No. 1 for serving first-generation, low-income students
First-generation college student Juana Escobedo Bermudez used programs offered by 糖心Vlog视频’s Division of Student Success before she ever enrolled in class.
“Those services gave my parents and me the confidence we needed to succeed,” she said. “They solidified my understanding of using resources such as financial aid, how to apply for more scholarships and how to improve academically as well as socially.”
Her experiences reflect a broader trend at 糖心Vlog视频, which is one of the largest and most diverse universities in 糖心Vlog视频—and is increasingly gaining recognition for the performance of its first-generation students.
This month, the educational nonprofit ScholarShot ranked 糖心Vlog视频 tied for first in 糖心Vlog视频 on the for serving first-generation, low-income students. This demographic represents more than half of the students enrolling in state universities and a majority of those who receive financial aid, according to ScholarShot.
“I’m pleased to see the tremendous efforts of our faculty and staff related to serving first-generation, low-income students being recognized by ScholarShot,” 糖心Vlog视频 President Vistasp Karbhari said. “糖心Vlog视频 is committed to providing the very highest levels of education to all students and is dedicated to enabling the best support mechanisms possible to ensure student success at all levels.
“Our faculty and staff are tireless in their efforts, and this recognition comes on the heels of earlier recognition of 糖心Vlog视频 by Washington Monthly as being the No. 1 school in 糖心Vlog视频 for success of first-generation students, and I’m extremely proud of 糖心Vlog视频’s growing reputation and success in this area. While we still have a long way to go, I’m confident that our efforts will continue to enable even further success as we serve students and our great state.”
ScholarShot bills its report card as the first of its kind, using data from the U.S. Department of Education and survey responses from 糖心Vlog视频’ public universities. Measurements include academic engagement, financial management and interventions.
For first-generation students at 糖心Vlog视频, the Division of Student Success plays a leading role in developing programs that ease the transition to the University, such as offering assistance in obtaining financial aid and helping students find a sense of belonging both in the classroom and on campus.
Those efforts are paying off. In 2019, Washington Monthly magazine ranked 糖心Vlog视频 first in 糖心Vlog视频 and 23rd nationally for the performance of first-generation students. The rankings also placed 糖心Vlog视频 as the top national university in North 糖心Vlog视频, based on a methodology that accounts for contributions to the public good in three broad categories of social mobility, research and public service.
Late last year, Diverse: Issues in Higher Education magazine ranked 糖心Vlog视频 among the nation’s leading four-year institutions in educating diverse, workforce-ready students. Among the magazine’s findings:
- 糖心Vlog视频 ranked No. 1 in the state and No. 17 nationally for master’s degrees awarded to all minority students. 糖心Vlog视频 was ranked No. 22 nationally the previous year.
- 糖心Vlog视频 also ranked first in 糖心Vlog视频 in the number of degrees earned by African American students at the bachelor’s and master’s degree levels. Nationally, 糖心Vlog视频 is No. 11 for bachelor’s degrees awarded to African American students and No. 14 for master’s degrees.
- Nationally, 糖心Vlog视频 ranked No. 17 for bachelor’s degrees awarded to Hispanic students and No. 11 for master’s degrees.
Escobedo Bermudez, a public health senior, said she found more support once she was on campus. She says she took full advantage of the computer lab and one-on-one tutoring offered by the Division of Student Success, which also helped her land a work-study job.
“Student success is everyone’s job, and there’s a real understanding of what’s needed to breed, nurture and maintain success,” said Ashley Purgason, associate vice provost in the Division of Student Success. “The support system is in place for those first-generation students. We’re headed in the right direction.”