USU Recognized for Commitment to 1st-Gen College Students by FirstGen Forward

FirstGen Forward, formerly the Center for First-generation Student Success, recently announced Utah State University as one of 80 new members of the FirstGen Forward Network for 2024-25. To be selected as a FirstGen Forward Network member, Utah State University displayed a demonstrated commitment to improving experiences and advancing success for first-generation college students.

“Utah State is committed to supporting all our students, including our first-generation college students. We are honored to be selected by FirstGen Forward as one of its new member schools. Our program coordinator, Chloé Lopez Ridenour, and our amazing faculty, staff, and students will continue to make Aggie First Scholars the noteworthy program that it is,” said Heidi Beck Kesler, executive director for academic belonging & learning excellence.

Powered by FirstGen Forward, formerly the Center for First-generation Student Success, the FirstGen Forward Network provides a three-phase approach to scaling holistic first-generation student success by engaging and empowering higher education institutions to transform the first-generation student experience, advance academic and co-curricular outcomes, and build more inclusive institutional structures. To date, 429 institutions of higher education, including two statewide systems, have entered the Network, representing 49 states and the District of Columbia.

“We are pleased to welcome Utah State University into the FirstGen Forward Network,” said Sarah E. Whitley, executive vice president with FirstGen Forward. “Through the application process, it was evident that Utah State University is not only taking steps to serve first-generation students but is prepared to make a long-term commitment and employ strategies that foster an environment of success for this important population.”

In this first phase of the network, selected institutions participated in the FirstGen Forward Network Virtual Kick-off on June 6. As a network member, USU’s interested faculty and staff are afforded opportunities to engage with peer institutions also working to create environments that improve the experiences and success of first-generation students, and will participate in monthly calls, professional development, goal setting, blog development, annual reporting and more.

After successful completion of the network member phase, institutions may progress to the second phase, first-gen forward network leader, in which institutions receive an evidence-based and research-supported framework of actionable priorities supported through monthly workshops; diagnostic tools providing critical institutional insight; robust data sharing as part of the national Postsecondary Data Partnership; guidance of expert coaches along each step of the experience; and more.

“Being named as a network member in the FirstGen Forward Network is an exciting opportunity for Utah State Universityto join a dedicated 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 country,” said Maurice Jones, CEO of FirstGen Forward. “We are excited to see a groundswell of activity from the Class of 2024 Network Members and know Utah State Universitywill be a significant contributor.”

To learn more about first-generation efforts at Utah State Universityvisit usu.edu/first-scholars.To learn more about FirstGen Forward and the Network, visit firstgenforward.org.