UofL recognized as national leader in first-generation student support

The University of Louisville has earned distinction as one of 14 higher education institutions selected to the inaugural class of FirstGen Forward Network Champions.

Network Champion colleges and universities are national leaders in advancing first-generation efforts and contributing to a knowledge base of evidence-based practices, leadership engagement and scaling student supports.

"UofL is becoming a magnet school for first-generation students,” said Katie Adamchik, director of student success. “Students are coming here saying they chose us because we've got such strong support for them. When we started this work at UofL, first-generation work was not institutionalized. We scaled our efforts, and we see it has positively impacted the recruitment and retention of students and created new ways to engage with UofL alumni and retirees. This work brings together the whole UofL community and makes us a leader nationally.”

UofL has been participating in the FirstGen Forward network since 2021. To date, 429 institutions of higher education, including two statewide systems, have entered the network, representing 49 states and the District of Columbia.

“Not only is the University of Louisville doing excellent work to support their own first-generation students, but they continue to provide support and add to evidence-based practices that serve as a model for all those working to support this population in higher education,” said Sarah E. Whitley, executive vice president with FirstGen Forward.

To learn more about how UofL supports first-generation students, read the fall 2023 UofL  Magazine article, ‘On Solid Ground: First-gen Cardinals get targeted support.’