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Looking to connect with our office? Contact us via e-mail and we will help connect you to the resources and programs that help you find success at MSU Denver.
Email Us!Changemakers Wanted
At MSU Denver, 59.7% of undergraduates are the first in their families to pursue a 4-year college education. First-Generation Initiatives exists to encourage and empower the Roadrunner community to embrace and celebrate these students.
As part of MSU Denver’s Classroom to Career Hub (C2Hub), First-Generation Initiatives exists help first-generation students build a strong sense of community, navigate campus resources, and access the tools that will help them find success throughout their journey as students at MSU Denver, and as future professionals in the careers they are interested in pursuing.
First-generation students find a place to belong at MSU Denver.
Connect with First-Gen Initiatives
First-Gen Instagram
Follow us on Instagram for additional ways to connect with our office, attend upcoming events, and to build community with fellow first-generation students and alumni.
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Upcoming Events
We partner with offices and orgs from across campus and in the Denver community to offer events and programs that support your connection and sense of belonging.
Join Us!NASPA FirstGen Forward Institution
In 2019, MSU Denver joined 349 institutions of higher education as part of NASPA’s First Scholars Network — now FirstGen Forward — to advance the work for first-generation student success. FirstGen Forward offers a national model for scaling holistic first-generation student success by engaging and empowering institutions of higher education to radically transform the first-generation student experience, advance academic and co-curricular outcomes, and build more inclusive institutional structures. Additionally, in 2023, MSU Denver joined 22 institutions honored for their commitment to advancing the outcomes of first-gen students on NASPA’s First Scholars list.
First-Scholars Steering Committee
As MSU Denver works to build an institutional landscape that more holistically supports first-generation students, the First-Scholars Steering Committee was established to help meet this need. Comprised of students, faculty, and staff, the steering committee serves as advocates in their respective areas, develops ‘Servingness’ strategy, and engages students in programming that help us meet our mission.
Members of the First-Generation Initiatives Steering Committee serve on four subcommittees focused on data analysis and reporting, resource development and engagement, communication and awareness efforts, and development of faculty/staff ‘Servingness’ training.
Committee Members & Faculty/Staff Champions
- Madina Amiri | Current Student, MSU Denver
- Bridget Arend, Ph.D. | Associate Director of Teaching and Learning, Center for Teaching, Learning and Design
- Jeffrey Joshuah Barr | Senior Institutional Research Analyst | Institutional Research
- Kolby Bautista-Lopez | Current Student, MSU Denver
- Bridgette Coble, Ph.D. | Director of Career Engagement, C2Hub
- Nhi Dang | Associate Director of Equity & Racial Justice Programs, CMEI
- Alyson Doty | Current Student, MSU Denver
- Sarah Goldenberg | Graduate School Pathway Coordinator, Faculty Engagement & Experiential Learning
- Evan Greene | Current Student, MSU Denver
- Nahum Kisner | Assistant Vice President of Student Success, C2Hub
- Alicia Montoya | Program Coordinator for Belonging and Student Engagement, CMEI
- Imani Morning | Director for Engagement, Culture and Organizational Development, Human Resources
- Alyssa Nilemo | Deputy Chief of Activation, Auraria Higher Education Center
- Andrea Rodriguez | Assistant Director of Orientation, Orientation/Transfer & Reengagement
- Christine Sheikh, Ph.D. | Specialist, Student Academic Services
- Loretta Wahl | Assistant Dean & CESA Director, TRIO Student Support Service
- Codi Whittington | Assistant Director of Operations and Events, Faculty Engagement & Experiential Learning
These MSU Denver faculty and staff have raised their hand to showcase their support of first-generation students. Many of them navigated college as the first in their families to attend and navigate the college process.
- Tess Cononelos – Academic Affairs – I’m First-Gen
- Kaycee Gerhart – Government & External Affairs – I’m First-Gen
- Nicolette Giasolli – Biology Department – I’m First-Gen
- Deanna Hirsch – Journalism & Media Production – I’m First-Gen
- Dra. Deborah Horan – Elementary Education & Literacy – I’m First-Gen
- Alicia Montoya – Center for Multicultural Engagement and Inclusion – I’m First-Gen
- April Schofield – Marketing – I’m First-Gen
Contact [email protected] to connect with a potential faculty or staff mentor.
The Roadrunner Community is Key to supporting First-Gen Students
Alumni, Faculty, and Staff can support our work!
Helping first-generation students find success is a campus-wide effort. With your support, we can help more first-gen students engage with the MSU Denver community and find success. Are you looking for ways to get involved? Here’s how:
- Invite students to attend campus events. – Upcoming Events
- Get Informed with research on best practices – FirstGenForward
- Share resources with first-generation students. – Resource List
- Attend a faculty/staff ‘Servingness’ training. – E-mail Us
- Add Your Name to our Faculty & Staff Directory. – Join the List!
- Join our First-Gen Alumni volunteer list. – Click the link below!
Want to make a Big Impact?
Support our work with a financial contribution and make a real impact on our ability to support and engage first-generation students through programming and engagement work.
Give to First-Generation Initiatives
To make your gift:
- Click the link below,
- Select the amount of your gift,
- Select “Other” in the designation box, and
- Type First-Generation Initiative Fund in the box, and complete the remaining items on the form.
Resources & Engagement Opportunities
Let's get you connected to resources and engagement opportunities that will help you find sucess!
Explore resources and events we've sourced in support of first-generation students.
Resources and EventsConnect with our Office:
You’ll find us at events and programs across campus, but you can also find us in-person, by phone, or by e-mail.
First-Gen Initiatives is part of the C2Hub. Want to learn more and connect? Visit the C2Hub website.
Office Location:
Jordan Student Success Building | Window #2
Phone Number:
303 615-1133
Email:
[email protected]