The First-Gen Advisory Board collaborates to support first-gen students with programing and mentoring. The board members also provide feedback on first-gen initiatives. All colleges are represented by an advisory board member. The majority of advisory board members are first-gen.

During its first year in existence, the board provided first-gen students with the following:
- All colleges hosted a celebration during National First-Gen Week for its first-gen students that enabled students, faculty, and staff to engage in events that created a culture of awareness and understanding of the first-gen college student experience.
- Planned and executed the inaugural First-Gen to Grad School event. Board members supported with a first-gen panel and round-table events led by first-gen staff and faculty.
- Provided feedback on the First-Gen Center framework (mission, priorities, and vision), glide path for the next 3 years, and first-gen programming.

DELIVERY FORMAT: The program has both online and in-person components.

PROGRAM SCALE: Large-scale (reaches more than 25 percent of its intended target population)

PROGRAM OUTCOMES: Support 53% of students at SHSU who are first-generation.
2021 prior to the establishment of the Advisory Board
- 2 events hosted by SHSU (TRiO and COE).
2022 after the establishment of the Advisory Board
- 14 events hosted by SHSU to include all colleges celebrating its FG students.
- 678 FG students participated in National FG week.

CONTACT FOR MORE INFO: Joe Contreras at jxc200@shsu.edu or 9362943003

Sam Houston State University (SHSU) established its First-Generation Center (FGC) on June 6, 2022, as 53% of its students are first-generation students. An SHSU student is considered first-generation if neither parent nor guardian earned a bachelor’s degree in the United States. The SHSU FGC is dedicated to helping first-generation students and their families navigate their university experience.

The FGC operates on the following PRIORITIES, nested under the SHSU priorities of its strategic plan:
- Connect and engage the first-gen population to university resources and services.
- Enhance an inclusive environment that promotes a sense of belonging and empowers first-gen students to succeed (Proud to be First-Generation).
- Advance a culture of engagement and perseverance through first-gen programming.
- Known for its commitment to first-gen student success in the State of Texas.
- Identify, develop, and strengthen relationships with first-gen alumni, community group/organizations and other entities with a large first-gen focus to support first-gen students.

First-Generation students gain a community, have a transformative experience, and complete a bachelor’s degree.

DELIVERY FORMAT: The program has both online and in-person components.

PROGRAM SCALE: Large-scale (reaches more than 25 percent of its target population).

PROGRAM OUTCOMES: SHSU was recognized nationally (First-Scholars Network) for its commitment to first-generation student success during the FGC’s first year in existence, by the Center for First-generation Student Success (NASPA). To be selected as a First Scholars Network member, SHSU displayed a demonstrated commitment to improving experiences and advancing success for first-generation students.

- 1,165 one-on-one mentoring appointments with professional staff
- Personally connected with 49% of first-gen freshmen (1555)
- 32 first-gen programming events

CONTACT FOR MORE INFO: Joe Contreras at jxc200@shsu.edu or 9362943003

Freshmen Leaders On Campus (FLOC) strives to promote freshmen involvement, community service, and campus pride and represent freshmen in Student Governance and other leadership roles at the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA). FLOC is open to all first-time-in-college first year students. The goals of FLOC are: to promote leadership development and skills building; to increase student confidence in themselves and their leadership abilities; to connect students to on-campus involvement opportunities; and to create camaraderie and strong relationships among participants to enhance social well-being.

DELIVERY FORMAT: The program is in-person only.

PROGRAM SCALE: Small-scale (reaches fewer than 10 percent of its target population)

APPROXIMATE PARTICIPANTS SERVED IN 2021-22: 50

HOW TO ENROLL: Participants must apply to enroll in this program

WEBSITE TO APPLY: https://mavorgs.campuslabs.com/engage/submitter/form/start/544292

EVALUATION STATUS: Data related to program outcomes are currently being internally and externally collected

DEPARTMENT(S) OVERSEEING PROGRAM: Follett Student Leadership Center

CONTACT FOR MORE INFO: Becka Shetty at becka.shetty@uta.edu or 817-272-3211

The TECHniques Center is the only program of its kind in Texas and one of only five in the entire nation. A fee-based program, we provide supplemental academic support services through one-on-one, regularly scheduled tutoring and academic counseling for students diagnosed with a specific learning disability, ADD/ADHD, and/or autism spectrum disorders. We individually match students and tutors to provide excellent academic support and accountability. In addition, tutors receive extensive training that leads to their tutor certification through the College Reading and Learning Association. The goal of the program is to help students build independent learning and self-advocacy skills so they can meet their educational goals. To achieve this success, the majority of our students will meet with their tutor five hours per week. This is typically scheduled as one hour per day during operating hours. Students will also meet with their Academic Counselor once per week for 30 minutes. This level of contact helps with content acquisition, accountability, planning, prioritizing, and time management.

DELIVERY FORMAT: The program has a hybrid format.

PROGRAM SCALE: Small-scale (reaches fewer than 10 percent of its target population)

APPROXIMATE PARTICIPANTS SERVED IN 2021-22: 185

HOW TO ENROLL: Participants must apply to enroll in this program

WEBSITE TO APPLY: https://www.depts.ttu.edu/techniques/applicationprocess.php

EVALUATION STATUS: Data related to program outcomes have been internally collected in the past

PRELIMINARY OUTCOMES DATA: The TECHniques Center Program aims to help students with a historically low retention rate (30-60%) due to learning disabilities, ADD/ADHD, and/or Autism Spectrum Disorder succeed in college. Our average retention rate semester over semester to Texas Tech University is 97-99%.

DEPARTMENT(S) OVERSEEING PROGRAM: Student Disability Services, Texas Tech University

CONTACT FOR MORE INFO: Sharon Betzold at sharon.betzold@ttu.edu or 8067421822

In 2016, UTSA began to intentionally support our large population of first-generation college students. The First to Go & Graduate (F2G&G) program, housed in UTSA's First-Gen & Transfer Center, seeks to develop and support an institution-wide culture that actively recognizes, encourages, and supports first-generation students. Innovative features include the first-generation faculty to first-generation student coaching program, first-generation peer mentors, and an F2G&G Council comprised of students, staff, and faculty. First-gen groups form 'familias' that foster a sense of belonging and encourage retention and academic excellence. Since inception, the center has served over 1,700 students, of which nearly 60% are Hispanic. The most current first- and second-year retention rates for participants exceed UTSA’s overall rates: 88% vs 78% (fall 2020) and 73% vs 66% (fall 2019) respectively. Moreover, 40% of freshmen who participated in F2G&G [fall 2017] graduated in four years, 8% higher than non-participants. Excelencia in Education named the F2G&G Program as an Examples of Excelencia Program to Watch in 2019.

DELIVERY FORMAT: The program has a hybrid format.

PROGRAM SCALE: Small-scale (reaches fewer than 10 percent of its target population)

APPROXIMATE PARTICIPANTS SERVED IN 2021-22: 319

HOW TO ENROLL: eligible and interested participants complete intake form to be assigned a mentor and officially participate in all aspects of the program

EVALUATION STATUS: Data related to program outcomes are currently being internally and externally collected

DEPARTMENT(S) OVERSEEING PROGRAM: Division of Student Success

CONTACT FOR MORE INFO: Tammy Wyatt at tammy.wyatt@utsa.edu or 210-458-5717