University Designated as First Scholars Institution
September 28, 2023 5:02 AM

Dear Members of the University Community,

Building on recent efforts to continue support for first-generation students, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has been designated a First Scholars Institution by the Center for First-generation Student Success, an initiative of NASPA (Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education) and The Suder Foundation.

Illinois was one of 22 institutions named to the First Scholars 2023 cohort, the next level of recognition in the nation’s first program acknowledging higher education institutions for their commitment to first-generation student success. Across the entire First Scholars Network, over 350 institutions have been recognized. Collectively, they represent a community of professionals prepared to share evidence-based practices and resources, troubleshoot challenges, generate knowledge, and continue to advance the success of first-generation students across the United States. 

First Scholars is the third phase of the First Scholars Network and serves as the Center’s customized approach to intentional institutional transformation to advance student success. Illinois is the first university in the state of Illinois to achieve this designation, and we are pleased to announce that we have launched a national search for a new director of First-Generation Initiatives in the Office of Minority Student Affairs to help lead our first-generation student support services.

“The Office of Minority Student Affairs (OMSA) is elated to be recognized for the second year in a row for its continual efforts to expand educational equity and success for first-generation, low-income, and an array of historically underserved student communities. My colleagues and I are excited to deepen our relationship with the outstanding higher education professionals within the First Scholars community. We look forward to networking, sharing our best practices, and learning new, evidence-based strategies which we can utilize to increase success for all Illinois students,” remarked Domonic Cobb, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Student Success, Inclusion & Belonging and former director of the Office of Minority Student Affairs (OMSA).

“Our designation as a First Scholars Institution speaks to our dedication as a university to provide as much opportunity as we can, for as many people as we can,” said John Coleman, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Provost. “The diversity of our community and the spirit of inclusion are true strengths of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. When students join us, we are committed to maximizing their potential for success by building support structures that are about the whole student, in and outside of the classroom.”

As members of a First Scholars Institution, staff and faculty will work closely with the Center for First-generation Student Success to continue our commitment to improving experiences and advancing success for first-generation college students. This entails building a foundational understanding of first-generation student success through participating in monthly workshops, networking and professional development opportunities, sharing knowledge and resources, and contributing to a peer community.

To learn more about support for first-generation students at Illinois, visit the First-Generation Students website at https://firstgen.illinois.edu/ and the Student Success Initiative, at https://publish.illinois.edu/studentsuccess.

To learn more about the Center for First-generation Student Success, visit https://firstgen.naspa.org/.

Sincerely,

Danita M. Brown Young
Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs