The Center for First-Generation Student Success has named Penn State a “First-Gen Forward” school by recognizing the university’s commitment to supporting first-generation college students.

Selected schools will receive professional development, community-building opportunities, and the use of the center’s resources. The Center for First-Generation Student Success launched in 2019 and has been an integral part of Penn State’s mission to help its first-generation students.

“First-generation” is a reference to any student in the undergraduate program whose parents or legal guardians have not completed a full bachelor’s degree. According to Penn State records, there were over 16,000 first-generation undergraduate students enrolled at the university last fall.

The director of Penn State’s Student Success Center, Denise Poole, spoke about what it means for the university to be recognized as a First-Gen Forward school.

“We are thrilled to receive this national recognition of the University’s collective efforts to advance first-generation student success,” Poole said in a release. “Penn State’s designation as a First-Gen Forward institution will also energize our work by enabling us to collaborate with and learn from peer institutions across the nation.”

With its new designation as a First-Gen Forward institution, Penn State will now have more opportunities to engage with peer schools to improve its environment for first-generation students. After two years in the program, Penn State will then be eligible for a more prestigious leadership designation.