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The Future is FirstGen

REAFFIRMED INSTITUTIONS
BENEFITS
REQUIREMENTS
ELIGIBILITY
HOW TO JOIN

Network Member

Serving as the entry point into the FirstGen Forward Network (Network), Network Member institutions commit to building a foundational understanding of first-generation student success through participating in monthly workshops, networking and professional development opportunities, sharing knowledge and resources, and contributing to a peer community.

An institution may advance to the next phase, Network Leader, upon successful completion of the Network Member requirements over the course of a year. By joining the Network, your institution is making a commitment to advancing first-generation outcomes with the goal of becoming a Network Champion. 

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Network Member Reaffirmation Announcement

Congratulations to the following institutions for maintaining their Network Member status and their demonstrated commitment to advancing first-generation student success.

2024-2025 Network Member Reaffirmation

Benefits of Participation

Through Network Membership connections, institutions have:

  • Developed first-gen focused peer and faculty mentoring opportunities, with incorporation into summer bridge and/or seminar opportunities;
  • Provided students access to unique social and cultural experiences - including one institution that developed a new martial arts course for first-year, first-gen students as a freshman seminar;
  • Expanded graduate and professional school support for first-gen students both for those attending their institution and for UG students seeking opportunities;
  • Built cross-campus networks to support first-gen students, particularly in response to mental health needs and the growing cost of higher education;
  • Collaborated across institutions for conference presentations;
  • Centered the first-gen identity through visibility campaigns and toolkits for students, faculty, and staff to know they may be first, but are not alone;
  • Hosted hundreds of first-gen celebration events nationwide, with celebration numbers continuing to grow each year; and
  • Led regional community drive-in events, virtual conferences, and professional development.

Network Members gain exclusive access too:

  • An online community through Basecamp learning hubs to connect with other institutions across the country; and
  • A series of knowledge-building and professional development e-modules will be open to any Network institution for engagement as desired and at no cost.

Required Experiences

The following are the Network Member requirements for institutions in their first year of Network participation. Requirements are adjusted for institutions that remain engaged as a Network Member longer than one year.

Virtual Kick-off

Institution Blog

Institution Goals
(2) Minimum

First-Generation College Celebration

Monthly Meetings
Network Member Bi-Monthly
(2) Regional Meetings

Network Leader Interest Meeting

Learning & Development
(3) Paid Opportunities Per Year

Annual Report

ASSOCIATED COST:
Please note: there is no application cost or annual fee to become a Network Member. The only associated costs with this experience include completing the learning and development requirements.

Learning and Development 2024- 2025 Options

Option 1: Participate in 3

• Center Online Learning (1)

• Complete an e-learning module (1)

• Service to the Field (1)

Option 2: Participate in 1

• Attendance at SSHE

• Attend the NASPA Annual Conference
and participate in a Center Pre-Con

Network Member Eligibility

ELIGIBILITY TO JOIN THE NETWORK AND REMAIN ENGAGED:

  • Be an active, accredited, two-year or four-year institution of higher education located within the United States;

  • Secure cabinet-level leadership support and commitment to participation;

  • Designate a minimum of two currently employed faculty and/or staff, plus at least one senior leader, to serve as the institution leadership team (additional faculty/staff are welcome to participate in programming); and

  • Commit to fulfilling the items outlined in the Required Experiences

Each phase of the Network has unique eligibility and programmatic requirements outlined in the details of each phase.

How to Join

To join the FirstGen Forward Network, you will apply using the

 Readiness and Progress Audit.

The Readiness and Progress Audit is a diagnostic tool that collects data on the ways your institution serves first-generation students and is utilized throughout the FirstGen Forward Network experience to collect longitudinal progress data to better learn how your institution is working to strengthen and scale institutional infrastructure and resources for first-generation students.   

The Readiness and Progress Audit will be utilized at multiple points during the FirstGen Forward Network experience.

Complete the application to the best of your ability, but please understand that it is not a requirement of your institution to be actively pursuing each area to be considered for selection. We look forward to learning more about the great efforts you and your colleagues are leading.

 
We invite you to join the FirstGen Forward Network in 2025!

Institutions who submit the Interest Form below will receive access to our Information Sessions, Readiness and Progress Audit Content Guide, E-Learning Module, and the link to submit the Readiness and Progress Audit when available.

FirstGen Forward Network Interest Form