Cardinal First

Cardinal First is North Central’s program for first-generation college students from their first day on campus through graduation.  At NC, 900+ of our students and 140+ faculty and staff are first-gen - and we celebrate that identity as an asset!

All first-gen students are encouraged to participate in Cardinal First which provides community and connection through monthly, one-hour cohort workshops.  More info available at www.noctrl.edu/cardinal-first and on our social media Instagram @firstgencardinals or Facebook @NorthCentralCollege.Cardinal First.

If your student is a first-gen college student, defined as neither parent having completed a Bachelor’s degree, please encourage them to join Cardinal First – for the community and the connection to info, resources and opportunities!  All first-gen students should be receiving emails from Cardinal First about upcoming workshops and events.  If not, please have your student contact us at cardinalfirst@noctrl.edu. 

2024 marks 10 years of Cardinal First and we’ll be celebrating Cardinal First Decade Fest over Homecoming Weekend!

Questions?  Please contact Julie Carballo, Assistant Dean for First-generation and Military-Affiliated Initiatives at jmcarballo@noctrl.edu or 630-637-5155.