FirstGen Forward

We're taking time this November to be thankful and recognize the contributions of those who help us move #FirstGenForward. Our #ThankfulThursday post this week focuses on our Regional Community Facilitators. Thanks to these 33 leaders, we were able to hold monthly meetings for each of the Network's ten regions—allowing our Network Members to engage with peer institutions across the country willing to offer support, share resources and evidence-based practices, and celebrate program successes.

On behalf of over 8 million #FirstGen undergraduates, THANK YOU for your efforts to #CelebrateFirstGen, today and every day! With great partners like Council for Opportunity in Education, TIAA, Strada Education Foundation, and all of you, we'll continue driving first-gen student success across education, career, and life.

You gotta check out all the #CelebrateFirstGen pics on #FirstGenForward's new Instagram! Thousands of #highered institutions and organizations are recognizing #FirstGen with events, campaigns, and social posts—and you can see so many of them at @FirstGen.Forward on Instagram. Come check it out, hit that follow button, and be sure to add us as collaborators on YOUR post so we can help you to amplify your great work.

Curious about how college intervention programs impact the academic success of #FirstGen? This #FirstGenScholarship from University of Houston researchers examines the impact of first-year seminars and on-campus student housing. Read more in the new Journal of First-generation Student Success at bit.ly/JFGSS4-3_1.

Kansas City Kansas Community College went "back to the basics" to support their #FirstGen: transforming identification efforts, creating targeted support networks, and enhancing communication. Read more about KCKCC's efforts in the #FirstGenForward Network blog at bit.ly/4em2kue.

Yesterday, CDHE announced the new First Generation-Serving Institution Designation! “Congratulations to our schools that honor and uplift first generation students,” said Dr. Angie Paccione, CDHE executive director. See the full list of designated schools and read the press release at https://ow.ly/cnXg50U38Gn.

Celebrate #firstgen day by helping us understand how you help first-gen students reach their potential. We're partnering with FirstGen Forward on a national landscape scan and invite anyone who works with first-gen students, regardless of your role or title, to participate. https://lnkd.in/g4UeRYhC

Join us today as we celebrate First-Generation College Celebration Day at the U.S. Department of State! As we shape U.S. #diplomacy around the globe, we draw from the diverse talents and experiences of our workforce to execute U.S. foreign policy overseas and at home.    Our first-generation college graduates at the Department have overcome barriers and obstacles that others may not have encountered. They contribute new and different approaches to solving complex problems, bringing their lived experience and diverse backgrounds to the table. Their contributions not only enhance our mission but also strengthen our commitment to a more inclusive and representative diplomacy. All along their journey, they have developed the necessary skills and competencies without the benefit of a generational roadmap to success. These graduates leverage their talents to build social capital and economic stability for themselves and their families. First-generation college graduates serve at all levels of the Department, from some of our newest employees to our most seasoned. Recruiting and retaining first-generation college students in our Foreign and Civil Service is essential to our commitment to building a workforce that reflects the diversity of the United States that we represent to the world. As we celebrate today, we encourage everyone in our community to recognize the unique contributions of first-generation employees and support the pathways to success for future first-gen leaders. #celebratefirstgen FirstGen Forward Council for Opportunity in Education Maria Brewer

Thank you, West Virginia Governor Jim Justice, for recognizing #FirstGen across the state of West Virginia! And thank you to West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission | Community & Technical College System, West Virginia University, and all of our colleagues helping West Virginia #CelebrateFirstGen today!

Happy First-Generation College Celebration! Today, we recognize the #FirstGen family's remarkable contributions to our communities and the nation's workforce. We're proud to #CelebrateFirstGen with you, today and every day! Council for Opportunity in Education TIAA Strada Education Foundation