Elon was among the institutions selected by FirstGen Forward for its inaugural class of Network Champions.
FirstGen Forward has selected Elon University as one of 14 higher education institutions for its inaugural class of FirstGen Forward Network Champions. Network Champion institutions are an exclusive group serving as national leaders in advancing first-generation efforts and contributing to an important knowledge base of evidence-based practices, leadership engagement and scaling student supports.
“We are excited to be part of this important initiative that will help promote the success of first-generation students and provide opportunities to collaborate with others who are doing this important work,” said Elon Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs Rebecca Kohn.
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.
FirstGen Forward, formerly the Center for First-generation Student Success, partners with higher education, philanthropy, business, the public sector and others to catalyze first-generation student success in education, career and life. To date, 429 institutions of higher education, including two statewide systems, representing 49 states and the District of Columbia have entered FirstGen Forward Network.
“As a Network Champion, Elon University showed a commitment to actively adopt the continuous improvement model and align their efforts with institutional priorities to guide first-generation students to completion,” said Sarah E. Whitley, executive vice president with FirstGen Forward. “Not only is Elon doing excellent work to support their own first-generation students, but they continue to provide support and add to evidence-based practices that serve as a model for all those working to support this population in higher education.”
While movement to this phase signals an important progression, Network Champions remain actively involved and committed to continuous improvement principles while emphasizing institution-focused strategic priorities to improve first-generation students’ experiences and completion rates.
“With 54% of current undergraduate students identifying as first-generation, achieving unprecedented FirstGen student success will have a life-changing impact across generations, as college completion is a significant contributor to education, workforce and life success for the families of graduates,” said Maurice Jones, CEO of FirstGen Forward. “To be named a Network Champion is an honor and a testament to the work of Elon University, evidence that it is a national leader in this area, and a role model for the field for years to come.”
Leading this work at Elon is Kenneth Brown Jr. ’19, assistant director of First-Generation Support Services, which is housed within Elon’s Center for Access and Success. First-Generation Support Services organizes a number of signature events and initiatives around mentoring, student support, advocacy and celebration.
“Elon continues to expand its framework and resources to support first-generation students, and Kenneth Brown has played a leading role in this effort,” said Vice President for Student Life Jon Dooley. “Being selected as a Network Champion is an acknowledgement of the work he and his team have done with colleagues across campus and will inspire even more success in the future.”
Visit the website for Elon’s Center for Access and Success to learn more about first-generation efforts at the university.