SFA recognized for improving experiences, advancing outcomes for first-generation college students

NACOGDOCHES, Texas -- FirstGen Forward, formerly the Center for First-generation Student Success, recently announced Stephen F. Austin State University as one of 80 new members of the FirstGen Forward Network for 2024-25. To be selected as a FirstGen Forward Network member, SFA displayed a demonstrated commitment to improving experiences and advancing success for first-generation college students.

"I am so excited SFA was chosen as a FirstGen Forward Network member," said Raquel Skidmore, director of SFA's Student Success Center. "Approximately 5,000 SFA students, over 40% of our student body, are first-generation, meaning their parents or guardians have not graduated with a bachelor's degree in the U.S. As a first-gen student myself, I experienced many of the same barriers SFA's first-gen students face today, and I am passionate about empowering them to stay here and become the first in their family to graduate from college."

Powered by FirstGen Forward, the network provides a three-phase approach to holistic first-generation student success by 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 higher education institutions, including two statewide systems, have entered the network, representing 49 states and the District of Columbia.

"We are pleased to welcome SFA into the FirstGen Forward Network," said Dr. Stephanie J. Bannister, vice president of FirstGen Forward. "Through the application process, it was evident SFA 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."

As a network member, interested faculty and staff can engage with peer institutions and participate in monthly calls, professional development, goal setting, blog development, annual reporting and more.

"SFA is thrilled to join the FirstGen Forward Network because it presents a golden opportunity for us to adopt evidence-based practices to scale our first-gen learning community, Generation Jacks, so we can serve every Lumberjack who identifies as first-generation," said Dr. Marc Guidry, associate provost for Academic Affairs. "We believe FirstGen Forward will help our first-gens turn their dream of being the first in their family to achieve a four-year degree into a beautiful reality."

After successful completion of the network member phase, institutions may progress to the second phase of becoming a First-gen Forward Network leader. Second-phase institutions receive an evidence-based and research-supported framework of actionable priorities supported through monthly workshops, diagnostic tools providing critical institutional insight, guidance of expert coaches along each step of the experience and more.

"Being named as a network member in the FirstGen Forward Network is an exciting opportunity for SFA 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.

SFA's Generation Jacks program is for first-generation students and provides an academic learning experience and an excellent support network, giving students a strong sense of identity and belonging on campus. GenJacks members take classes that promote student success, participate in service opportunities and social events, and have peer mentors and success coaches from SFA's faculty and staff members who provide support throughout their first year of college.

"SFA has long been home to a large number of first-generation students, and demographic projections indicate that the first-generation population in Texas will only continue to grow," said Megan Weatherly, executive director of SFA's Lumberjack Learning Commons. "We're excited for this opportunity to learn from colleagues around the country about new ways we can help first-gen students achieve their dream of earning an undergraduate degree."

To learn more about first-generation efforts at SFA visit the Generation Jacks webpage. To learn more about FirstGen Forward and the Network, visit the FirstGen Forward website.