TWU recognized for commitment to first-generation college students

Aug. 1, 2024 — DENTON — Texas Woman’s University has been selected as one of eighty new members of the FirstGen Forward Network for 2024-25 by FirstGen Forward, formerly the Center for First-generation Student Success. To be selected as a FirstGen Forward Network Member, TWU displayed a demonstrated commitment to improving experiences and advancing success for first-generation college students.

“We are extremely honored to be selected as a member of the FirstGen Forward Network,” said Becky Rodriguez, executive director of the Center for First-Generation Students. “Our center provides a whole host of wrap-around services that support our first-generation students, and it's our mission to ensure that they have the resources they need to succeed.”

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 Texas Woman’s University into the FirstGen Forward Network,” said Dr. Stephanie J. Bannister, vice president with FirstGen Forward. “Through the application process, it was evident that Texas Woman’s 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.”

TWU’s Center for First-Generation Students makes an important contribution to the lives of students. Anisya Navarro, a first-generation student from San Antonio, graduated with her bachelor's in Spring 2021 and her doctorate in Occupational Therapy in Spring 2024. She credits TWU with helping her succeed.

“The center helped support my educational goals,” said Navarro. “Everyone at the center made me feel welcomed and like I belonged. They helped me understand how to navigate the university, gave me access to mentorship programs and job opportunities on campus and provided connections that will help me after college.”

In this first phase of the Network, selected institutions participated in the FirstGen Forward Network Virtual Kick-off on June 6, 2024. As a Network Member, 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. Ultimately, all Network institutions strive for national leadership as a FirsGen Forward Network Champion.

“Being named as a Network Member in the FirstGen Forward Network is an exciting opportunity for Texas Woman’s University to 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 Texas Woman’s will be a significant contributor.”

To learn more about first-generation efforts at Texas Woman’s, visit the Center for First-Generation Students. To learn more about FirstGen Forward and the Network, visit firstgenforward.org.

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Page last updated 4:31 PM, September 3, 2024