Special Populations

First-Generation Students

Gemstone recognizes that first-generation (first-gen) students make up a unique population within our program, the Honors College, and UMD broadly. We are striving to identify ways we can best support and connect with first-gen Terps to promote their overall engagement, development, and success. Read about some initiatives below, which are continuously works-in-progress!

1. Alumni Mentor & Partner Program 

   AMPP pairs Gemstone alumni with current students to provide mentorship and networking opportunities that align with students' personal, academic, and professional interests. Student leaders who direct this program recruit and match mentors and mentees through an intentional process that invites participants to share their backgrounds, interests, and career paths. As of Fall 2025, we have included questions regarding first-gen status on the mentor-mentee matching form for the first time! Participants can now self-identify as first-gen students/alumni and elect to be paired with someone who shares that identity. Through this initiative, we hope to strengthen the first-gen community within Gemstone. 

2. CONNECT 

   CONNECT is a peer-to-peer mentorship program that connects first-year and current Gemstone students. These connections are meant to help facilitate first-year students' transition to UMD and introduce them to a friendly face in Gemstone! Throughout the year, CONNECT mentors regularly check in with their mentees and are encouraged to attend various Gemstone events together (e.g. D.C. day trips, scavenger hunts, game nights, etc.). 

3. First-Generation Student Association (Honors College-wide)

   The FGSA, coordinated by the central Honors College unit, is a student leadership organization dedicated to aiding the transition of first-generation students into the Honors College and UMD. Read more about this organization and student involvement on the Honors College website.

4. National First-Generation College Student Week (UMD-wide)

   Coordinated by the FGSA, National First-Generation College Student Week occurs in the first week of November leading up to National First-Gen Celebration Day on November 8th. Students across campus are invited to join the planning committee to brainstorm events, programming, and resources that uplift and empower first-gen students. 

Commuter Students

In 2024, we created a Commuter Lounge in the Gemstone office space in Ellicott Hall. This lounge is a space for commuter students to study, rest, and hang out! Some features include monitors and keyboards to connect to laptops, charging stations, study supplies, food utensils, and general storage space. We welcome all commuter students in Gemstone to drop by, whether they need to re-charge during a long day on campus or just want to say hello! We also invite commuter students to an annual welcome lunch to encourage connections within this group and gather valuable feedback on how we can make Gemstone as engaging and accessible as possible.