Eighty new institutions selected
to FirstGen Forward Network based on demonstrated commitment
to improving experiences and advancing success for first-generation
students
WASHINGTON, Aug. 1, 2024
/PRNewswire/ -- FirstGen Forward, formerly the Center for
First-generation Student Success, today announced the selection of
eighty (80) institutions of higher education to the new class of
the FirstGen Forward Network. These colleges and universities were
chosen based upon their demonstrated commitment to improving
experiences and advancing success for first-generation college
students.
"We are pleased to welcome our newest class into the FirstGen
Forward Network," said Dr. Sarah E.
Whitley, executive vice president with FirstGen Forward.
"Through the application process, it was evident that these higher
education institutions are not only taking steps to serve
first-generation students, but are prepared to make a long-term
commitment and employ strategies that foster an environment of
success for this important population."
The FirstGen Forward Network provides a three-phase approach to
scaling holistic first-generation student success by engaging and
empowering higher education institutions to transform the
first-generation student experience, advance academic and
co-curricular outcomes, and build more inclusive institutional
structures. To date, 429 institutions of higher education,
including two statewide systems, have entered the Network,
representing 49 states and the District
of Columbia.
Institutions must apply to join the FirstGen Forward Network.
During the first year of active engagement, Network Member
institutions commit to building a foundational understanding of
first-generation student success through participating in monthly
workshops, networking, and professional development opportunities,
sharing knowledge and resources, and contributing to a peer
community.
An institution may advance to the Network Leader phase upon
successfully completing the Network Member requirements. The
ultimate goal for Network Member institutions is to progress
through the phases and achieve Network Champion status.
All new Network Members participated in the FirstGen Forward
Network Virtual Kickoff on June 6,
2024. Below is a full listing of the new 2024-25 FirstGen
Forward Network Members.
"Being named as a FirstGen Forward Network Member is an exciting
opportunity for these institutions to join a dedicated community of
professionals prepared to share evidence-based practices and
resources, troubleshoot challenges, generate knowledge, and
continue to advance the success of first-generation students across
the country," said Maurice Jones,
CEO of FirstGen Forward. "We are excited to see a groundswell of
activity from the Class of 2024 Network Members, and, together, we
will challenge the nation to ensure first-generation students
thrive."
FirstGen Forward recognized the following institutions in the
2024-25 class (institutions listed alphabetically):
- Aims Community College
- Augusta University
- Babson College
- Bowdoin College
- Bucknell University
- Butler University
- California State University, Dominguez Hills
- Centenary University
- Clark University
- Coastal Bend College
- Coastal Carolina University
- Colgate University
- College of William & Mary
- Delaware County Community
College
- Duquesne University
- Eastern Mennonite University
- Eureka College
- Fayetteville State University
- Fort Lewis College
- Gardner-Webb University
- Geisinger College of Health Sciences
- Georgia Northwestern Technical
College
- Georgian Court University
- Greenfield Community College
- Hamline University
- Indiana University Bloomington
- Indiana University Columbus
- Indiana University East
- Indiana University Fort Wayne
- Indiana University Northwest
- Indiana University Online
- Indiana University South Bend
- Indiana University Southeast
- Kalamazoo College
- Kansas City Kansas Community
College
- Louisiana State University
- Louisiana State University
Shreveport
- Luther College
- Marymount University
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Mercer County Community
College
- Middlesex College
- Midland College
- Midland University
- Mississippi University for
Women
- Murray State University
- New Mexico Highlands
University
- Northern Illinois University
- Pasco-Hernando State
College
- Pima Community College
- Providence College
- Southern Methodist University
- Stephen F. Austin State
University
- Stevens Institute of
Technology
- Stony Brook University
- Tennessee State University
- Tennessee Technological
University
- Texas Woman's University
- The Chicago School of Professional
Psychology
- The University of Akron
- Tulane University
- University of Alabama in
Huntsville
- University of California,
Berkeley
- University of Colorado Boulder
- University of Denver
- University of Houston
- University of Idaho
- University of Missouri
- University of New Hampshire
- University of North Carolina,
Wilmington
- University of Northern
Colorado
- University of South Florida
- University of Tennessee at
Martin
- University of Toledo
- University of Wisconsin -
Madison
- Utah State University
- Western Colorado University
- William Paterson University
- Wittenberg University
- Xavier University
To learn more about FirstGen Forward and the Network, visit
firstgenforward.org.
About FirstGen Forward
FirstGen Forwardâ„¢, formerly the
Center for First-generation Student Success, partners with higher
education, philanthropy, business, the public sector and others to
catalyze first-generation student success in education, career and
life.
CONTACT:
Bill Barker
Senior Director of External Relations & Policy
media@firstgenforward.org
(202) 719-1188
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SOURCE FirstGen Forward