First-generation Student Success Conference

2025 NASPA Conferences on Student Success in Higher Education

AdobeStock_320874197-1
NEW-SSHE_First-Gen-Student-Success

The 2025 NASPA First-generation Student Success Conference, part of the NASPA Conferences on Student Success in Higher Education, will convene scholars and practitioners in Denver, CO, from June 27 – 30 to discuss how higher education professionals across the academy can develop effective approaches to improve the outcomes of first-generation college students.

The NASPA Conferences on Student Success in Higher Education is a co-located conference including the Assessment, Planning, and Data Analytics Conference; the Dismantling Systemic Barriers to Student Success Conference; and the First-generation Student Success Conference.

In addition to a robust selection of educational programming, the conference offers multiple dynamic keynotes, thought-provoking pre-conference workshops, exhibit hall offerings, and much more. This event is your opportunity to take a cross-functional approach to student success when it has never been more important.

Benefits of Participation

Through Network Membership connections, institutions have:

  • Developed first-gen focused peer and faculty mentoring opportunities, with incorporation into summer bridge and/or seminar opportunities;
  • Provided students access to unique social and cultural experiences - including one institution that developed a new martial arts course for first-year, first-gen students as a freshman seminar;
  • Expanded graduate and professional school support for first-gen students both for those attending their institution and for UG students seeking opportunities;
  • Built cross-campus networks to support first-gen students, particularly in response to mental health needs and the growing cost of higher education;
  • Collaborated across institutions for conference presentations;
  • Centered the first-gen identity through visibility campaigns and toolkits for students, faculty, and staff to know they may be first, but are not alone;
  • Hosted hundreds of first-gen celebration events nationwide, with celebration numbers continuing to grow each year; and
  • Led regional community drive-in events, virtual conferences, and professional development.

Network Members gain exclusive access too:

  • An online community through Basecamp learning hubs to connect with other institutions across the country; and
  • A series of knowledge-building and professional development e-modules will be open to any Network institution for engagement as desired and at no cost.

Registration for 2025 is now FULL!

Registration for the 2025 NASPA Conferences on Student Success in Higher Education is now FULL. Note that a pre-conference workshop can still be added to an existing registration before the conference. If you have questions, please contact NASPA Staff at sshe@naspa.org.

The NASPA Conferences on Student Success in Higher Education converge three events into one. By registering for this conference, you gain access to sessions and presentations across any of these three conferences.

Member registration is based on individual membership status at the time of the event. If your current membership expires prior to the event, you will have the option to renew at the time of registration to receive the member rate.

If you are not a current member and are employed by a college or university that is an institutional member, you can join as a professional affiliate member for $80. If your institution is NOT a member, you can join as an associate affiliate member for $250. Both membership types provide access to the individual member rate for the event. Please visit the membership section of the NASPA website to learn more about membership types and benefits. We hope you’ll consider joining today!

If you are experiencing financial hardship, you may qualify for a NASPA Foundation Membership Scholarship or NASPA Foundation Access Scholarship which can be used for this event.

Note that a pre-conference workshop can be added to an existing registration before the conference.

Registration Policy

Be sure to carefully review the registration policy information below.
For a comprehensive listing of NASPA registration policies, please visit this page.

Schedule

All times are in Mountain Time and are subject to change
 
The schedule has been designed to provide participants with interactive and engaging programming, opportunities for deeper discussion, and networking. As details evolve leading up to the Conferences, this schedule will be updated to capture changes.
 
Note: Registration to one conference grants access to content over all three conferences.

FGSS Featured Speaker

Sunday, June 29, 2025 at 11:00 am MT
Tess Barker Headshot-1

Tess Barker, J.D., Ph.D.

Dr. Tess Barker is the Executive Director of the Association for Student Conduct Administration (ASCA). In this role, she serves as a voice and advocate for nearly 2650 ASCA members and the conduct profession generally. 

Tess previously served as Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management at Indiana University Kokomo. During her tenure, IUK expanded athletics, increased dual enrollment, and was accepted into the First Gen Forward Network. She is most proud of having secured funding to establish a Multicultural Center at IUK, the first among Indiana University’s regional campuses.

Barker also served as Chief of Staff to the Chancellor at the University of Michigan-Flint, where she managed high-level initiatives, including developing the campus strategic plan and responding to the Flint Water Crisis. She also served as Executive Director for the Iowa Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, and at NASPA, coordinating the Center for Women; the Minority Undergraduate Fellows Program; and the James E. Scott Academy for Leadership. She teaches higher education law at the University of Iowa and was honored in 2022 by the NASPA Faculty Council for Outstanding Contributions as a Scholar Practitioner. 

Dr. Barker earned her law degree and a Ph.D. in education policy from the University of Iowa and her master’s in college student personnel from the University of Maryland—College Park.

Venue

 

Hyatt-Regency-Denver22

All conference activities will take place at the Hyatt Regency Denver in Denver, Colorado.

Address: 650 15th St, Denver, CO 80202
Phone: (303) 436-1234

Hotel Information Update

We are thrilled by the overwhelming excitement for the 2025 Student Success in Higher Education (SSHE) Conference and cannot wait to welcome you to Denver this June!

Due to high demand, our original conference hotel block at the Hyatt Regency Denver is currently sold out, including the popular shoulder dates of Thursday, June 26 and Friday, June 27. While we continue to work closely with the hotel to increase availability, we encourage you to explore specially discounted alternative hotel options through our official housing link below.

This link connects you to nearby hotels with discounted rates that are convenient to the Hyatt Regency Denver, our host property. These accommodations are vetted to provide a safe and smooth booking experience.