Center Strategic Priorities

 

The Center has identified four strategic priority themes: Connect & Recognize; Knowledge Creation & Evidence-based Practices; Innovation & Scalable Approaches; and Thought Leadership & Advocacy.  Across each theme are goals and objectives.  The Center Strategic Priorities are critical to driving higher education innovation and advocacy for first-generation student success.

 

Connect & Recognize Goal Build engaged communities across higher education that foster, recognize, and celebrate excellence in serving first-generation student success. Objectives Peer Networks: Create networks that facilitate the sharing of knowledge, strategies, and resources advancing first-generation student initiatives. Recognition: Develop a platform to identify and recognize higher education institutions who demonstrate commitment to improving first-generation outcomes.

Knowledge Creation & Evidence-based Practices Goal Develop and promote scholarly research and data-informed practice as the primary clearinghouse for post-secondary education to advance first-generation student persistence and completion. Objectives Original Research: Create a research agenda that positions the Center as a leading contributor to the scholarly knowledge base and practical understanding of first-generation student success. Advancing the Knowledge Base: Foster peer-reviewed scholarly literature and data-informed reports and provide a centralized repository for those seeking knowledge across post-secondary education.

First Scholars Network Goal Engage the First Scholars Network to create innovative approaches, drive evidence-based solutions, and provide professional development to advance systemic, scalable impact in improving first-generation student success. Objectives Signature Programs: Advance First Scholars Network signature programs and services that provide and scale the support of first-generation student success at IHEs. Innovative support: Develop new programs and services that create and expand the support of first-generation student success at institutions of higher education.

Thought Leadership & Advocacy Goal Be a catalyst and thought leader for advancing critical first-generation student success conversations through national convenings, advocacy, and policy influence. Objectives Thought Leadership: Promote opportunities to convene leaders across the higher education sector with the intent of solving complex issues and advancing systemic change for the first-generation student experience. Awareness: Advance the first-generation student success agenda in public spheres, both mainstream and across higher education. Advocacy: Lead advocacy and public policy efforts to transform the landscape around first-generation student success.