GenJacks is a program for first-generation college students, those whose parents or guardians didn't graduate from a four-year university. GenJacks is an extended learning community that provides support and resources to help first-generation students be successful and stay in college.
The GenJacks program provides mentorship, student success courses, academic support resources, career planning, and experiential learning beyond the classroom through internships and community-based projects.
Students who participate in the program have enhanced faculty and professional academic advisor support, higher GPAs, a cohesive curriculum with linked courses in the cohorts, a higher level of student engagement and social belonging, and higher satisfaction with their college experience.
Students in the GenJacks program must:
-attend the Summer Leadership Academy
-participate in the academic learning community and take SFAS 1101 (The New
Lumberjack Experience, a first-year experience course)
-complete career and professional development through SFAS 1110 and SFAS
2150
-and meet monthly with mentors.
DELIVERY FORMAT: The program is in-person only.
PROGRAM SCALE: Small-scale (reaches fewer than 10 percent of its target population)
PROGRAM OUTCOMES: Data shows that the GenJacks program increases retention and graduation rates by providing transformational experiences.
The one-year retention rate of GenJacks students is 87% compared to 72% for other first-gen students and 81% for students who are not first-generation.
The 6-year graduation rate of GenJacks students is 76% compared to 51% for first-generation students not supported by the program and 59% for students who are not first-generation.
DEPARTMENT(S) OVERSEEING PROGRAM: Student Success Center
CONTACT FOR MORE INFO: Raquel Skidmore at skidmorerr@sfasu.edu or 936-468-6232
- Subject:
- Student Success
- Material Type:
- Student Success: Student-facing
- Provider:
- Stephen F. Austin University
- Author:
- THECB Student Success
- Date Added:
- 09/26/2023