Susan Gershenfeld, PhD, MBA, MSW, has dedicated her career to creating opportunities for others, serving in leadership roles across state government, universities, and professional associations. For over 15 years, she has championed the success of low-income, first-generation college students-most recently as Founder & CEO of FirstGen Ahead. Her vision for this guidebook is shaped by her own journey as a first-generation college graduate, extensive research, and hands-on work. She is driven by a steadfast belief that talented, hardworking students deserve the chance to thrive and reach their full potential.