The First-Generation Graduate Student Coalition (FGSC) is a student organization committed to supporting and empowering first-generation college students who are now pursuing their graduate degrees at UVA through community building, professional development, and institutional visibility.We define “first-generation” as a student who is first in his or her family to obtain a four-year bachelor’s degree. The FGSC is in the process of establishing an initial community, and we are interested in connecting with first-gen graduate students across the university to help us learn more about their experiences and needs. We look forward to working together to serve this community and provide meaningful opportunities for engagement in the future.  To learn more about the FGSC or get involved, please email firstgengradsuva@gmail.com to subscribe to our email list and follow @firstgengradsuva on Instagram to stay up to date on events and programming.

Many students may not meet the technical definition of first-generation, excluding them from formal outreach programs. However, we know firsthand that, whether it is due to immigration, socioeconomic status, or a simple lack of exposure, there are so many “in-betweeners,” and guidance is critical. We aim to holistically support the generation of students that are first in their family to be exposed to the complexities of higher education through maximizing their knowledge and application of skills that are imperative to multi-dimensional career success. Through a bottom-up approach, we will guide students through the ins and outs of finding, earning, and multiplying opportunities geared toward the career path of their choosing as well as encouraging exploration of the disparities within that field, thereby making them eager to suture some gap. Using a vertical mentorship system, each student will have a mentor who will guide them to acquiring and applying skills necessary to excel at a large institution (including but not limited to networking, discovering low-cost resources, improving study methods, and general success strategies). Further, we understand the difficult transition into college, and we hope for all members to find a community of support within us. Through our diverse, open, and positively constructive environment, we aim to push each other in the direction of success.

The French and Francophone Club at UVA (FFC) is a student organization at the University of Virginia that promotes the French and Francophone culture and values to the UVA community. It serves as a focal point for the French and Francophone community at UVA and constitutes the primary gateway between the French world and UVA students and faculty. The FFC acts as a platform that connects people interested in French culture and offers the opportunity to meet, speak French, and exchange ideas. It also strives to expose the UVA community to the French language, literature, cinema, art, gastronomy, politics, and philosophy. It is finally a prime source of information on academic and employment opportunities in France. The FFC regularly organizes events for the UVA community. We (re)discover French culture and mostly have fun!

Friends of Appalachia is an organization that understands how isolating UVA can feel to students coming from a rural, low income background. We want to offer Appalachian students an opportunity to connect with each other and share their experiences, all while building a community. Additionally, we want to provide a space where people can learn about Appalachia, as well as how we as UVA students can help Appalachian communities. 

Fuego Dance Team promotes and exhibits Latinx cultures through the performance art of dance. The dance team choreographs and presents an array of dance forms from Latin American countries, including but not limited to: folkloric dances (festejo, samba, caporales, and tinkus), partner dances (bachata, salsa, and merengue), and reggaeton. The dance group’s presence in the university is essential to cultivating a community aware of and engaged in the diverse and rich dance cultures of Latin America. It furthermore fosters an inclusive space for collective storytelling through dance.

The Fujianese Student Association at UVA is established for the expressed purposes of bringing other Fujianese (FJ) students and those interested together for cultural related activities to provide a sense of community and belonging at UVA. In addition, we will also represent an underrepresented minority group in order to further promote diversity and spread more cultural awareness at UVA.

The purpose of our organization is to promote Italian language and culture at the University of Virginia, as well as the Charlottesville community. We do this through a series of events such caffè italiano, Italian movie night, newsletter, and Italian tutoring.

Ghanaian Students Association (GSA) is a budding association consisting of international graduate and undergraduate student across all disciplines at UVA. Our goal is to foster an inclusive atmosphere where Ghanaian graduate and undergraduate students can come together to honor Ghanaian cultures, heritages, histories, and diverse identities, and delicacies. GSA provides students with opportunities to engage in discussions on important topics and recurring themes related to Ghana and its diaspora through cultural events, general meetings, and group dialogues. In addition, we provide a safe space for newly admitted Ghanaian students to adjust and settle. Our past two events were sponsored by the Honor Committee 

The Global Development Organization exists at UVA to foster a community of students interested in and able to reduce global poverty and inequality and to make globalization work for the poor. How do we do this? Through an event series (of speakers, discussions and debates, career panels, presentations, etc.), research support, the global studies department, and public service events that pertain to global development.

Grad/Professional Queer and Trans Students of Color (QTPOC) an organization dedicated to building community, offering support for QTPOC students, and engaging meaningfully with both UVa and the local community through collaborative events. The purpose of this group is to build community, offer support for students belonging to multiple marginalized identity groups and engage meaningfully with both UVa and the local community through collaborative events. This is also a space for QTPOC graduate students who conduct research related to LGBTQ and BIPOC populations to discuss their work and receive support and feedback.