UM-Flint recognized for commitment to first-generation students

For many first-generation college students, the path to a college degree begins with stepping into the unknown. From understanding financial aid and selecting classes to finding support and building a sense of belonging, they may be navigating the unfamiliar without the benefit of family members who have taken the journey before them.

At the University of Michigan-Flint, helping students move beyond those barriers—and toward confidence, connection and success—is a campuswide priority. That commitment has earned UM-Flint selection as a member of the FirstGen Forward Network Class of 2026, recognizing the university's demonstrated efforts to improve the experiences and outcomes of first-generation college students.

"Joining the FirstGen Forward Network shows that UM-Flint is serious about supporting first-generation students. The network connects us with best practices and ideas from universities across the country so we can build a sustainable foundation to engage students," said John Girdwood, program manager for the Office of Educational Opportunity Initiatives. "We are building a community of first-generation scholars that will share resources and build confidence together. When you start with community, everything else follows."

EOI and The Student Success Center are working together to expand programming, resources and connections for first-generation students across campus.

"This work is personal to me because I was a first-generation college student myself. I had to learn as I went. That experience has stayed with me throughout my career and shapes how I work with students today," said Roy Shavers, academic success specialist. 

"Joining the FirstGen Forward Network gives UM-Flint an opportunity to be even more intentional about helping students know they belong here, that they do not have to figure everything out alone, and that people and resources across campus are committed to their success."

The FirstGen Forward Network provides a three-phase approach — network member, network leader, and network champion — to scaling holistic first-generation student success by engaging and empowering higher education institutions to transform the first-generation student experience, advance academic and cocurricular outcomes, and build more inclusive institutional structures. With the new class, the network is comprised of more than 500 institutions, including two statewide systems, representing 48 states and the District of Columbia.

"We are excited to welcome UM-Flint to the FirstGen Forward Network," said Martina Martin, vice president at FirstGen Forward. "Throughout the application process, UM-Flint demonstrated a clear commitment to advancing success for first-generation students—backed by a willingness to align strategy, data, and campuswide efforts for long-term impact. Their leadership reflects a meaningful investment in creating the conditions where first-generation students can thrive."

As a network member, UM-Flint's faculty and staff are afforded opportunities to engage with peer institutions also working to create environments that improve the experiences and success of first-generation students, and will participate in monthly calls, professional development, goal setting, blog development, annual reporting, and more.

Institutions may progress to the network leader phase, which includes an evidence-based framework of actionable priorities, workshops, diagnostic tools, national data-sharing opportunities and expert coaching. The program's final phase recognizes institutions that demonstrate national leadership as network champions.

"There is nothing quite like seeing a new generation of institutions step into this network with purpose and passion," said Stephanie Bannister, president of FirstGen Forward. "FirstGen Forward exists because we believe institutions are strongest when they learn alongside one another—sharing evidence-based practices, working through challenges together, and advancing first-generation student success at scale. UM-Flint is joining a community of practitioners doing exactly that, and the Class of 2026 represents a remarkable groundswell of energy and commitment. I know UM-Flint will be a meaningful contributor to what we build together."

All UM-Flint first-generation students are invited to connect with faculty, staff and fellow students during a First-Generation Lunch & Learn Panel, noon-1:30 p.m., Sept. 24, in 115 UCEN. Hosted by the Intercultural Center, Student Success Center and Educational Opportunity Initiatives.

The panel will feature UM-Flint faculty, staff and students sharing their first-generation journeys, lessons learned and insights for navigating college and building a successful academic and professional path. Students can also learn about first-generation initiatives and resources available across campus, meet people who understand their experiences and build connections for continued support.

To learn more about first-generation efforts at UM-Flint, visit the First Gen Success page.