University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign recognized as national leader in advancing first-generation student success
March 25, 2025 5:01 AM

FirstGen Forward, formerly the Center for First-generation Student Success, recently announced the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign as one of only eighteen (18) institutions of higher education 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 extremely honored to be selected as a Network Champion in the FirstGen Forward Network,” said the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s Acting Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Success, Inclusion and Belonging, Domonic Cobb.

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 the District of Columbia.

“As one of only thirty-two institutions in the country to have been recognized as a Network Champion, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign 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 the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign 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% 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 the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, 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 the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign visit https://firstgen.illinois.edu. To learn more about FirstGen Forward and the Network, visit firstgenforward.org.

About FirstGen Forward

FirstGen Forward™, formerly the Center for First-generation Student Success, partners with higher education, philanthropy, business, the public sector and others to catalyze first-generation student success in education, career and life.