Network Champion Convening
The inaugural Network Champion Convening at the NASPA Conferences on Student Success in Higher Education will take place on June 27-28, 2025.
Modeling strategies and initiatives for first-gen students
We are thrilled to announce our inaugural Network Champion Convening at the NASPA Conferences on Student Success in Higher Education, held in Denver, CO on June 27-28, 2025.
The Network Champion Convening brings together higher education leaders to explore critical strategies and initiatives to support first-generation college students. Participants will gain insights into key areas through interactive workshops and panel discussions.
Participants
We are inviting two representatives from each Network Champion institution to attend the Network Champion Convening. Each participant will receive two nights' hotel accommodations and a locked-in early conference registration rate (additional nights will be at the participant’s expense).
Additionally, one participant from each institution will receive a conference registration paid for by FirstGen Forward. We will be working with institutional primary contacts to collect participation information for those attending.
FirstGen Forward and Expert Guides will provide regular email updates and check-ins with each institution as we get closer to June 2025.
Key Areas:
Leveraging Data
The first workshop focuses on leveraging high-level data to enhance decision-making, improve student success, and measure student support programs' return on investment (ROI).
Navigating Policy Changes
A second workshop will examine recent changes in public policy and legislation, equipping leaders with the tools to navigate policy changes and advocate for first-generation students within a legal framework.
Workforce Development
Fundraising
A funding, fundraising, and development session will provide actionable strategies to secure financial support and build sustainable initiatives that improve long-term outcomes for first-generation students.
Schedule
Thursday
| Participants arrive (Arrive on site by 5pm MT if possible) |
| Conference & Network Champion Convening check-in and evening Welcome Social (Hyatt Regency Denver at Colorado Convention Center) |
Friday
| 7:30am—5:00pm: Network Champion Convening sessions (Breakfast & Lunch included) |
Saturday
| 7:30am—12:00pm: Network Champion Convening sessions (Breakfast included) |
| FirstGen Forward Network Lounge Open |
Frequently Asked Questions
General Information
Overview
Please keep in mind that any action items related to the Network Champion Convening will be sent directly to the institution’s Leadership Team. This document serves as a helpful resource for addressing any questions you or your colleagues may have regarding the Convening.
Why am I being asked to attend the Network Champion Convening?
The Network Champion Convening brings together higher education leaders to explore critical strategies and initiatives to support first-generation college students. Participants will gain insights into four key areas through interactive workshops and panel discussions.
Who should attend the Network Champion Convening?
We strongly recommend your two Network Champion Convening participants comprise individuals leading first-generation efforts at your institution, including programmatic and strategic areas.
What costs are covered by FirstGen Forward?
FirstGen Forward will provide TWO nights’ hotel stay for your two participants. FirstGen Forward will work directly with you to book and manage your hotel reservation.
Also, ONE (1) participant from each institution will receive a free conference registration. This information will be collected on the Participation Form.
Once Network Champion Convening participants have been confirmed, each will receive a registration code to access a locked-in early registration rate for the conference.
Can additional colleagues attend the Network Champion Convening (at their own expense)?
Our facilities are limited and we are not able to accommodate additional participants beyond those invited from each institution. If you would like to discuss this further, please contact your Expert Guide.
Travel/Transportation
When should I plan on arriving/departing?
As the Network Champion Convening will begin the morning of Friday, June 27, 2025, participants will arrive and check into their hotel on Thursday, June 26, 2025. Where possible, participants should try to be at the hotel by 5 pm MT in order to check-in and attend a Welcome Social held that evening.
The on-site registration desk will be located in the Mineral Foyer on Thursday, June 26th from 3:00—5:00pm CT.
All participants will need to be present by the start of Friday, June 27, 2025.
Network Champion Convening continues until mid-day on Saturday, June 28, 2025, at which time participants are encouraged to stay for the NASPA Conferences on Student Success in Higher Education. The conference will continue through Monday, June 30, 2025.
Participants will indicate their arrival and departure dates on the Network Champion Convening Participation Form and FirstGen Forward will facilitate making hotel bookings on each participant’s behalf. FirstGen Forward will cover the cost of two nights; any additional nights will be billed directly to the participant.
Can I book my Flight/Train?
Participants are responsible for booking their own travel. We recommend you wait to book travel until your participant information has been shared with FirstGen Forward.
As the closest airport, we recommend flying into Denver International Airport (DEN).
When booking travel, please consider the Network Champion Convening and conference schedules to ensure time to travel to and from the airport/station. When arriving on Thursday, June 26, please try to arrive on-site by 5 pm. This will give you time to check in for Leadership Academy and attend our evening Welcome Social.
What if I have already made travel arrangements to attend the NASPA Conferences on Student Success in Higher Education?
All travel arrangements—aside from hotel accommodations—are the responsibility of participants. You will be able to use the Participation Form to indicate whether you would like FirstGen Forward to organize your hotel accommodations.
Will there be a shuttle from the airport to the hotel?
Participants are responsible for booking and planning their own travel to and from the airport and their hotel. We encourage you to carpool when possible and tip your drivers.
Driving to Denver/hotel parking
Hotel parking is included for participants and will be applied to the hotel room and paid for directly by FirstGen Forward. Please indicate the need for hotel parking in your Participation Form.
Hotel
What hotel are we staying in?
The Network Champion Convening and the conference will be held at the Hyatt Regency Denver at Colorado Convention Center. While we do have a hotel room block within the Hyatt Regency Denver, some of our participants may be placed in nearby hotels.
I already have a hotel room booked. Should I change/cancel it?
FirstGen Forward will only cover the cost of hotel rooms booked and managed internally. If you wish to book your own hotel, you will be responsible for all associated costs. Either way, please indicate this in your Participation Form.
You have two options:
- You may choose to keep your current booking. You will be responsible for managing and paying all costs associated with this booking; or,
- You may cancel your current booking (be sure to check for any charges or penalties associated with cancellation) and have FirstGen Forward book on your behalf.
How is the hotel room being booked?
FirstGen Forward is currently securing room blocks for Network Champion Convening participants. Reservations will be made for participants based on the travel dates indicated on your Participation Form.
Anyone wishing to stay additional nights (i.e., checking in before June 26, 2025 or checking out after June 30, 2025) must coordinate and pay for this on their own. FirstGen Forward will not be able to facilitate hotel bookings outside of these dates.
Is there parking at the hotel?
Hotel parking is included for participants staying at one of our conference hotels; this will be applied to the hotel room and paid for directly by FirstGen Forward. Participants choosing to stay elsewhere will not have their parking costs covered. Please indicate the need for hotel parking in your Participation Form.
Can I extend my stay?
Anyone wishing to stay additional nights (i.e., checking in before June 26, 2025 or checking out after June 30, 2025) must coordinate and pay for this on their own. FirstGen Forward will not be able to facilitate hotel bookings outside of these dates.
Conference Registration
Do Network Champion Convening participants need to attend any specific pre-conference workshops?
While we are still finalizing the full details of the schedule, please hold on registering for the conference and/or any pre-conference workshops. Any required pre-conference workshops will be communicated to you soon, and there will be no additional costs to attend these. We will send along additional information and instructions when the details are finalized.
Do I need to attend the NASPA Conferences on Student Success in Higher Education? Or can I just attend the Network Champion Convening?
While we understand scheduling and financial constraints may prohibit attendance at the conference, we strongly encourage all Network Champion Convening participants to stay for the entirety of the conference, if possible.
Do I need to register for the NASPA Conferences on Student Success in Higher Education?
Leadership Academy participants (including those staying for the conference) will need to register themselves. Please refer to our regular email communications to view the registration instructions.
What if I have already registered for the NASPA Conferences on Student Success in Higher Education and/or pre-conference workshops?
Please connect with your Expert Guide and we will be in touch with any additional information we may need.
I would like to register for the NASPA Conferences on Student Success in Higher Education. Should I do that now or wait?
Please complete the Participation Form. Once we have received this, we will send you instructions on registering for the conference using a unique registration code. Please do not register for the conference until you receive further instructions from FirstGen Forward.
Schedule
Is there an agenda for the Network Champion Convening?
A detailed schedule will be shared on this page. We will notify you when this becomes available.
Participation
How do I register for the Network Champion Convening?
Network Champion Convening participants register their intention to attend by completing the Participation Form.
Participants attending the conference will need to register separately for the conference. You will be provided a unique registration code to complete registration. Please do not register for the conference until you receive further instructions from FirstGen Forward.
Some members of our Leadership Team can’t attend—who should we send?
Please work with your Leadership Team to determine who is best positioned to participate in the Network Champion Convening and represent your institution’s goals and interests. Your Expert Guide can also support you in thinking through this; we recommend discussing your plans with them.
Will there be a virtual option for the Network Champion Convening?
Unfortunately, we are unable to provide a virtual option this year.
What else do I need to know?
For now, please focus on identifying your participants and completing your Participation Form. We are working diligently to finalize plans and will communicate frequently. We will release more schedule details as soon as possible, too. Thank you for your patience! Please email Network@firstgenforward.org with any additional questions.
Contact us!
Thank you for your time and commitment to first-generation student success. Please contact Network@firstgenforward.org should you have any questions.