MBA First Gen Club

Club Overview

Empowering First-Generation MBA Students to Thrive at Mendoza and Beyond

At the University of Notre Dame’s Mendoza College of Business, roughly one in four MBA students is the first in their family to graduate from college. These students are pioneers—navigating top-tier academics, professional norms, and social dynamics without the intergenerational guidance many of their peers can rely on.

The First Generation MBA Club was founded to change that. Our mission is simple: to build community and elevate the success of Notre Dame’s First Generation MBA students—before, during, and after the MBA journey.

Club Activities

The MBA First Gen Club offers:

• Summer mentoring and outreach to first year first gen students

• Fall welcome events and first year support

• Community events and meals out in South Bend

• Topical speaker series and alumni/faculty networking

Club Leadership

• President - Derrick Diedrich

• Chief Communications Officer - Fariha Shaikh

• Chief Financial Officer - Emile Pimentel

• Chief Programming Officer - Burg Salanoa