Madison College Advances First-generation Student Success

The Madison College First-Generation Student Success initiative was developed by Retention Initiatives and Student Engagement (RISE) leadership three years ago, in support of the First-Generation College Celebration that occurred across colleges nationwide. Since that time, we have grown programming and opportunities for Madison College’s first-generation student population–50% of which identifies as “first-generation”.

In 2020, Madison College gained national recognition as a First-gen Forward Institution. This is a result of our commitment to first-generation student success. Madison College is now a part of the 2020-21 First-gen Forward cohort, which represents a 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 United States.

Participation in this cohort required analysis of our first-generation service structure at Madison College and the model we are using to advance first-generation student success. The RISE leadership team has worked to build a strong foundation of first-generation support because we are passionate about advocating on behalf of first-generation students.

Our goal is to capitalize on this opportunity and leverage our national recognition, fully participating in the First-gen Forward cohort to advance the first-generation student success initiative at Madison College. What we have accomplished in the past three years we have done without any designated resource allocation or personnel assigned, and we are currently creating a strategic plan to enhance service to all first-generation students at Madison College, and building this requires a designated position and program within RISE.

Highlights of our work to date include:

• Our inaugural First-Generation Student Celebration in 2017, which is now an annual event on campus.

• Creation of the “I’m First” Student Club (a community of first-generation students supporting and motivating one another. 

• Creation of resources for first-gen (FG) students:

• Madison College FG webpage

• FG alumni video

• FG staff/faculty video

• FG Madison College Minute

• FG library guide 

• Creation of “I’m First” Scholarship (first award will be bestowed in April 2021)

In November 2020, Madison College announced the formation of a new national honor society, Alpha Alpha Alpha (or Tri-Alpha), which recognizes the academic achievements of first-generation college students. We are the first college in Wisconsin and the second community college in the country to establish a chapter. President Daniels accepted our charter, and Provost Bakken was inducted as an Honorary Member; employees, students and alumni were inducted in the inaugural virtual ceremony.

We also held a First-generation “Grow Together” Gallery Show at Madison College. This was a fantastic First-gen alumni showcase during which we celebrated their journey. All first-generation students, staff, and faculty also joined and placed their leaves on our First-generation tree. RISE collaborated with a graphic design class that took on our project to create the imagery and design of the event; this served as professional project experience for the students, and the results were impressive! This event was even highlighted in the President’s Annual Report

Madison College continues to advance the First-Generation Student Success initiative through our RISE Student Advisory Board and our efforts to secure dedicated First-Generation Student space on campus to celebrate and raise awareness of the first-generation student experience each and every day!