First Gen Forward

What is it?

During the 2024-2025 academic year, the First Gen Forward (FGF) Network added University of Idaho as a network member. This formally recognizes the university’s support for first-generation students. The FGF Network is a journey for higher education institutions serving as the backbone for this national scaling model, bringing together higher education leaders from around the country to share data, model innovations and scale impact to first-generation student support. The goal is for our institution to advance from a FGF Network Member to a FGF Network Leader to ultimately be a FGF Network Champion. This process will result in prioritizing success for our first-generation students by demonstrating increased data in enrollment, retention, persistence and graduation rates.

Goals

Priority one: Resource mapping and increasing representation

Focuses on promoting the numerous services that exist to support first-generation success at University of Idaho. This requires establishing a few high-visibility opportunities for individuals to access the information available. Maintaining a comprehensive suite of tools and information specifically designed to support first-generation students and employees will be key for this priority.

By prioritizing resource mapping and promotion, we aim to empower first-generation students and employees with the knowledge, tools and success stories that will benefit their journey in higher education, while also building a supportive community. This focus requires that our resources are not only comprehensive and accessible but also continuously evolving to meet the changing needs of our users.

Goal one: 

By the start of Fall 2025, publish a U of I website that hosts the first-generation resources and opportunities for students and employees.

Goal two: 

Starting in November 2024, and for each subsequent month, provide a resource/area on the first floor in the University of Idaho main library that highlights events, programming and initiatives that highlight first-generation students, employees and alumni.

Priority two: Center establishment

Focuses on creating a physical and social space that represents an institutional investment in first-generation success. This priority would address:

  1. Centralized support: providing a single, accessible location where individuals can find the resources, support and/or referrals they need.
  2. Community building: fostering a sense of community and belonging by bringing people together in a dedicated space.
  3. Visibility and accessibility: increasing the visibility and accessibility of services and resources, making it easier for people to find and use them.

Goal: 

Prior to the end of fall semester (December 2025), submit a center proposal (INSPIRE Center) to U of I administration for review. 

Priority three: Assessing the presence and impact of first-generation students and employees on campus 

Focuses on an appreciative approach to understanding the presence and contributions of first-generation individuals at U of I and to raise awareness and visibility. This priority would address:

  1. Demographic analysis: collect and analyze data on the number of first-generation students and employees with the intention of examining trends over time to understand changes to their representation on campus.
  2. Academic and professional contributions: assess the academic achievements and professional contributions of first-generation individuals to highlight their involvement in research, teaching, leadership roles and community service.

Goal: 

By the end of the current program year (October 2025), a survey will be conducted to collect data on first-generation individuals on campus. 

Programs and services (ways to collaborate)

We encourage University of Idaho employees and students to get involved in learning ways to support students who are first-generation college students, to be part of this institutional commitment. If you would like to know more about how to engage and support these initiatives, please reach out to us at jessem@uidaho.edu. Below are some events. 

Events

First-generation college student celebration 

Annual event generally held on Nov. 8 to raise awareness of the contributions and success of first-generation college students. 

First-generation field day

At the beginning of the fall semester, many of the programs that support first-generation college students come together to organize a field day. This is a great opportunity for students to meet others, enjoy a free meal and have fun!

Workshops 

Throughout the academic year, there will be several free workshops open to U of I students to increase awareness of campus resources that provide academic, financial, social and professional support services.

Programs

  • TRIO-INSPIRE McNair Scholars Program
  • TRIO-Student Support Services
  • Vandals First Office
  • College Assistance Migrant Program
  • Tribal Nations Student Affairs

Mentoring programs

  • SSS-TRIO mentoring program
  • PACE mentoring program (Vandals First Office)
  • McNair Graduate-Undergraduate mentoring program

Pre-college programs

  • TRIO-INSPIRE
    • Educational talent search
    • Educational opportunity center
    • Silver Valley Upward Bound
    • STEM access
    • Nations Upward Bound
    • Bridge Idaho
  • HOIST

FGF leadership

Co-chair: Scott Clyde, executive director, TRIO-INSPIRE

Co-chair: Leanna Dann, associate director, TRIO-INSPIRE McNair Scholars program

Kali Armitage, senior director, IT applications and data

Brian Dulin, program coordinator, Vandal Gateway Program

Eric Gower, director, TRIO-INSPIRE Bridge Idaho

Jesse Martinez, director, Vandals First Program

Tyler Rodrigues, student engagement librarian

Krista Soria, associate professor, Adult, Organizational Learning and Leadership

Michael Strickland, professor, research, soil and water systems

Blaine Eckles, Vice Provost for Student Affairs, and Dean of Students