First Saluki Center
Every Gift Matters

The First Saluki Center is a campus-wide collaboration - an initiative developed by the Division of Student Affairs and the Dean of Students, working together with Academic Affairs. We connect SIU’s first-generation students with academic resources, social and emotional support, financial literacy, opportunities to get involved on campus and in the community, and career preparedness assistance.

At SIU Carbondale, 40% of undergraduate students are first generation.

The First Saluki Center offers a variety of resources for first-generation students including:

  • Peer Mentor Program:  SIU student mentors are Saluki upperclassmen and graduate assistants, who assist and connect first-generation students to resources on- and off-campus, assist with students’ academic preparation, and their social and personal transition to SIU Carbondale. A peer mentor serves as a coach, guide, and a positive role model.
  • Living Learning Community: Shared experiences create unique bonds, and first-generation students can enjoy an enhanced experience by becoming part of our first-generation Living Learning Community (LLC). Students build a community with other first-generation students, explore what it means to be a first-generation college student, connect with faculty and staff, and learn about valuable academic and campus resources to help them succeed.
  • Life Skills & Academic Workshops:  We sponsor a variety of informational workshops throughout the fall and spring semesters for the benefit of first-generation students.
  • Textbooks/Need Based Financial Assistance Opportunities: According to the National Center for Education Statistics, 27 percent of first-generation college students come from households with an annual income of $20,000 or less. We realize that finances can interfere with completing educational goals, so first-generation students will have the opportunity to receive need based financial assistance. 
  • First Generation Connection:  It is a campus-wide collaboration that introduces and connects first-generation students with peers, faculty, and staff who are here to help them succeed.
Leaderboard
Groups with the Most Gifts!
Check out which groups have brought in the most gifts for SIU Day!
Rank Department Gifts
1 Balancing Education, Experience, & Reality Schp. 837
2 WSIU Public Broadcasting 765
3 Saluki Athletics 299
4 School of Medicine 260
5 College of Engineering, Computing, Tech, & Math 250
Ended
Leaderboard
Groups by Dollars Raised
Check out which Groups have raised the most throughout SIU Day!
Rank Department Raised
1 College of Business and Analytics $819,120.00
2 School of Medicine $652,035.00
3 College of Liberal Arts $488,031.00
4 College of Engineering, Computing, Tech, & Math $156,525.00
5 Touch of Nature $123,855.50
Ended
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