STEPHENVILLE, Texas — The Center for First-generation Student Success, an initiative of NASPA and The Suder Foundation, today announced the advancement of Tarleton State University to the First Scholars phase of the First Scholars Network.
Tarleton’s selection is based on its demonstrated commitment to positive outcomes for first-generation students through improving success initiatives and institution-wide approaches.
“The Center for First-generation Student success underscores our belief that a successful experience is paramount for first-generation students to continue their education,” said Tarleton President James Hurley. “I am a first-generation graduate, so I personally understand the value and importance of a transformational university education. It’s the very vision of our founder, John Tarleton. When we provide opportunities for students to be the first in their families to earn a university degree, we live out that vision.”
More than 50 percent of Tarleton students are first generation.
“We are extremely honored to be selected as a First Scholars institution by the Center for First-generation Student Success,” said Dr. Sherri Benn, Tarleton’s Vice President for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and International Programs. “We are excited to have such a proven partner and cohort of outstanding institutions dedicated to advancing academic opportunities for first-generation students.”
The First Scholars Network is a four-phase approach that helps institutions of higher education improve outcomes through establishing communities of practice, gaining knowledge of resources and establishing peer networks. More than 275 institutions of higher education have joined the network and progressed through the second phase, First-gen Forward.
The third phase, First Scholars, signals an unprecedented commitment to serving first-generation students. The center recently announced a determination to assist over 700 institutions in the network in the next five years.
“After seeing such exciting network progress and leadership, the center is pleased to welcome Tarleton State University as a new First Scholars institution,” said Dr. Sarah E. Whitley, Vice President of the Center for First-generation Student Success. “Through every step, it was evident that Tarleton is not only invested in serving first-generation students but is prepared to make a long-term commitment to radically change the way first-generation students are served, and to employ strategies for sustainability and scale that result in intentional impact.”
First Scholars provides institutions an ecosystem of resources for engaging in student-centered, systemic transformation. Benefits of participation include:
- an evidence-based and research-supported framework of actionable priorities supported through monthly workshops
- diagnostic tools providing critical institutional insight
- robust data sharing as part of the national Postsecondary Data Partnership
- guidance of expert coaches at each step of the experience
- customized solutions and continuous improvement plans personalized to allow each institution to meet its first-generation student success goal
Institutions meeting milestones in the First Scholars phase are eligible to earn the Champion Campus designation.
“First Scholars provides a unique balance of bringing first-generation student initiative scaling into focus while drilling down into how Tarleton recalibrates institutional systems to elevate potential and advance outcomes for first-generation students, positioning them to be a real leader in first-generation student success,” said Dr. Kevin Kruger, NASPA President and CEO. “I look forward to seeing the university’s success as it drives national change and advances success outcomes for first-generation students.”
To learn more about first-generation efforts at Tarleton State, visit First-Generation Initiatives| TRIO. For more about the First Scholars Network and the Center for First-generation Student Success, go to firstgen.naspa.org.
About Tarleton State University
A founding member of The Texas A&M University System, Tarleton is breaking records — in enrollment, research, scholarship, athletics, philanthropy and engagement — while transforming the lives of more than 15,000 students in Stephenville, Fort Worth, Waco, Midlothian, A&M RELLIS at Bryan and online. True to Tarleton’s values of excellence, integrity, and respect, academic programs emphasize real world learning and address regional, state and national needs.
About the Center for First-generation Student Success
The center is transforming higher education to drive first-generation student success across education, career and life. It provides data, training and expertise for a growing network of U.S. colleges and universities to scale and sustain the work of serving first-generation students.
About 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, 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.
A founding member of The Texas A&M System, Tarleton State University is breaking records — in enrollment, research, scholarship, athletics, philanthropy and engagement — while transforming the lives of approximately 18,000 students in Stephenville, Fort Worth, Waco, Bryan and online. For 125 years, Tarleton State has been committed to accessible higher education opportunities for all while helping students grow academically, socially and professionally through programs that emphasize real world learning and address regional, state and national needs.