CatalystFIRST
CatalystFIRST
Affordable first-gen student success speakers for any event.
Your one-stop shop
FirstGen Forward serves as the leading resource for those seeking keynote speakers, presenters, and facilitators for in-person and virtual engagements across the nation.
CatalystFIRST advances critical first-generation student success conversations through national convenings, advocacy, and policy influence. We provide talented speakers to elevate your event, big or small, while remaining an affordable option for all institution types, sizes, and geographic locations.
Network Journey
We invite you to explore the three phases that make up the FirstGen Forward journey for an institution upon joining the Network. New institutions will begin in the Network Member phase before progressing through the journey to become a Network Champion!
Benefits
CatalystFIRST is your one-stop resource for access to the nation’s premier scholars and practitioners who can offer expert insights on first-generation student success topics designed for the specific needs of your audience.
CatalystFIRST guarantees that our speakers:
- are carefully selected and vetted first-generation student success national scholars and thought leaders;
- design unique presentations and talks specific to the goals of your event;
- are equipped to speak with audiences of all sizes and levels of leadership and for events of any format (in-person or virtual);
- all possess a strong record of academic scholarship, professional experience, and public speaking in higher education; and
- are represented by FirstGen Forward, who manage and coordinate all logistics for the requested speaking engagements.
Through CatalystFIRST, you will find an outstanding team of scholars, researchers, and practitioners who can shape the first-generation landscape through expert presentations and addresses, both in-person and virtually, while working within your budgetary needs.
Our Speakers
If you are not sure which speaker is the best fit for your engagement, we can help. To the best of your ability, please provide as much detail as possible in the Speaker Request Form, located below, so we may consider your needs and budget.
Georgianna L. Martin, Ph.D.
University of Georgia
Associate Professor, Counseling & Human Development Services
Brett Bruner, Ed.D.
Wichita State University
Assistant Vice President for Student Success & Persistence
Lindsay Romasanta, Ed.D.
University of California, Davis
Chief of Staff for the Division of Student Affairs
Rashné Jehangir, Ph.D.
University of Minnesota–Twin Cities
Professor of Higher Education and Assistant Dean of Education Opportunity Program; Robert H. Beck Chair of Ideas
T. Mark Montoya, Ph.D.
Northern Arizona University
Associate Dean for Curriculum & Student Affairs, College of Social & Behavioral Sciences; Associate Professor, Ethnic Studies
James K. Winfield, Ed.D
Southern New Hampshire University
Associate Dean for FYE, General Education and Retention Strategies
Cost & Fees
Speaking engagement fees will vary depending on the engagement request. FirstGen Forward will work with you and your institution to find a speaker that best fits your budget.
In addition to the speaker’s fee, the engagement site host should be prepared to cover the speaker’s travel (including local travel), accommodations, and meals for in-person or place-based engagements. Please do not hesitate to ask questions should you have specific needs or parameters.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far out can I submit a request for a speaker for my particular event or engagement?
As soon as you know you may need a first-generation student success speaker! We recommend reserving a speaker as early as possible, and ideally no later than 30 days before your event. We require all agreements to be executed before your event so please keep your signature process for contract and agreements in mind.
Can the speaker participate in a multi-day engagement?
Yes! Please include details about the multi-day engagement in your Speaker Request Form.
What topics are the speakers able to cover?
We offer a diverse range of topics to support first-generation student success, including:
- Campus Readiness & Strategic Planning
- Identity & Intersectionality
- Developing Asset-Based Initiatives, Support Programs, & Services
- Intentional Universal Design for First-generation Students
- Establishing a FirstGen Community
- Classroom & Curriculum
- Shaping the FirstGen Narrative & Power of Storytelling
- FirstGen Student Success 101
- Building Your Stakeholders for FirstGen Initiatives & Institution Buy-in
- Financial Literacy
- Assessing & Utilizing Your FirstGen Data
- Emerging Trends
- Social Mobility
- Customized Workshops
Secure a Speaker
Interested in securing a CatalystFIRST speaker for your next event?
FirstGen Forward will be in touch with the primary contact on the form to discuss the engagement details shortly after receiving the form submission.