UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State has been named a “First-gen Forward” institution by the Center for First-generation Student Success, in recognition of the University’s commitment to advancing the academic success of first-generation college students.
The center extends this designation to institutions of higher education who have demonstrated a commitment to improving experiences and advancing outcomes of first-generation college students. Selected institutions receive professional development, community-building experiences and a first look at the center’s research and resources.
“We are thrilled to receive this national recognition of the University’s collective efforts to advance first-generation student success,” said Denise Poole, director of the Student Success Center within Undergraduate Education. “This recognition will propel the growth of the Student Success Center and strengthen the connection and community among partners across the entire University. Penn State’s designation as a ‘First-gen Forward’ institution will also energize our work by enabling us to collaborate with and learn from peer institutions across the nation.”
While institutions use various definitions of “first-generation,” Penn State uses this term to refer to any undergraduate student whose parents or legal guardians have not completed a baccalaureate degree. Through information collected through the Common Application during the admissions process, the University can track the success of this group of students. As of fall 2021, there were more than 16,000 full-time first-generation undergraduate students enrolled across the University.
Penn State has numerous offices that possess a long-standing history of serving first-generation students. However, this support has often been extended as a result of the student seeking support from University resources that serve students with other salient, yet intersecting, identities: students who identify as part of a minoritized group in terms of race, gender, sexual orientation or ability, or individuals who are adult learners, veterans or international students.
Launched in fall 2019, the Student Success Center is leading Penn State’s efforts to build a University-wide constellation of care tailored specifically to first-generation students. The center is working to build a first-generation community at Penn State that includes first-generation students as well as faculty, administrators and staff who regularly support and champion these students — and who often identify as first-generation themselves.
The Student Success Center provides a range of programming, resources and support services for first-generation students and their allies. Each November, the center recognizes National First-Generation College Celebration to celebrate the achievements of Penn State’s first-generation students and to build community among this population. Beginning this spring, the center will also convene the first annual First-Generation Student Support Summit. More details about the summit will be forthcoming soon on Penn State News.
“The center is pleased to welcome Penn State into the 2022-23 First-gen Forward cohort,” said Sarah E. Whitley, assistant vice president of the Center for First-generation Student Success. “Through the application process, it was evident that Penn State 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.”
Now that Penn State is a First-gen Forward institution, Penn State faculty, staff and administrators will have opportunities to engage with peer institutions who are also creating environments that improve the experiences and outcomes of first-generation students. The Student Success Center will have the opportunity to send representatives to the First-gen Forward Workshop slated for early June and participate in monthly calls, virtual professional development, goal setting, blog development, annual reporting and more. After two successful years in the program, Penn State will be eligible to apply for the Advisory leadership designation.
Further information about the Student Success Center’s offerings for first-generation students can be found at success.psu.edu/first-generation-psu.
The Student Success Center is part of Penn State Undergraduate Education.