Welcome to

Georgia FirstGen

The Georgia First Generation Foundation is a non-profit organization devoted to providing resources for high school students who cannot obtain a college education without these resources. These students must be first-generation students who are passionate about achieving academic success after high school. Unlike other leadership programs, the Georgia First Generation Foundation provides specific strategic plans for any college degree.

Our founders, Charbel and Francisco, initially started Georgia FirstGen as a student organization. They wanted to build a club where they could bring together students just like them. Being the first in their family to graduate high school and attend college, Charbel and Francisco understood the real, yet not impossible, barriers students faced to achieve a college education. That spark of motivation and lack of resources to overcome these barriers made these curious students form a nonprofit pitch centered around their identities - a nonprofit supporting the growth and success of first-generation students. This business pitch became the birthplace of Georgia FirstGen. Since 2016, growing from a student club to a nonprofit organization, Georgia FirstGen has built trailblazers ready to inspire those to be a part of the movement and create a sense of community for students to feel that they belong.

From Student Organization to Student-run Non-profit

Our Milestones

825
Students who attended 35+ events since inception

310K
Volunteer hours completed by students and member

$465K
Scholarship dollars earned by our students

7
High schools impacted by FirstGen event

10
FirstGen professionals named Under 40 Honorees

19

Georgia FirstGen team members

FirstGen's Four Pillars

SCHOLARSHIP

Every student dreams of achieving academic, social, and financial success after graduation. As mentors and educators, we see the FirstGen movement from a broader perspective and strive to enhance the NextGen experience, as well as propel the caliber of FirstGen pioneers in the community.

SUCCESS

Our events are not just about the present, but about the long-lasting impact they will have on the attendees. We take pride in our ability to create meaningful and memorable experiences that will stay with our guests for years to come.

SERVICE

Community members engaged with our program leverage the power of NextGen, and use it to foster new partnerships and build relationships between leaders and students. Promoting inclusivity by enhancing the quality of FirstGen experiences, we are determined to make the NextGen movement accessible to all individuals. By training our community, we're laying the foundation for a bright future.

SUPPORT

The goal of educators and mentors is to uplift the FirstGen movement and enrich the NextGen experience. Training programs are community-focused and provide the skills necessary to form partnerships and build bridges between leaders and students. The aim is to foster inclusivity and create a better tomorrow.

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Newsroom

Leaders must be close enough to relate to others but far enough to motivate them. Our seven Board of Advisors are passionate about supporting the next generation of student leaders

Board of Directors

Founder & Executive Director

Georgia First Generation Foundation

Charbel Aoun, MS
Founder & Executive Director

Senior DEI Analyst

Deloitte

Ana Maria Villegas
Vice Chair

Managing Director
America's Benefits Center

Oscar Lievano
Marketing & Development Committee Chair

Founder & Principal Consultant

Khamai Strategies

Candy Isabel
Programs & Engagement Committee Chair

Strategic Programs & Operations Associate

The New York Times

Daniel Varitek
Board Member

Founder & Managing Attorney

Tabbaa Law

Sami Tabbaa
Board Member

Director of Academic & Community Engagement

University of North Georgia

Christian Bello Escobar
Board Member

Asst. Director of Diversity & Community Partnerships

PCOM Georgia

Christy Finley
Board Member

FirstGen Volunteers are more than just members of the FirstGenFam; they are leaders wanting to change how students see life beyond high school.

Leadership Team

Director of Development

Bryan Rivas

Director of Engagement

Mierra Robinson

Director of Advocacy

Erick Solorzano

Director of Programs

Liana Shahapy

Director of Marketing

Nick Fernandez