The Gen-1 program, which was established in 2008, is the nation’s first living-learning community specifically for first-generation students. The program provides a wide array of academic, personal, and social support services, helping students navigate the unique challenges they face in college. With a retention rate of 98% from the first to second year, Gen-1 students are significantly more likely to graduate than the national average of 68% for first-generation students.Suzette Combs, director of the Gen-1 Program, stressed that the gift will alleviate financial stress for students, allowing them to focus on their studies and extracurricular activities. “This gift lets them know that there are people out there who believe in them and think they belong here,” Combs said.
In addition to his work at Zscaler, a cloud security company he founded with his wife in 2007, Jay Chaudhry’s roots in education and philanthropy run deep. He grew up in a small village in India, where his parents instilled a strong value for education. His personal journey from a small village in Himachal Pradesh to becoming the CEO of a successful tech company exemplifies the power of education in transforming lives.The Chaudhry Family Scholarship Fund will make it possible for many students, who otherwise may not have had the opportunity, to pursue their dreams and reach their full potential at UC.
