Network Member
Beginning your Network journey
Network Member institutions commit to building a foundational understanding of first-generation student success through participation in monthly workshops, networking and professional development opportunities, sharing knowledge and resources, and contributing to a peer community.
An institution may advance to the next phase, Network Leader, upon successful completion of the Network Member requirements over the course of a year. By joining the Network, your institution is making a commitment to advancing first-generation outcomes with the goal of becoming a Network Champion.
Benefits of Participation
Through Network Membership connections, institutions have:
- Developed first-gen focused peer and faculty mentoring opportunities, with incorporation into summer bridge and/or seminar opportunities;
- Provided students access to unique social and cultural experiences - including one institution that developed a new martial arts course for first-year, first-gen students as a freshman seminar;
- Expanded graduate and professional school support for first-gen students both for those attending their institution and for UG students seeking opportunities;
- Built cross-campus networks to support first-gen students, particularly in response to mental health needs and the growing cost of higher education;
- Collaborated across institutions for conference presentations;
- Centered the first-gen identity through visibility campaigns and toolkits for students, faculty, and staff to know they may be first, but are not alone;
- Hosted hundreds of first-gen celebration events nationwide, with celebration numbers continuing to grow each year; and
- Led regional community drive-in events, virtual conferences, and professional development.
Network Members gain exclusive access too:
- An online community through Basecamp learning hubs to connect with other institutions across the country; and
- A series of knowledge-building and professional development e-modules will be open to any Network institution for engagement as desired and at no cost.
Benefits of Participation
Through Network Membership connections, institutions have:
Network Members gain exclusive access to:
Network Member Eligibility
Each phase of the Network has unique eligibility and programmatic requirements. Eligibility to join remain engaged as a Network Member include:
1. Be an active, accredited, two-year or four-year institution of higher education located within the United States;
2. Secure cabinet-level leadership support and commitment to participation;
3. Designate a minimum of two currently employed faculty and/or staff, plus at least one senior leader, to serve as the institution leadership team (additional faculty/staff are welcome to participate in programming); and
4. Commit to fulfilling the items outlined in the Required Experiences.
Required Experiences
The following are the Network Member requirements for institutions in their first year of Network participation. Requirements are adjusted for institutions that remain engaged as a Network Member longer than one year.
| Virtual Kick-off | Institutional Blog |
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First-Generation College Celebration |
| Monthly Meetings Network Member Bi-Monthly (2) Regional Meetings |
Network Leader Interest Meeting |
| Learning Development (3) Paid Opportunities Per Year |
Annual Report |
Associated Cost
Please note: there is no application cost or annual fee to become a Network Member. The only costs associated with the Network Member experience include those related to learning and development requirements.
Learning and Development 2024-2025 Options
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How to Join
Join the FirstGen Forward Network
To join the FirstGen Forward Network, you will apply using the Readiness and Progress Audit. The Readiness and Progress Audit is a diagnostic tool designed to gather valuable data on how your institution serves first-generation students.