The Center for First-generation Student Success, a collaborative venture between the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) and The Suder Foundation, has recently included Sam Houston State University among its 76 new members in the First Scholars Network for 2023-24. SHSU’s selection underlines its unwavering commitment to the betterment of the first-generation college students’ experiences and their academic success.
Joe Contreras, executive director of the First-Generation Center at SHSU, expressed great honor at being chosen as a First Scholars Network Member. As the one-year anniversary of the First-Generation Center approaches on June 6, he showed delight at SHSU’s national recognition for its institutional efforts towards first-generation students.
Contreras attributes SHSU’s standing among other universities to the relentless commitment of the university leaders to the success of first-generation students. “We are one of three public universities in Texas that houses a dedicated center exclusively to support first-generation students,” said Contreras. “Our unique standing is also due to our faculty and staff’s undying support to these students and our center.”
The First Scholars Network, driven by the Center for First-generation Student Success, implements a four-phase approach allowing higher education institutions to enhance student success by creating communities of practice, developing knowledge resources, and fostering peer networks. The Network now includes over 350 higher education institutions from 49 states and the District of Columbia.
Dr. Sarah E. Whitley, vice president of the Center, expressed pleasure at welcoming SHSU into the First Scholars Network. She noted that SHSU is not just making efforts to serve first-generation students, but is also preparing for a long-term commitment to nurture a success-oriented environment for this crucial demographic.
In the First Scholars Network’s first phase, selected institutions took part in the First Scholars Network Virtual Kick-off on June 2, 2023. As a Network Member, faculty and staff will have the opportunity to engage with similar institutions working towards improving first-generation students’ experiences and success through monthly calls, professional development, goal setting, blog development, annual reporting, and more.
Upon successful completion of the Network Member phase, institutions move to the second phase, First-gen Forward, following which they can become a First Scholars Institution. The ultimate goal of all Network institutions is to become a First Scholars Champion Campus, a national leadership position.
Dr. Kevin Kruger, president and CEO of NASPA, views the Network Membership as a thrilling opportunity for Sam Houston to join a committed community of professionals, sharing evidence-based practices, overcoming challenges, generating knowledge, and advancing the success of first-generation students nationwide. He is eager to witness the incoming wave of activity from the Class of 2023 Network Members and expects significant contributions from SHSU.
Contreras and his team at the SHSU First-Generation Center are thrilled to be acknowledged for their exceptional efforts and to spotlight the university’s initiatives to support the numerous first-generation students enrolled. Contreras stated, “With 53% of our student population consisting of first-generation students, this national recognition is a testament to our university’s commitment to first-generation student success. This honor will not only propel our university’s excellence but also help attract incoming first-generation students as we strive to become the leading university in Texas for supporting first-generation student success.”
For more information about the Center for First-generation Student Success, visit firstgen.naspa.org.
SHSU’s First-Generation Center, established in June 2022, is committed to assisting first-generation students and their families navigate their university journey. Catering to the university’s student population, where 53% are first-generation students, they offer various services and support. Visit the First-Generation Center’s webpage for more information about first-generation efforts at SHSU.
The Center for First-generation Student Success is transforming higher education by effectively and equitably driving first-generation student success in education, career, and life. The Center offers a platform for sharing state-of-the-art research and trending media conversations, opportunities for engagement through online learning, conferences, and events, and access to an array of programs and services to improve first-generation initiatives in higher education.
NASPA, a member-centered association, supports a diverse and passionate network of 15,000 professionals and 1,200 institutions worldwide. It’s dedicated to fostering student success in alignment with the mission of its institutional members across every sector of higher education.
