First-Generation Initiatives

At MSU Denver, 59.7% of undergraduates are the first in their families to pursue a 4-year college education. First-Generation Initiatives exists to encourage and empower the Roadrunner community to embrace and celebrate these students.  

As part of MSU Denver’s Classroom to Career Hub (C2Hub), First-Generation Initiatives exists help first-generation students build a strong sense of community, navigate campus resources, and access the tools that will help them find success throughout their journey as students at MSU Denver, and as future professionals in the careers they are interested in pursuing.

In 2019, MSU Denver joined 349 institutions of higher education as part of NASPA’s First Scholars Network — now FirstGen Forward — to advance the work for first-generation student success. FirstGen Forward offers a national model for scaling holistic first-generation student success by engaging and empowering institutions of higher education to radically transform the first-generation student experience, advance academic and co-curricular outcomes, and build more inclusive institutional structures. Additionally, in 2023, MSU Denver joined 22 institutions honored for their commitment to advancing the outcomes of first-gen students on NASPA’s First Scholars list.  

On August 7, 2024, the Colorado HB24-1082 goes into effect.
Learn more and read the bill focused on our upcoming designation as a First-Generation Serving Institution through the State of Colorado.

As the First-Gen Initiatives team, Chris and Kolby have the following outlined objectives:  

• Improvement of persistence and graduation rates specifically for first-generation students. 
• Development of academic identity, student self-concept, and leadership identity for first-generation students. 
• Provide education and training on MSU Denver’s definition of first-generation and the first-generation student college experience. 
• Assist the university in accomplishing measures that strategically further the success of first-generation students on our campus.  

As MSU Denver works to build an institutional landscape that more holistically supports first-generation students, the First-Scholars Steering Committee was established to help meet this need. Comprised of students, faculty, and staff, the steering committee serves as advocates in their respective areas, develops ‘Servingness’ strategy, and engages students in programming that help us meet our mission.

Members of the First-Generation Initiatives Steering Committee serve on four subcommittees focused on data analysis and reporting, resource development and engagement, communication and awareness efforts, and development of faculty/staff ‘Servingness’ training. 

Support our work with a financial contribution and make a real impact on our ability to support and engage first-generation students through programming and engagement work.