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The Future is FirstGen

News & Blogs

Find the latest from the Center, learn new and innovative approaches from colleagues, and engage with current mainstream media conversations on first-generation student success. In addition to the filters below, please utilize the “search” bar in the top, right corner to search by keyword, author name, or publication title.

FirstGen Forward announces new class of Network Members
FEATURE | August 01, 2024

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FirstGen Forward announces inaugural class of Network Champion Institutions
FEATURE |

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EOP Graduates
How Educational Opportunity Programs graduate first-generation college students

The EOP program is designed to prepare students for their first year in college, subjects them to 15-hour days full of classes and study sessions.

The Hechinger Report / January 07, 2019
Student by vending machine
Far From Home: Different Stories, With Common Threads

Through storytelling, first-generation college students not only identify with the struggle, but also with the victories.

Texas Public Radio / January 05, 2019
Students around table
Colorado sees major increase in college applications following Colorado Free Application Day

Colorado colleges waived application fees and a third of the applications submitted came from first-generation students.

The Denver Channel / January 04, 2019
Texas_Alcalde
Celebrating UT’s First-Generation Students on Campus

As of fall 2018, UT Austin has been working to ramp up its initiatives for first-generation college students.

Texas Exes Alcalde / January 03, 2019
UTSA_Registrar
UTSA Part of New National Effort to Increase College Access, Boost Student Success

UTSA has joined 129 other public universities in a new five-year effort to improve college access for low-income, first generation, and minority students.

The Rivard Report / January 03, 2019
Fiesta Bowl
We're proud to be in the Fiesta Bowl, but fostering social mobility matters more

The power of education isn’t about picking the student who’s already most likely to succeed. It’s about identifying talent with grit and spirit.

USA Today / December 31, 2018
How Four-Year Colleges Impact First-Generation Student Success

New analysis highlights key findings and best practices for how four-year colleges can support students who are the first in their family to attend college.

USA Today / December 27, 2018
Student Silhouette
Tackling low college graduation rates for black and Latino students

Using 2017 data from NCES, LA-area charter high schools trains college counselors to guide future first-generation students.

LA Times / December 26, 2018
Elevating First-Gen Student Success

An Insights & Outlooks interview with Senior Director, Dr. Sarah E. Whitley, Center for First-generation Student Success.

Higher Learning Advocates / December 20, 2018
Celebrating Students
Elevating First-Gen Student Success

An Insights & Outlooks interview with Senior Director, Dr. Sarah Whitley, Center for First-generation Student Success.

Higher Learning Advocates / December 20, 2018
Unlikely movie
Unlikely

The directors from First Generation follow more first-generation students and feature their stories and the current state of higher education completion rates.

Unlikely Film / December 20, 2018
latino college student happy on laptop
Historic Latino student wave reshapes many colleges. But access is uneven.

More Latino students than ever are moving through high school to college, challenging higher education to adapt to a new demographic reality.

The Washington Post / December 18, 2018
OPINION: Are colleges failing first-generation students?

First-generation college students are less likely than their peers whose parents graduated from college to have a mentor who is a college professor.

The Hechinger Report / December 18, 2018
mentor helping female student
California students, first in their families to attend college, mentor each other to succeed

Level-Up is a growing mentorship program for low-income, first-generation students at 29 college campuses mainly in California.

EdSource / December 16, 2018
Life as a First-Generation U.C. Irvine Student
California Today: Life as a First-Generation U.C. Irvine Student

At UC Irvine, nearly 100 first-generation students were welcomed into dorms this summer, months before the fall quarter began.

The New York Times / December 13, 2018
Going To Office Hours Is Terrifying' And Other Tales Of Rural Students In College

The college going demographic is changing and institutions are navigating support offerings to meet those needs.

NPR / December 12, 2018
Jeffrey Morin
MIAD President Jeffrey Morin Wants To Make Art School More Accessible For Future Generations

Q&A with MIAD President Jeffrey Morin, who knows firsthand how hard it can be for first-generation college students to succeed.

Milwaukee Mag / December 11, 2018
James_Manning_FSA2018
FSA: More Verification Fixes on the Horizon

FSA announced two changes aimed at reducing the burden that FAFSA verification places on students applying for financial aid.

National College Access Network / December 06, 2018