FirstGen Forward Network

Fitchburg State joins FirstGen Forward Network by demonstrating a strong commitment to advancing first-generation student success.
First generation students in main lounge holding up Number 1 with fingers.

Fitchburg State, with a long history of serving first-generation college students, is proud to be a member of the FirstGen Forward Network. This opportunity allows us to further strengthen how we support and celebrate our students and ourselves. We are a community of faculty, staff and students who are proud to be first-generation. Together, we are committed to making a difference by advancing economic and social mobility through our high-quality degree programs, delivered in a supportive, caring environment.

The FirstGen Network is a scaling and community-building model designed to advance holistic success for first-generation college students. 

Formerly known as the Center for First-generation Student Success, the organization was founded in 2017 the network includes over 500 higher education institutions (including statewide systems), across 48 states and the District of Columbia.

It equips colleges and universities with data-informed strategies, peer-learning communities, research, and professional development to move from isolated programming to systemic, campus-wide support.

Higher education institutions join and advance through a structured, three-phase journey 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 students experience, advance academic and co-curricular outcomes and build more inclusive structures. 

FirstGen Forward welcomes 39 new institutions to national FirstGen Forward Network 

About FirstGen Forward

FirstGen Forward is the center for first-generation student success– a premier source for evidence-based approaches, data-informed strategies, professional development, and research. With partner institutions, they are building community and belonging through the FirstGen Forward Network, knowledge creation and evidence-based practices, and through leadership and advocacy, transforming higher education and the student success landscape guided by a first-gen lens.

To learn more about FirstGen Forward and the Network, visit firstgenforward.org.

President Hodge on being accepted into the Network

"We are extremely honored to be selected as a member of the FirstGen Forward Network. Being accepted into the First Gen Forward Network signals what we already know – that Fitchburg State is a community full of students, faculty, staff, and librarians who are or will be the first in their family to earn a degree. Forty-eight percent of our undergraduates, and 55 percent of our incoming freshman class are First Gen, in fact. Achieving this Network status is more than just a recognition of the good work already happening to support First Gen students – it is strengthening a commitment to advancing that work. Through this network and led by Enrollment Management/Student Success and Student Affairs, our teams will have access to a network of peer institutions, professional learning opportunities, access to research, and grant opportunities. The result will be an annual report that will track our progress and set future goals. This recognition comes with a call to action; one we have willingly accepted."