First-Generation Faculty and Staff Initiative
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.
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 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.
Advocate action: Encourage first-gen students completing their first year to apply.
F1RST Gen Living Learning Community
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.
Advocate action: Encourage FTFY incoming students who are first-gen and unsure of their major to apply!
Note: Students who do not wish to participate in the LLC but would like to live adjacent
to other first-gen students should let us know! They may be able to live in one of
the remaining rooms on the LLC floors of PFT. Use the webform on this page to ask
how.
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.
You can read the spring 2024 Professional Learning Community (PLC) book online for
free courtesy of WKU Libraries. Read it all, or select the chapters and critical conversations of interest to you.
Book: At the Intersection: Understanding and Supporting First-Generation Students
Editors: Robert Longwell-Grice and Hope Longwell-Grice
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.
Use list controls to Sort and Search.
Prospective Students:
WKU Preview Days - First Gen Session
Going to college is a big step, especially for students who are the first in their family to choose this path. Our first-generation session is all about the student support services available for first generation students and how to navigate this big transition.
First Gen High School Summer Camp
The First Gen High School Summer Camp is an overnight, on campus experience designed specifically for high school students who will be the first in their families to attend college. This immersive camp features hands-on workshops, engaging activities, and mentorship opportunities aimed at building essential skills in self-advocacy, college readiness, and networking.
Current Students:
Make it Count
Make it Count (MIC) is an academic engagement series of events intended to develop professionalization, networking, self-advocacy, and socialization skills as students climb the Hill to their first career. Students who participate in qualified events in one of our guided Suitable pathways are eligible to earn up to $250 each semester in completion grants towards their WKU account.
F1rstGen Living Learning Community
The F1rstGen LLC creates an opportunity for students to learn how to be a great college student and maximize their college experience. Students will take courses together and learn more about major/career path options, campus resources, how to access high impact learning experiences, and how to lay a foundation for future academic and career success. This LLC is open to any first-generation student who does not already have credit for the linked courses and is best suited for exploratory students who are not sure of their major/career path.
First 2 the Hill Academy
The First to the Hill Academy (F2HA) is an exciting cohort program for second-year students. Our mission is to equip students with essential skills in self-advocacy, networking, social capital, and professional development. Through engaging workshops and personalized mentorship opportunities, students will connect with a supportive community of fellow first-gen students who share ambitions and experiences. F2HA offers the chance to qualify for completion grants each semester, helping ease the financial burden of higher education.
First Advocate Mentoring (FAM) - Faculty/Staff Advocates Mentorship
The First Advocate Mentoring (FAM) program will provide first-generation students with guidance, support, and resources from experienced faculty and staff, helping them navigate academic challenges and enhance their educational experience. FAMs will be matched in November and mentoring will begin in spring. FAMs will commit to meeting for 30 minutes twice a month starting in February through April. FAM pairs will determine a day/time to have virtual or in-person meetings.
First Year Mentoring - Student Ambassador Peer Mentorship
The First Gen Ambassador Peer Mentorship program connects first-year, first-generation students in the Living Learning Community with dedicated First Gen Student Ambassadors. This initiative fosters a supportive environment where students can share experiences, offer advice, and build meaningful connections. Mentor pairs will check-in weekly and meet monthly to cultivate a sense of belonging and motivation to persist in their academic journey.
F1rstGen Student Ambassadors
In addition to supporting first-generation students, ambassadors have opportunities for scholarships and engagement that can help with academic and professional goals. Juniors preferred. Previous involvement in F1rstGen programming or other student success programs on campus preferred.
First Gen Leadership Team
Cierra Waller - CITL, F2HA
April McCauley - CITL, F1rstGen LLC
Destiny O’Rourke - TRIO
LaMario Moore - Intercultural Student Engagement Center
TBD - GFCB
Dr. Dawn Winters - PCAL Faculty
Jeremy Logsdon - CEBS Faculty
Tammy Dorris - WKU Online
Amy Wininger - CHHS Navigator
Wayne Simpson - Career Development Center
Zach Marcum - Alumni Association liaison
Competencies
F1rstGen programming strives to build the following competencies. These competencies mesh the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) Career Readiness Competencies with the skills needed to excel as part of the WKU student body.
- Career & Professional Development
- Communication & Community Building
- Personal Development & Wellbeing
- Leadership & Service
- Academic Engagement & Achievement
FirstGen Forward Network Member
We are excited to be part of the FirstGen FORWARD Network. This organization, previously known as the Center for First-Generation Student Success, is dedicated to raising awareness and opportunities for first-generation students nationwide. The First Scholars Network offers a national model for 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.
Alumni-in-Residence Program received 2024 Circle of Excellence Award from CASE
The WKU Alumni Association and its partners in the Office of the Provost, Center for
Innovative Teaching and Learning and each academic college have been honored by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) with a Silver
award in the category of Leadership: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Initiatives for the
First Generation Alumni in Residence Program launched in November 2023.
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