First-Generation Faculty and Staff Initiative
Western Kentucky University message to all first-generation college students:
"Welcome to WKU! We are here to help you be successful."
To create a welcoming and belonging atmosphere on campus for first-generation college students we have developed the First-Generation Faculty and Staff Initiative. The Initiative is designed to develop a group of faculty and staff from across campus who identify as first-generation college graduates or who are supporters of first-generation college students. This initiative is designed to increase student success by strengthening the experiences of this unique and valuable population of Hilltoppers.
Our Goals:
- To identify first generation faculty and staff, and first-generation student supporters on WKU's campus;
- To build a faculty staff support-network that will act as mentors and/or sounding boards for the needs of first-generation college students.
Click to Join the Advocate List!
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WKU is proud to be selected by the Center for First-generation Student Success as a member of the First Scholars Network for 2023-2024. Read the press release for more information. |
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Upcoming Events!
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2023-2024 events have concluded. Many thanks to everyone across campus who works to support first-generation students! Below, you can see some information about upcoming summer and fall opportunities for first-generation students. F1rstGen programming continues to grow and evolve. We look forward to presenting additional plans for fall, soon! Faculty & Staff Advocate Newsletter for April (printable with summary of upcoming events) First Gen Advocates PLCThe spring PLC has already begun, but you can read the book online for free courtesy
of WKU Libraries. Read it all, or select the chapters and critical conversations of interest to you. First-Gen High School Summer Camp, application deadline: May 10This camp is for high school students who will be first-generation college students.
Building on the success of its inaugural year in 2023, the camp has expanded to include
more participants (about 30) and an additional day of activities. Attendees will participate
in a schedule of dynamic activities, engaging workshops by WKU faculty and staff,
and social gatherings – all designed to introduce them to the college experience.
The camp will be from June 2 through June 5 and is FREE to participants. Camp is
primarily for students who will be high school juniors and seniors in the fall. Additional
information is available on the First-Gen High School Summer Camp webpage. First 2 the Hill Academy, accepting applications!Students can apply from the F1rstGen student page. F2HA will be a cohort experience for approximately 15 participants. Students should
apply to begin in their second year, and will be able to continue with the program
until they graduate. Participants will receive leadership training, career skills
training, mentors, a scholarship opportunity, and more. There is NO cost for participants. F1RST Gen Living Learning Community, filling fast!Incoming first-time, first-year students are invited to apply to participate in the
F1RST Gen Living Learning Community for 2024-2025. LLC students will live in PFT
with males and females on adjacent floors. (PFT will be an extended-living dorm for
the 24-25 academic year and will be open for Thanksgiving break, fall break, and spring
break.) Students will share at least one for-credit course per semester and complete
the Dynamic Leadership Institute, Phase I and II. Students who are unsure of their
major are preferred. More information and the housing application are available on
the Living Learning Communities webpage. Do you have an event that would be of interest to first-generation students? Would first-generation advocates add value to your event? Use the form on this page to let us know and see how we can help. Additional events are listed on the F1rst Gen page for students. You may also be interested in this list of CITL Faculty Professional Development Opportunities. |
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Who Are First-Generation Hilltoppers?
WKU defines first-generation as “neither parent graduated from a traditional four-year college.” It does not mean that you are the first one in your family to attend college. In addition, a student is considered "first generation" if the student's parents graduated with an associate's degree (two-year degree), attended college but did not graduate, or had a sibling graduate with a bachelor's degree. About 30% of WKU undergraduate students are first-generation. Additional details are available in the downloadable/printable fact sheets. Click the images to download. |
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Resources for Faculty and Staff
WKU Libraries FirstGen Research Guide
This research guide is divided into the following categories: Best Practices for
Teaching, Background Reading, and Resources for Students.
Center for First Generation Student Success (an initiative of NASPA and the Suder Foundation)
Click on the "Journal & Research" and " Engagement" links to see the extensive array
of information available.
WKU F1rst Gen Webpage for Students
Scroll down to "Campus Resources" for information about tutoring (The Learning Center),
counseling, advising, and much more.
Click on "Get Involved" in the black bar to see information for students about upcoming
events, scholarship opportunities, and more.
Sample Syllabus Wording
Consider including a statement on your syllabus indicating your advocacy for first-generation
students. If desired, the following statement can be used verbatim or with adjustments
to better represent your voice and plans for students. For more syllabus tips, contact
WKU CITL or refer to Designing a Motivational Syllabus (Harrington and Thomas, 2018)
If you are a first-generation college student, at WKU this is defined as someone whose parents or legal guardian did not graduate from a traditional four-year college, then you may face a unique set of challenges or have questions that may not seem to apply to other students. I want you to know that this is completely normal and I am here to support you! If you have questions about our class or about WKU in general, please contact me or visit with me in office hours. Again, I am here to support you and am excited to see you succeed at WKU!
Email Signature Graphics
Show your support for first-generation students by adding a graphic to your email signature. Click image to download.
Zoom Backgrounds
Show your support for first-generation students by using a first-generation advocate
Zoom background during your next meeting. Click image to download.
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WKU Faculty and Staff First-Generation Advocates:
Some of the links on this page may require additional software to view.