FirstGen Forward, a nonprofit organization formerly known as the Center for First-generation Student Success that works directly with institutions to serve first-generation college students, named Indiana University Bloomington as a member of their national network on August 1.
IU Bloomington was selected as one of eighty new member institutions due to the university’s demonstrated commitment to “improving experiences and advancing success for first-generation college students.”
Bloomington’s campus joins all other IU campuses in being selected for the cohort, which means the university now has the most campus locations in the FirstGen Forward Network.
“Being named to this cohort of FirstGen Forward signals our commitment to making positive contributions to the success of students who are first in their family to attend college,” said Lamar Hylton, the Vice Provost for Student Life at IU Bloomington. “The Office of Student Life is uniquely positioned to coordinate resources and support for first-gen students, and being part of FirstGen Forward allows us access to a network of best and promising practices in elevating the student experience.”
According to fall 2023 data from the Office of Institutional Analytics, 12% (5,733) of IU Bloomington students identify as first-generation.
“For the last several years, various offices across the IUB community have created and implemented initiatives designed to highlight and elevate the first-generation student experience,” said Vicka Bell-Robinson, Associate Vice Provost for Involvement and Belonging at IU Bloomington. “The 2030 strategic plan has a focus on student success and a significant part of that focus is making sure that all students are well-served by campus resources.”
In an attempt to develop new initiatives, streamline support services, and supplement the work that is already being done, the Office of Student Life is creating a new office of First-Generation and Limited-Low Income Programs.
“This new area in the Office of Student Life is a connection and coordinating resource for the first-generation work happening around the campus,” said Hylton. “It is not meant to usurp or diminish the fantastic ways we already serve first-gen students at IU Bloomington, rather, it is designed to enhance the work by giving students a central place to learn more about how to navigate their experience and to contribute to their development and overall success.”
The program will exist to provide support, community, and connection for students who are the first to attend college in their family. It also supports students who display an exceptional financial need.
A nationwide search is currently underway for the new Director of First-Generation and Limited and Low-Income Students Program.
In addition to naming a director, an advisory group and coalition have also been created.
The advisory group is designed to advise the director about how the office can best serve first-generation and limited-low income students at IU Bloomington.
“The director will use this group to take a broad and strategic look at how students who identify as first-generation and limited-low income experience the university,” said Bell-Robinson. “The group will discuss potential changes that can be enacted to foster better belonging, engagement, retention, and persistence for our first-generation and limited-low income students.”
Additionally, the coalition group will bring together various offices who are already working with first-generation and limited-low income initiatives.
“I consider this group to be on the frontline of our efforts,” said Bell-Robinson. “The new First-Generation and Limited-Low Income office will design, coordinate, and implement new initiatives, but will also work to support and amplify the initiatives that are currently being enacted across campus.”
As the creation of the program continues, the Office of Student Life is ready to proceed with amplifying and adding resources for first-generation and low-limited income students. Student Life looks forward to celebrating First-Generation Day on November 8.
It will be great to have resources faculty can direct students to. It would be nice to have a sticker/magnet/pin for faculty – something that identifies faculty as first gen as well. It is a way of letting our first gen students know they aren’t alone!
Hi Pat — Thank you for posting on this blog. We’re excited to begin this program at IUB. We’re celebrating First Generation Students next Friday, November 8th in Alumni Hall from 4:00 – 6:00 PM. This event is also open to faculty and staff who were also the first in their families to go to college. We will have swag to give away to attendees. I hope that you are able to join us and grab a tech sticker to proudly display.