Our Mission
Our Vision
A future in which first-generation students obtain postsecondary credentials; access opportunities equal to their skills, education, and training; and maximize their service to people and communities throughout the world.
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Our Values
As we pursue our work, the values we choose to embody include:
- Passion for, focus on, and commitment to first-generation student success;
- Integrity, confidence, and courage in our actions and relationships;
- Perseverance and audacity in pursuit of excellence;
- Innovation and adaptability in our services; and
- Teamwork and partnerships to produce quality results.
Why FirstGen Video Lorem Ipsum
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Our Founders
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Our 2030 Aspirations
Improve first-generation student outcomes
Increase undergraduate degree completion rates by 10% (24% to 34%) across the FirstGen Forward Network.
Impact first-generation students in the FirstGen Forward Network
Reach at least 5 million undergraduate first-generation students via the Network.
Benefit first-generation students outside of the FirstGen Forward Network
Support at least 3.2 million first-generation undergraduate students outside of the Network via our field development, insights, policy, external relations, and other work.
Increase success of first-generation graduate students
Establish baselines and promote success of the Network's first-generation graduate student population as measured by outcomes data.
Create & sustain a superior customer experience
Satisfy our higher education and first-generation student customers as measured by net promoter scores and other tools.
Increase earned & public sector revenue
Generate 15%-20% of our income from earned revenue, public sector investment, and/or public sector-incented financial assistance.
Solidify reputation as first-generation student expert
Enhance recognition among key stakeholders (higher education executives, business leaders, media, policymakers, funders, etc.) as the premier national expert on first-generation student success.
Scale financial operations & programs
Grow our annual budget to at least $20 million, supporting a staff of at least 50 people.
Attract & retain great talent
Make FirstGen Forward a best place to work.
Transform student experience through the FirstGen Forward Network
Increase Network institutions’ understanding of first-generation student experiences, leading to material improvements in services to these students.
Organize & sustain a multi-sector coalition
Convene and sustain a multi-sector partnership to advance public and private sector initiatives to improve first-generation student completion rates and employment outcomes in family-sustaining jobs.
Our Founders
The Suder Foundation
Since 2008, Eric and Deborah Suder have been working to transform higher education by serving the unique needs of first-generation college students. In 2009, the Suders launched a family foundation and created the First Scholars Program, a holistic network of resources and support to dramatically improve graduation rates and unlock the success of first-generation students across education, career, and life. Driven by a desire to reach more students and create lasting institutional change, in 2017 The Suder Foundation partnered with NASPA in a joint venture to establish the Center for First-generation Student Success and reimagine First Scholars for scalable impact, creating the foundation for FirstGen Forward and the FirstGen Forward Network as it exists today.
NASPA
NASPA is a member-centered association supporting a diverse and passionate network of 15,000 professionals and 1,200 institutions across the globe. It is the professional home for the field of student affairs and is dedicated to cultivating student success in collaboration with the missions of its institutional members—a network of colleges and universities representing every sector of higher education.
Leadership
Visit our Leadership page to learn about our Board of Directors, Advisory Board, Forward Thinkers, and FirstGen Forward staff.
Connect with Us
If you would like to get in touch with our team, please fill out our contact form and we'll be in touch shortly!