FirstGen Forward, formerly the Center for First-generation Student Success, announced Georgia Northwestern Technical College (GNTC) as one of 80 new members of the FirstGen Forward Network for 2024-25. To be selected as a FirstGen Forward Network Member, GNTC displayed a demonstrated commitment to improving experiences and advancing success for first-generation college students.
“We are extremely honored to be selected as a member of the FirstGen Forward Network,” said Dr. Heidi Popham, president of GNTC. “With a high percentage of our student body being first-generation, GNTC is committed to creating pathways that lead to students’ achievement and growth. GNTC is dedicated to empowering first-generation students by providing academic and student support services such as personalized academic advising, financial aid guidance, career counseling and access to resources that address unique challenges. Our goal is to ensure GNTC students have access to the tools and resources necessary for their academic and professional success.”
Powered by FirstGen Forward, formerly the Center for First-generation Student Success, the FirstGen Forward Network provides a three-phase approach 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.
“We are pleased to welcome Georgia Northwestern Technical College into the FirstGen Forward Network,” said Dr. Sarah E. Whitley, executive vice president with FirstGen Forward. “Through the application process, it was evident that Georgia Northwestern Technical College is not only taking steps to serve first-generation students but is prepared to make a long-term commitment and employ strategies that foster an environment of success for this important population.”
In this first phase of the network, selected institutions participated in the FirstGen Forward Network Virtual Kick-off on June 6, 2024. As a network member, interested faculty and staff are afforded opportunities to engage with peer institutions also working to create environments that improve the experiences and success of first-generation students, and will participate in monthly calls, professional development, goal setting, blog development, annual reporting and more.
After successful completion of the network member phase, institutions may progress to the second phase, First-gen Forward Network Leader, in which institutions receive an evidence-based and research-supported framework of actionable priorities supported through monthly workshops; diagnostic tools providing critical institutional insight; robust data sharing as part of the national Postsecondary Data Partnership; guidance of expert coaches along each step of the experience and more. Ultimately, all Network institutions strive for national leadership as a FirstGen Forward Network Champion.
“Being named as a network member in the FirstGen Forward Network is an exciting opportunity for Georgia Northwestern Technical College to join a dedicated 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 country,” said Maurice Jones, CEO of FirstGen Forward. “We are excited to see a groundswell of activity from the Class of 2024 Network Members and know GNTC will be a significant contributor.”