North Central Cardinal First

We loved meeting some of our new first-gen transfer students at today’s first Transfer Orientation for students starting this August at North Central College!

More than 45% of our incoming transfer students are first-generation college students, and we're excited to welcome them to the Cardinal First community.
NC❤️Transfers

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From the bustling streets of Madrid to the historic beauty of Granada, Seville, and Cordoba, this Cardinal Destination Course Abroad journey through Spain brought learning to life ✨

Across six incredible citities, 2 first-gen students joined their peers and first-gen staff member Keri Iong to explore cathedrals, synagogues, churches, and mosques that tell the story of Spain's rich cultural and religious.

A journey filled with history, sustainability innovation, culture, and unforgettable experiences 🇪🇸🌏

Eight first-gen students joined first-gen Professor Jason Rice and their NC peers for an unforgettable Cardinal Destination Course Abroad experience in Osaka, Japan 🇯🇵 From exploring the historic Osaka Castle to touring Koshien Stadium and its museum, the trip blended culture, history, and baseball tradition in the best way possible ⚾🏯
Grateful for the memories, the learning, and the chance to experience Japan together.

Two first-gen students joined first-gen professor Dr. Yingling Liu and their NC peers to eat their way through four incredible cities in China — Shanghai, Chengdu, Xi’an, and Beijing 🍜🥟🇨🇳 for their Cardinal Destination Course Abroad.
From soup dumplings and hand-pulled noodles to hot pot and Peking duck, every stop brought something unforgettable. They even took a Sichuan cooking class and learned how to make some of their favorite dishes from scratch 🌶️👩‍🍳
Study abroad never tasted so good.

At the Cardinal First Graduation Recognition & Pinning Ceremony, we celebrated the incredible accomplshments of our first-gen graduates 🎓📜

The journey to a college degree is not one traveled alone. Behind every first-generation graduate is a community of family, friends, mentors, and peers who encourged, supported, and believed in them every step of the way 👏

To our first-gen graduates: your hard work, courage, and perseverance have creaed a legacy that will inspire others for years to come. We are beyond proud of all you have achived and excited all that lies ahead ❤️🤍

4 weeks ago we celebrated the incredible achievements of our first-gen graduates at the Cardinal First Graduation Recognition & Pinning Ceremony 🎓

Your resilience, leadership, and determination have paved the way not only for your own future, but for the generations that follow. From your first day on campus to this unforgettable milestone, you have shown what it means to persevere and succeed.

Congratulations first-gen Class of 2026 - this is only the beginning! ✨

A key component in the mission of Cardinal First is to provide first-gen students with community and connection to first-gen faculty and staff. At the Cardinal First Graduation Recognition & Pinning Ceremony, first-gen graduates selected a faculty or staff member who has been instrumental to their NC experience to present their pin. 🤝

A very special thank you to all the NC faculty and staff members who were pinners and supporters at the event to . We greatly appreciate your support to move 🔴⚪️



Stay tuned for 2 more days of photos highlighting the Cardinal First Graduation Recognition & Pinning Ceremony 🎓

Congratulations to our 2026 first-gen graduates 🎓 You did it! 🎉

From walking the streets of Athens to exploring the ruins of Mycenae and Corinth, our first-gen students, who are attending the Cardinal Destination Course Abroad to Greece and Italy with first-gen professor Dr. Robert Moussetis, are turning their study abroad experience into the adventure of a lifetime ✨

Ancient cities, unforgettable memories, and endless discovery around every corner 🌏