About the Center for First-generation Students

VISION

Transforming higher education to drive first-generation student success effectively and equitably across education, career, and life.

MISSION

We provide data, training, and expertise for a growing network of colleges and universities around the country to scale and sustain the important work of serving first-generation students.

ABOUT

First-generation college students are critically important and an increasing population at nearly all institutions of higher education. As college and university leaders and practitioners are actively seeking avenues to best meet the specific needs of first-generation students, the Center for First-generation Student Success emerges as a leader for scholarly discussion, information sharing, networking, and program development.

Through provision of services and guidance across institutional types, the Center aims to acknowledge the intersectional experiences of first-generation college students. This website serves as a home for Center updates and announcements, an outlet for sharing cutting edge research and current media conversations, opportunities for engagement through conferences and events, and access to a bevy of programs and services intended to improve first-generation initiatives across higher education.

The Center, based at NASPA in Washington, DC, invites you to join our engaged community of thoughtful practitioners across higher education by becoming a NASPA member. We encourage you to become involved in current and future initiatives and look forward to learning how you are currently serving first-generation students in your community. Thank you for your commitment to first-generation student success!

STRATEGIC PRIORITIES

Connect & Recognize

Knowledge Creation &
Evidence-based Practices

First Scholars
Network

Thought Leadership &
Advocacy

Click here to learn more about the Center Strategic Priorities.

The Suder Foundation

The Suder Foundation was founded from Eric and Deborah Suders’ vision to design an innovative program that would dramatically increase the graduation rates of first-generation college students—those who are first in their family to attend college. For several years prior to starting the foundation, the Suders endowed scholarships at The University of Texas at Austin (UT) and West Virginia University (WVU) in order to help students with middle-range academic credentials and financial need who wanted to go to college but couldn’t afford it. They naïvely thought that financial assistance alone would assure the students’ success. They quickly learned this was not the case and most recently amplified investment in first-generation student success.

Center Leadership

The Center for First-generation Student Success will serve as the primary entity to increase the research, scholarship, and effective practice supporting first-generation student success and to expand the number of institutions with evidence-based programs.

If you are interested in having a first-generation college success speaker for a meeting or event, please contact the Center by email at [email protected].