Action Item (as stated with DEI strategic plan launch in 2016)
Building on the success of initial support programs aimed at retaining first-generation undergraduate and graduate students, the university will establish a dedicated position to coordinate and grow both academic and co-curricular support for students across campus who are the first in their families to attend college.
DEI 1.0 Evaluation Update
Over the five years of DEI 1.0, the First-Generation Student Gateway collaborated with the Office of Academic Multicultural Initiatives (OAMI), the Office of New Student Programs (ONSP), the Comprehensive Studies Program (CSP), the University Career Center, and the MultiEthnic Student Affairs Office (MESA) to grow its co-curricular programming, expand its reach and enhance student awareness of resources that include:
- Trailblazing at Michigan, a virtual program introducing recently enrolled students to the First-Generation Program
- A Parent-Student Open House, community dinners and a special graduation ceremony
- A resource fair held at the beginning of each academic year
- Coffee Chats with First-Gen, career-based drop-in office hours
- First-Gen Week, featuring programs intended to increase student awareness and use of FG academic resources and services
- Support the FGCS@UM (First-Generation College Students@Michigan) student organization
- Launched a weekly newsletter to provide students with news, updates and general communications
- A highly collaborative First-Gen Council organized by student leaders to coordinate programming across campus
During DEI 1.0, FGCS@UM became a national chapter of the First-Gen/Low-Income Partnership (FLIP) and was accepted into the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators’ (NASPA) inaugural First Forward cohort. As a member of this group, the U-M is recognized as a leading university for its commitment to first-generation student success.
Responsibility: Office of Academic Multicultural Initiatives