Tulane University has experienced a steady rise in first-generation student enrollment, reaching an enrollment high, an increase of 37% from the prior year. In alignment with Tulane’s core values, Newcomb-Tulane College (the undergraduate degree-granting body of Tulane University) launched the First-Generation Task Force to examine the lived experiences of first-generation students and reimagine how the university supports their success.
Chaired by leaders within Newcomb-Tulane College and composed of cross-campus representatives, the First-Generation Task Force became a catalyst for collaborative engagement. The charge of the task was clear: assess the current experience of first-generation students at Tulane and to identify opportunities for more focused support for this growing population of students in the areas of academic success, campus life, and in reaching their goals after graduation. The work of the taskforce was formally initiated in spring 2024 and completed in February 2025.
At the heart of this work of supporting first generation students is a deep commitment to centering student voices. Four focus groups and a student panel provided direct insight into the challenges and opportunities experienced by first-generation students. Key themes included challenges navigating resources, adapting to academic rigor, financial uncertainty, and a desire for stronger connection and guidance. Students repeatedly emphasized the importance of access to support, affirming relationships with faculty and staff, and a central point of contact to help them manage the complexity of college life. These student experiences shaped the Task Force’s final recommendations, which are intentionally aligned with the challenges and insights voiced by participants. Six core areas of opportunity emerged: academic support, career guidance, financial assistance, community building, mental health and wellbeing, and family education. Each reflects a direct response to students’ stated needs.
These conversations informed not only the recommendations of the Task Force but also laid the foundation for TU Thrive, a 2025, campus-wide initiative developed in partnership with Tulane’s Pell-Eligible Student Work Group, to support first-generation students and students receiving certain grants and scholarships throughout their college journey. TU Thrive is committed to ensuring students are supported holistically, with resources that reflect their lived experiences, values, and aspirations. At the center of this initiative is the Success Network, a cross-functional team of campus offices and support services committed to supporting TU Thrive students. To deepen this commitment, the university is launching the TU Activator initiative, designating trained staff and faculty across key offices to serve as visible, informed, and responsive points of contact. Together, the Success Network and Activators form a coordinated, campus-wide support system designed to meet students where they are and help them reach their goals. As TU Thrive continues to evolve, additional resources and opportunities will be introduced to deepen support and further center students' voices.
This layered, cross-campus approach marks a shift at Tulane, from identifying challenges to building sustainable, opportunity-centered solutions. This is only the beginning. The First-Generation Task Force made clear that meaningful support requires shared leadership and long-term investment. As the university continues to grow this work, it is sharply focused on first-generation students bringing depth, drive, and perspective that strengthen our campus community. Tulane is committed to honoring that by ensuring their success remains a shared and ongoing priority.
For more information on Tulane University's approach, please visit their website here.
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