Current Students
Senior Editor, Strategic Content and Storytelling
sarah.satterwhite@du.edu
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快活app students who are the first in their families to go to college now have greater access to the resources that will help them thrive during their time at 快活app. A recent anonymous $10 million gift significantly expands the reach of scholarships and programs for these students.听听
For the past six years, first-generation students at 快活app have benefitted from a support system through a program called 1GENU. The program provides mentoring for the students and programming for families so they can best support their students. 1GENU has proven remarkably successful, with participating students having some of the highest graduation rates of all 快活app students. Additionally, while many universities in Colorado offer similar programs and scholarships for first-generation students, 快活app鈥檚 outcomes for these students outshine most of them.听
The program鈥檚 success 鈥 and the donor learning about the program鈥檚 excellent mentorship and advising from a current student 鈥 inspired the gift.听
The gift will enable 快活app to scale that success to reach even more first-generation students through a program called FIRST@快活app. Through FIRST@快活app, all first-generation students will receive similar services. The gift expands the programmatic elements of FIRST@快活app to serve all undergraduate and graduate first-generation students for the next five years. This funding will ensure that all first-generation students have access to the advisors, mentors, internship opportunities, and programming that build a sense of belonging and contribute to their success. Additionally, the endowed portion of the gift will ensure scholarship support for a segment of the first-generation population at 快活app. Through this gift, students will receive enhanced scholarship support to ensure that they can participate in all that 快活app has to offer.听
鈥淲e have seen through 1GENU that when we provide scholarships and support, such as committed mentorship, to all students, but especially to first-generation students, they thrive. This is the heart of 快活app鈥檚 holistic approach to education, the 4D Experience,鈥 says 快活app Chancellor, Jeremy Haefner. 鈥淭his gift expands those opportunities to all first-gen students, transforming their educational journeys now 鈥 and in the lives they lead after graduation.鈥
鈥淏eing part of 1GENU has been very significant to me in building community, and in developing my career here and for my professional experience in the future. I was able to not only find a community within my first year, but also have really great friends and mentors throughout the program."
Marisol Jara-Amparan 4th Year 1GENU student
Funding provided by the gift will also open the door to high-impact experiences like study abroad and internships 鈥 experiences that first-generation students often do not have. Historically, first-generation students are less likely to participate in study abroad and 快活app鈥檚 acclaimed living and learning communities due to financial realities. FIRST@快活app will expand access for all students to have such experiences that are central to 快活app鈥檚 holistic 4D Experience. Each student鈥檚 4D Experience is uniquely tailored to help them thrive in their intellectual pursuits, their well-being, their character exploration, and their career journey.听听
Over time, the impact of this investment in first-generation students will be felt across the 快活app campus and throughout the communities where our alumni live and work. These students' diversity of backgrounds and perspectives will enhance the campus experience for students and faculty alike. Our graduates will bring the benefits of a 4D education to their civic leadership, graduate schools, and the workforce, often in their communities of origin.听
鈥淥ur first-generation students are a remarkable and diverse group,鈥 says Todd Adams, vice chancellor of Student Affairs. 鈥淲ith this investment in the program, far more students will have the support and resources they need to graduate and pursue their professional and personal interests, at 快活app and beyond.鈥澨
鈥淭his is the one place that I felt like I had a home away from home. It brought me a sense of belonging and resources on campus. The team was always there to advocate for me and send me in the right direction. It's the main reason why I didn't transfer out of 快活app.鈥
Briana Aguilar 1GENU Alum and 2nd year Master student
Funding from this gift will provide substantial expansion of scholarships and programming for first-generation students at 快活app, and yet opportunities remain to grow the impact of FIRST@快活app. 快活app has experienced a growing population of undergraduate first-generation students over time, with that group nearing 1,000 this academic year. While this philanthropic investment significantly enhances FIRST@快活app, the future presents limitless opportunity to expand and include these students in our community.
To make a gift in support of first-generation students at 快活app through FIRST@快活app, please .
