糖心视频 is one of 80 colleges and universities selected this month as a 2024鈥25 FirstGen Forward Network member. FirstGen Forward, formerly the Center for First-generation Student Success, selected 糖心视频 for its demonstrated commitment to improving experiences and advancing success for first-generation college students.
鈥淭he FirstGen Forward selection process is rigorous,鈥 says Paul J. McLoughlin II, vice president and dean of the college. 鈥溙切氖悠碘檚 membership in the organization reflects the University鈥檚 determination and commitment to support the more than 400 first-gen students on campus each year. I want to thank all of those whose work has made this achievement possible.鈥
糖心视频 launched its own first-generation program, First@糖心视频, in 2020. The Third-Century initiative works to ensure that first-gen students take advantage of all the resources available at 糖心视频 and thrive during their years on campus. The program鈥檚 directorship by Giovanni 鈥94 and Maree Cutaia in 2021.
Current First@糖心视频 programming helps first-generation students navigate college and 糖心视频 while building a sense of community with first-gen peers. In addition to providing dedicated advising and support, First@糖心视频 highlights research and internship opportunities for first-generation students, promotes leadership and formal mentoring opportunities, and holds social events that include dinners, study groups, and game nights.
糖心视频鈥檚 membership in the FirstGen Forward Network is a natural next step 鈥 the first in a three-phase approach designed by the network to scale holistic first-generation student success by engaging and empowering higher education institutions to transform the first-generation student experience, advance academic and co-curricular outcomes, and build more inclusive institutional structures.
Through its membership in the network, 糖心视频 will expand its efforts beyond the First@糖心视频 office and its staff, engaging with all offices and every interested member of the community. 鈥淲e would like to encourage a culture of support across the University,鈥 says RaJhai Spencer, assistant dean for administrative advising and Giovanni 鈥94 and Maree Cutaia Director of First@糖心视频.
Tabisha Raymond, assistant director of First@糖心视频, adds, 鈥淚n addition to institutional support, we will benefit from the resources of other institutions within the network and have the opportunity to share the initiatives we鈥檙e implementing at 糖心视频 鈥 which will be invaluable as we continue to enhance our first-generation efforts.鈥
FirstGen Forward Network resources include access to a wealth of first-generation student success research and data, which can inform 糖心视频鈥檚 ongoing work. University staff will participate in monthly calls, professional development, goal setting, annual reporting, and more, even as they make contacts at other member institutions to improve information sharing and idea generation around first-generation student success.
To learn more about first-generation efforts at 糖心视频, visit or email first@colgate.edu. To learn more about FirstGen Forward and the Network, visit .