FIRST

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COMPOSED OF:

• First Scholars Program

• First Generation Living Learning Community (1GLLC)

• 1G Stories Project featured on YouTube

• First Generation Student Organization (FGSO)

• CATS Day Out

• First Generation Advisory Team

STAFF

• Matthew Deffendall, Director

• Martina Martin, First Scholars Program Coordinator

• Kelli Hutchens, Program Advisor

• Joanie Ett-Mims, Administrative Assistant

• Brandy Denton and Jennifer Doan, Student Office Assistants

• Campus partners make it possible

WHY FIRST GENERATION

• Federal definition: “Neither parent has a Bachelor’s degree”

• UK has rich history but limited scope of impact

• Student Support Services

• Robinson Scholars

• Lack the social and cultural capital to persist to graduation

• 30% of total undergraduate population

• Retained 10% less than their peers; 40% graduation rate

• Lower high school GPA’s, ACT scores, and first year UK GPA’s

FIRST SCHOLARS PROGRAM

• Founded in 2009 with seed money from The Suder Foundation

• Twenty scholars are selected each year

• Eligibility criteria:

• Kentucky resident

• Minimum 3.3 high school GPA

• Minimum ACT score of 22 or higher

• Demonstrate financial need

• Required to live on campus during the first year

FIRST SCHOLARS PROGRAM

• Holistic four year program

• Peer mentoring in the first two years

• Faculty/ professional mentor in the final two years

• Participate in social, educational and service projects each semester

• Maintain 2.5 cumulative GPA

• $5,000 annual renewable scholarship

OUTCOMES

• 100% first to second year retention rate

• 97% retention to date

• Average first semester freshmen GPA of 3.2

• Average first year GPA of 2.98

• Student Strengths Inventory used for assessment purposes

• Participation and engagement measured each term

• Measured against non-scholar applicants as a control group

SINCE FIRST SCHOLARS CAME TO UK

• Enhanced Data Collection and Tracking

• First Generation Student Organization Incorporated

• First Generation Living Learning Community Created in Fall 2011

• 42 students enrolled

• Cohorted classes, social events, study groups, and service

• 2.99 average fall GPA and 97% retention

• First generation status now a part of RA and UK 101 applications

• Education Abroad Scholarships and Financial Resources

• 1G Stories Project

NEXT STEPS

• Collaborative office space

• Expand participation in 1GLLC

• Enhanced web presence as a resource for students, parents, faculty, and staff

• Enhanced communication with parents as partners

• Increased outreach and recruitment starting in middle school

• Expand 1G stories project

• Faculty mentoring database

• Increased financial support

QUESTIONS

“We may have come on different ships, but we’re all in the same boat now.”

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.