FirstGen Forward

When Saddleback College started intentionally focusing on first-generation student success, they began to see how siloed their campus was. Instead of being dismayed, they were motivated. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eEb77MaV

When Southwest Mississippi Community College staff realized their percentage of first-gen students was higher than other schools, they got curious. They started asking what was more important for first-gen student success, support or belonging? (Their answer? Both.) Learn more: https://lnkd.in/edBSUwTA

A sense of belonging can affect graduation rates, alumni giving, and more. But what leads to a sense of belonging? Including interviews, analysis, and observation, researchers took a qualitative approach to studying first-gen doctoral students' sense of belonging. The article, "A Case Study of First-Generation Graduate Students’ Sense of Belonging" is available in the latest issue of the Journal of First‑Generation Student Success. Read now: https://lnkd.in/ekmDfucJ

Thanks to its 2025 Network Champion Transformation grant from FirstGen Forward, the University of Washington Tacoma is deepening its use of student success data. "This project creates a meaningful opportunity for a student employee to contribute to real institutional insights, building their own analytic skills while helping us make data-driven decisions that strengthen impact." - Sheila Edwards Lange, Chancellor.

We want to hear from you! 👇 Is your institution part of the FirstGen Forward Network? Take a moment to vote in our poll—we invite you to verify your status by exploring our directory. 🔎 View the FirstGen Forward Network Directory: https://lnkd.in/gUtHB6xX Our network continues to grow with institutions committed to advancing first-generation student success at scale. Whether you’re a current partner or just getting started, we’re proud to be in community with leaders driving meaningful change. Curious about where your institution fits—or ready to take the next step? Applications open until the end of June!

"It's very important to me to make sure that we have the data to be able to support the fact that the work that we're doing is effective and valuable." -Megan Scherzberg, Interim Associate Vice President of Enrollment Management, MSU Denver. The Postsecondary Data Partnership (PDP) gives colleges and universities access to comprehensive, longitudinal data that helps illuminate the full student experience. With these insights, institutions can identify trends, close equity gaps, and strengthen strategies that support student success. Watch as institutional partners share how PDP is transforming the way they use data. Wondering how universities use PDP data? Why they rely on it? Watch this quick video, featuring Tusculum University and Metropolitan State University of Denver: https://ow.ly/oTSX50Z4UNb

Are you attending the AIR Forum? FirstGen Forward is hosting a session TODAY, May 27, "Benchmarking for Impact: Using PDP Data to Drive Continuous Improvement." If you've ever wondered about the benchmarking process (how your institution's data compares with that of similar institutions), join us for a practical walkthrough! 10:15 - 11:30 AM, Marquis Salon 1.

We can’t wait to see you in Austin. To help you make the most of your experience at the NASPA Conferences on Student Success in Higher Education and the First‑Generation Student Success Conference, we’ve created a FirstGen Forward session guide. Use this guide to explore where you can connect with our team, attend sessions focused on first‑generation student success, and engage with the broader FirstGen Forward community throughout the conference. Find the guide on our website: https://bit.ly/fgss2026