EKU Celebrates First-gen Students

Eastern Kentucky University’s (EKU’s) recent growth as an institution committed to first-generation student success emerged organically. With an increasing number of first-generation students and a widening service gap, the University’s Division of Student Success took action. In 2017, EKU’s First-Generation Task Force was formed. Initially composed of a handful of Student Success staff, the work group has grown to nearly 30 dedicated faculty and staff members from all areas of the institution.

Inspired by the Center for First-generation Student Success’ and the Council for Opportunity in Education’s inaugural First-Generation Celebration Day in 2017, EKU’s former President, Michael Benson, issued a statement of institutional commitment to first-generation student success. The following year, the University held a campus-wide celebration, which included an open house, a resource fair for students, and a well-attended first-generation panel consisting of first-gen students, faculty, and staff. The 2019 Celebration saw Eastern’s most time and labor-intensive first-generation project yet, when the Task Force organized and hosted Kentucky’s first ever conference focused on first-generation student success: the Gen1 Conference. The event brought together educators and service providers from across the country to share cutting-edge educational initiatives. Part of the conference’s proceeds afforded the university the opportunity to award several first-generation EKU students with scholarships to continue their education.

This year, EKU was honored to receive the distinction of 2021-22 First-Gen Forward institution from the Center for First-generation Student Success. The chance to learn and work alongside fellow institutions with similar goals will ensure that Eastern Kentucky University remains a trailblazing institution for first-generation students. Eastern’s 2020 First-Generation Celebration will consist of a week-long series of video interviews from the University’s first-generation faculty, staff, and students. These videos, including the kick-off message from President David McFaddin, a proud first-generation graduate of the University, will not only highlight multiple first-gen experiences, but will also help meet the Task Force’s evolving goal of creating awareness of the strengths and challenges of our first-generation population. Eastern Kentucky University’s commitment to first-generation student success has been and will remain at the forefront of the University’s agenda. Eastern recognizes the promise and potential of first-generation students, and is committed to designing an experience that meets the needs of every EKU student and is influential to our region and peer institutions.