Providing a pathway to success for first-generation college students is one of Wichita State University's highest priorities and a success story that everyone can be proud of.

First-generation students are identified as those whose parents have not earned a bachelor's degree. Since 2006, Wichita State's enrollment and retention efforts have resulted in a 55 percent increase in first-generation Shockers.

In fall 2018, about 45 percent of degree-seeking undergraduate students at Wichita State were first-generation students.

“First-generation students make up a large percentage of our student body,” says LaWanda Holt-Fields, director of the TRIO – McNair Scholars Program at WSU. “We want to see them thrive while in college so that they are prepared to move into their careers. The success of Wichita State students is the success of Wichita State.”

Wichita State has long been involved in service to the Midwest region, preparing first-generation students for post-secondary entry and supporting the academic and social support of enrolled students. This work has historically been housed in TRIO and GEAR UP programs. These programs, federally funded and hosted by WSU, are intentionally designed to support the transition to college of this important student population.

In recent years, other campus offices have come to the table to broaden the university approach. The current university strategy asks the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, the Office of Student Success and the Division of Student Affairs to increase their attention and resources allocations for programming for first-gen students. As other offices see increases in their first-gen student population, they too are asked to engage in greater supports.

New council created for first-generation students

While retention is paramount, says Kaye Monk-Morgan, assistant vice president for Academic Affairs, the university is also engaged in implementing a recruitment strategy. The strategy includes having a dedicated representative to support first-gen students and the high school and community programs that serve them. Additionally, scholarship resources have been dedicated to support our students who are first-in-family.

WSU recently created a First-Generation Coordinating Council, comprising faculty and staff representatives from each of the academic colleges and several support offices. This council supports the work of the university-wide Strategic Enrollment Management group and the strategic enrollment goals. The council reviews data related to first-gen admission, enrollment and persistence. Goals also include marketing to build a culture of awareness and celebration for students and faculty development.

“Wichita State is committed to being an educational and economic driver for the state of Kansas. The desire to serve first-gen students not only fits our mission, but doing so enriches our classroom discussions, broadens our co-curricular opportunities and diversifies the future workforce of Wichita, Kansas and beyond,” says Monk-Morgan.