UAF alumni and students team up to support first gen fund
Theresa Bakker
907-474-7081
Nov. 4, 2021
Victoria Smith, director of Student Support Services, and Ronnie Houchin, associate director for student engagement, celebrate UAF’s designation in spring 2020 as a First-gen Forward Institution.
The UAF Alumni Association is encouraging donations to support first-generation students during the online UA Giving Day event Nov. 9-10.
The UAF First Gen Support Fund was started with a gift from UAFAA and matched by the Associated Students of the University of Alaska Fairbanks. The nonprofit UAFAA is sponsoring a Giving Day challenge to encourage donations to the new fund.
UAF has a high proportion of first-generation college students — more than half of UAF undergraduates are the first in their family to seek a college degree. These students can struggle to find a sense of belonging and sometimes lack the social and cultural capital to successfully navigate the university system.
Claire Swanson, UAF’s First-Generation Student Success Program graduate assistant, said the financial support raised during Giving Day will allow for more programming for these students.
“We hope to develop a semesterly scholarship to provide much-needed assistance to those who are the first in their families to pursue higher education," she said. "Our purpose is to bridge the gap for first-generation students at UAF and invite them into a supportive community that will help them feel less isolated and enable them to grow a sense of belonging."
The Center for First-Generation Student Success has recognized UAF as a First-gen Forward institution because of its commitment to improving experiences and advancing outcomes for first-generation college students. UAF is the only university in Alaska to achieve this honor and joins an elite group of just 215 universities nationwide.
Swanson said the UAF First-Generation Student Success Program continues to expand with academic support for students as well as social and cultural opportunities. The funding will help accelerate the First-Gen Mentorship Program and lead more of UAF's first-generation students to sign up for benefits.
When first-gen students have access to direct mentorship, programming and scholarships, the results are immediate. At UAF, Student Support Services has seen graduation rates double with the implementation of similar services for baccalaureate students who are both first-gen and low income. These types of programs send a message that students are valued, while also providing the support they need to graduate.
UAF is recognizing the National First-Generation College Celebration the week of Nov. 8. The event honors the anniversary of the signing of the Higher Education Act of 1965, legislation intended to offer support to those from minority and low-income backgrounds. UAF is offering a weeklong series of events to celebrate first-generation students, faculty and staff, including an opportunity to count down the final hours of Giving Day with special challenges and activities during the Social Power Hour event on Nov. 10 from 5-7 p.m. at The Pub.
Ronnie Houchin, associate director in the Center for Student Engagement, is thankful for the opportunity to collaborate with the UAF Alumni Association.
“As a first-gen college student myself, I know firsthand the challenges our students face," he said. "Being able to partner with our amazing alums to uplift and support first-gen students is incredibly meaningful to me. I hope that others will join me, along with the UAF Alumni Association and ASUAF, in giving to the UAF First Gen Support Fund during Giving Day during National First-Generation College Celebration week.”
The UAF First-Generation Student Success Program is a collaboration between the Graduate School, Center for Student Engagement and Division of General Studies, and Student Support Services.