First Generation Initiative
Contact
Christine de Denus P'22
Associate Professor of Chemistry and FGI Director
deDenus@hws.edu
ABOUT FGI
The First Generation Initiative (FGI) is an institutional initiative that strives to build a connected and supportive community of first generation students, faculty, staff and alumni. The program was started in 2006 and is currently directed by Christine de Denus, an Associate Professor of Chemistry who is first generation herself. At HWS, we define first generation students as students who are the first in their immediate families (not including siblings) to attend a four-year college or university in the United States. It is important to us that all HWS students (~20% are first generation) are welcomed, supported and encouraged to succeed to their full academic potential.
Our Team
The FGI Team is composed of dedicated faculty, staff, and students who work directly with the Initiative to provide resources, plan events, and offer support to the community of first generation students and their families as well as first generation faculty, staff and alumni at HWS.
Christine de Denus P'22 (She/her/hers)
Director
Christine de Denus is the Director of the First Generation Initiative (FGI) and an Associate Professor and Chair of the Chemistry Department at Hobart and William Smith. She has been at HWS since 1999 and has immersed herself in the community. She is an organometallic chemist who finds herself teaching introductory, organic, inorganic, structural analysis, and forensic chemistry as well as first-year seminar courses on a regular basis. In addition to her teaching duties she has spent time as the Associate Dean of Faculty and Associate Provost where her primary duties included curriculum design, development, and review; academic facilities and equipment planning; faculty hiring and development; development and review of academic programs; implementation of new digital pedagogies and initiatives across the curriculum; course scheduling, enrollment, and classroom management/design; oversight and fiscal management of various grants, endowments, and budgets; and directing a vibrant undergraduate summer research program. She is also involved in efforts surrounding Title IX and Bystander trainings, Division III athletics, and LGBTQ education and policy changes. Her personal interests include cooking, reading, biking, home repair, and supporting the musical and athletic pursuits of her two daughters.