First-gen Forward...what does this mean?

As a First-gen Forward Institution, the University of Bridgeport joins an elite 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. As part of this approach, the First Generation Committee established a set of goals. We want to ensure that our first-generation students feel welcomed to the University and understand what it means to be first-generation. Therefore, the goals we established are meant to reach the students from the moment they come into the University to the moment they graduate. Our programming also involves having conversations around what it means to be first-generation and how to be successful. 

Our programming is as follows:

• First-year students are sent a first-generation sticker and welcome letter

• First-gen faculty, staff, and alumni via First Gen Highlights

• We host a dialogue Zoom session and a panel around first-generations success

• Graduates are sent a congratulations letter with their graduation pin