Network Member
Beginning your Network journey
Network Member institutions commit to building a foundational understanding of first-generation student success through participation in monthly workshops, networking and professional development opportunities, sharing knowledge and resources, and contributing to a peer community.
An institution may advance to the next phase, Network Leader, upon successful completion of the Network Member requirements over the course of a year. By joining the Network, your institution is making a commitment to advancing first-generation outcomes with the goal of becoming a Network Champion.
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.
Benefits of Participation
Through Network Membership connections, institutions have:
Network Members gain exclusive access to:
Network Member Eligibility
Each phase of the Network has unique eligibility and programmatic requirements. Eligibility to join remain engaged as a Network Member include:
1. Be an active, accredited, two-year or four-year institution of higher education located within the United States;
2. Secure cabinet-level leadership support and commitment to participation;
3. Designate a minimum of two currently employed faculty and/or staff, plus at least one senior leader, to serve as the institution leadership team (additional faculty/staff are welcome to participate in programming); and
4. Commit to fulfilling the items outlined in the Required Experiences.
Required Experiences
The following are the Network Member requirements for institutions in their first year of Network participation.
| Set annual goals (established in institution’s Network Member Application) |
Attend the Virtual Network Member Onboarding Meeting (June 2026) |
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Hold a First-generation College Celebration (recommended to be held in tandem with First-Generation College Celebration on November 8, but it can be held any time of year) |
| Attend at least three (3) Network Member Class of 2026 meetings (held every other month beginning August 2026: August (*Kick-off, required); October, December, February, April | Attend at least two (2) Regional Community Meetings (held every other month beginning September 2026: September, November, January, March, May) |
| Complete a minimum of one (1) Network Learning & Development Opportunity | Complete the Annual Report by August 2027 (shared in April/May 2027) |
Associated Cost
Please note: there is no application cost or annual fee to become a Network Member. The only costs associated with the Network Member experience include those related to learning and development requirements.
Learning and Development 2025-2026 Options
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How to Join
Join the FirstGen Forward Network
To join the FirstGen Forward Network, you will apply using the Network Member Application. The application is a diagnostic tool designed to gather valuable data on how your institution serves first-generation students.