UNG honored first-generation students at multiple events during a weeklong celebration in November.
Article By: Denise Ray
The University of North Georgia (UNG) received formal designation as a 2022-23 First-gen Forward institution by the Center for First-generation Student Success.
"We are now being recognized for the purposeful and meaningful approach that we have to support first-generation students here at the university," Jennifer Herring, special assistant to the vice president of UNG's Gainesville Campus said. "Validation if you will, that we've been on the right track in what we have implemented through the first-generation student initiatives."
We are now being recognized for the purposeful and meaningful approach that we have to support first-generation students here at the university.
Jennifer Herring
special assistant to the vice president of UNG's Gainesville Campus
UNG is nearing the completion of the second year of its Gen 1 mentoring program that matches first-generation college students with faculty or staff mentors, with 48 students taking part in 2021-22. The university's Upward Bound Program helps underrepresented and underserved students prepare for, enroll, and graduate from institutions of higher learning. It serves students from Gilmer High School and Johnson High School.
Additionally, UNG held a weeklong celebration of first-generation students in November 2021.
Herring said UNG President Bonita Jacobs' support of first-generation student initiatives has positioned UNG as a leader.
"Being a first-generation student can mean that you have extra ground to cover to be as prepared to navigate the nuances of a college environment, but UNG's designation as a First-gen Forward institution shows our commitment to address and overcome these challenges and meet students where they are," Dr. Alyson Paul, associate vice president of student affairs and dean of students for the Cumming and Gainesville campuses, said. "Our desire is for all students to have the skills to navigate college."
UNG joins "a devoted 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," Dr. Kevin Kruger, National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) president and CEO, said.
As an officially designated First-gen Forward institution, UNG will engage with a broad cohort and regional community of peer institutions willing to discuss challenges, share resources and evidence-based practices, and celebrate program successes. It will also benefit from deeper engagement in the more than 15,000-member NASPA network.
"None of this would have been able to become reality without the support of Dr. Alyson Paul, Dr. Carol Adams and Our Gen 1 program coordinators, Glen Harris and Dr. Becky Conneely," Herring said. "They’ve been instrumental since day one."
