Illinois ranked as First-Gen Forward Institute in 2022-23 Cohort

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First-gen Forward

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has been designated as a First-gen Forward Institution by the Center for First-generation Student Success, a partner initiative between NASPA (Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education) and The Suder Foundation. This initiative is the nation’s first effort to recognize higher education institutions for their commitment to first-gen student success. 

Illinois is one of 53 institutions which have been designated the title in the First-gen Forward 2022-23 cohort. Currently, there are 268 First-gen Forward institutions across three #FirstgenForward cohorts, which represent a number of professionals dedicated to troubleshooting the challenges, creating knowledge, and aiming to advance the success of first-generation students across the nation. 

The Office of Minority Student Affairs (OMSA) is one of the most robust and comprehensive support programs for domestic, minority students in the field of higher education. Established in 1968, it provides advocacy and academic support to students who identify as first-generation, low-income, and/or historically underrepresented. 

“The Office of Minority Student Affairs (OMSA) is thrilled to be recognized for its ongoing efforts to expand educational equity among our diverse population of first-generation students. My colleagues and I are excited to join this outstanding community of higher education professionals. We look forward to sharing best practices, networking, and learning about new, evidence-based strategies that we can deploy to increase success for all U of I students,” said Dominic Cobb, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Student Success, Inclusion & Belonging and former director of the Office of Minority Student Affairs (OMSA).