Carleton recognized as national leader in advancing first-generation student success

FirstGen Forward recently announced Carleton as one of only 18 higher education institutions selected to its newest class of FirstGen Forward Network Champions. Network Champion institutions are an exclusive group serving as national leaders in advancing first-generation efforts and contributing to an important knowledge base of evidence-based practices, leadership engagement, and scaling student supports.

“We are very honored to be selected as a Network Champion by FirstGen Forward,” Carleton President Alison Byerly said. “Carleton has a strong commitment to first-generation students, and this network helps us further support their success not only at Carleton, but beyond graduation.”

That commitment is shared by Carleton alumni, first-generation and otherwise, who assist the College’s effort in many ways; the Class of 1975, for example, dedicated part of its 50th Reunion class gift to supporting first-generation students with the First at Carleton Fund.

Formerly known as the Center for First-Generation Student Success, FirstGen Forward originally named Carleton to its 2020–21 First-Gen Forward Cohort in recognition of the College’s demonstrated commitment to advancing first-generation student success. 

“Being recognized as a Network Champion institution is a powerful affirmation of Carleton’s unwavering commitment to first-generation students,” said Vice President for Inclusion, Equity, and Community Dina Zavala. “This honor reflects our dedication to removing barriers, expanding opportunities, and ensuring that every first-generation student has the resources, mentorship, and community they need to succeed. It reaffirms our promise to foster an environment where curiosity is celebrated, diverse perspectives are valued, and each first-generation student is empowered to thrive, excel, and share their unique voice within the Carleton community and beyond.”

The FirstGen Forward Network provides a three-phase approach — Network Member, Network Leader, and Network Champion — to scaling 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. To date, 429 institutions of higher education, including two statewide systems, have entered the Network, representing 49 states and Washington, D.C.

“As one of only 32 institutions in the country to have been recognized as a Network Champion, Carleton has displayed a commitment to actively adopt the continuous improvement model and align their efforts with institutional priorities to guide first-generation students to completion,” said Dr. Stephanie J. Bannister, vice president with FirstGen Forward. “Not only is Carleton doing excellent work to support their own first-generation students, but they continue to provide support and add to evidence-based practices that serve as a model for all those working to support this population in higher education.”

While movement to this phase signals an important progression, Network Champions remain actively involved and committed to continuous improvement principles while emphasizing institution-focused strategic priorities to improve first-generation students’ experiences and completion rates.

“With 54 percent of current undergraduate students identifying as first-generation, achieving unprecedented FirstGen student success will have a life-changing impact across generations, as college completion is a significant contributor to education, workforce, and life success for the families of graduates,” said Maurice Jones, CEO of FirstGen Forward. “To be named a Network Champion is an honor and a testament to the work of Carleton, evidence that it is a national leader in this area, and a role model for the field for years to come.”

To learn more about first-generation efforts at Carleton, visit the First Generation@Carleton webpage. To learn more about FirstGen Forward and the Network, visit firstgenforward.org.

Erica Helgerud ’20 is the news and social media manager for Carleton College.