UK Receives National Honor for Commitment to First-generation Student Success
LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 6, 2019) — The Center for First-generation Student Success, an initiative of the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA), recently named the University of Kentucky to their inaugural cohort of First Forward Institutions. The First Forward designation recognizes 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.
UK was recognized for its first-generation student advising. The program supports first-generation students from recruitment all the way to graduation through research-based programs, campus resources, best practices and campuswide support surrounding the needs of students who are the first in their families to go to college. The university advocates for first-generation students within their colleges and collaborates with the Division of Student and Academic Life, Enrollment Management, the International Center and the Office for Institutional Diversity.
“The center is so pleased to welcome the University of Kentucky into our inaugural cohort of First Forward institutions," said Sarah E. Whitley, senior director of the Center for First-generation Student Success. "Through the application process, it was evident that UK is not only taking steps to serve first-generation students but is prepared to make a long-term commitment and employ strategies for significant scaling and important advances in the future.”
“We are honored to be selected as an inaugural member institution of NASPA’s elite First Forward program that recognizes the work institutions do on behalf of their first-generation students," said Robert Hayes, director of the Student Services Center at UK. "This honor serves as a reminder for us to continue to seek out innovative ways of serving such an important population of students here at the University of Kentucky.”
As a First Forward Institution, select faculty and staff will be afforded multiple opportunities to engage with peer and aspirational institutions who are also creating environments that improve the experiences and outcomes of first-generation students. Selected institutions will send representatives to the First Forward Workshop to be held in Orlando in June and will participate in monthly phone calls, virtual professional development, goal setting, blog development, annual reporting and more. After two successful years in the program, institutions are eligible to apply for the Advisory Leadership designation.
“First Forward is an exciting opportunity for UK to join an elite 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. We are excited to see a groundswell of activity from the First Forward cohort and know UK will be a significant contributor,” offered Kevin Kruger, president of NASPA.
To learn more about first-generation efforts at UK, visit www.uky.edu/firstgeneration/. To learn more about the Center for First-generation Student Success, visit https://firstgen.naspa.org.
NASPA is the leading association for the advancement, health and sustainability of the student affairs profession. Its work provides high-quality professional development, advocacy and research for 15,000 members in all 50 states, 25 countries and eight U.S. territories. The Center for First-generation Student Success is the premier source of evidence-based practices, professional development and knowledge creation for the higher education community to advance the success of first-generation students. Through four strategic priority areas, the center drives higher education innovation and advocacy for first-generation student success.