Student Success and Academic Affairs, as well as engaging with various campus stakeholders, I focus on academic strategic planning and fostering a vibrant Bentley community. A lifelong resident of the Boston area, I am an avid Boston Bruins fan. In my free time, I love to read, play golf, travel, and spending time with family.
Vanessa Velasquez is a dedicated advocate for first-generation college students, bringing a robust background in nonprofit operations and strategic practices. Currently serving as the First-Generation Experience Specialist at Bentley University, Vanessa designs and implements innovative programs to support the holistic development and success of underrepresented students. Her own journey as a first-generation college student informs her commitment to fostering inclusive campus environments through workshops, mentorship, and strategic partnerships. Vanessa holds a Bachelor's degree in Anthropology and Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, along with certificates in DEI from Bentley University and post grad certificate in Community Leadership and Social Change from Tufts University. She is currently pursuing further professional development in Macro Social Work at Boston University.