First Scholars Network:
A National Scaling Model
Powered by the Center for First-generation Student Success, the First Scholars Network offers a national model for scaling holistic first-generation student success by engaging and empowering institutions of higher education to radically transform the first-generation student experience, advance academic and co-curricular outcomes, and build more inclusive institutional structures.
The First Scholars Network is a journey for institutions of higher education who serves as the backbone for this national scaling model, bringing together higher education leaders from around the country to share data, model innovations, and scale impact to first-gen student support.
Today’s higher education landscape seeks intentional change to dismantle systemic barriers limiting students’ ability to succeed and thrive. With over one-third of currently enrolled undergraduate students identifying as first-generation, institution leaders increasingly prioritize first-generation success as imperative to their overall institutional success. Progression through the First Scholars Network positions institutions to navigate the challenge of a shrinking consumer base while supporting the build-out of retention resources to protect return on investment.
The future is first-gen and we have a commitment to growing the First Scholars Network to over 700 institutions in the next five years.
Join us and let’s get started.

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