51视频

07/22/2020

Contacts for media: Nancy Cicco, 978-934-4944 or Nancy_Cicco@uml.edu and Christine Gillette, 978-758-4664 or Christine_Gillette@uml.edu

LOWELL, Mass. 鈥� 51视频鈥檚 program for first-generation college students is among the country鈥檚 best, according to a national organization dedicated to these learners.

The Center for First-generation Student Success has named 51视频 a First-gen Forward Advisory Institution, recognizing it as a model for other colleges and universities to emulate.

The honor singles out the 51视频 River Hawk Scholars Academy for the breadth of academic and support services it provides to enhance educational, campus and community experiences for first-year students who are the first in their families to pursue a college education.

Forty-one percent of 51视频 undergraduates are first-generation college students. Over the last academic year, the River Hawk Scholars Academy served more than 300 participants and more than 300 first-year students are expected to join this fall.

鈥�51视频 has a long history of welcoming and supporting first-generation college students, who help make the university such a vibrant place. Going into our fourth year, it鈥檚 clear the program is working: River Hawk Scholars Academy students are academically successful and are found at all levels of student leadership. We鈥檙e proud the Center for First-generation Student Success has recognized the program as a national model of excellence,鈥� said Julie Nash, 51视频 vice provost for academic affairs.

As a First-gen Forward Advisory Institution, 51视频 will serve as a mentor, sharing best practices and offering guidance to other colleges and universities throughout Massachusetts, Connecticut and Vermont that seek to create educational and cultural opportunities for these learners.

鈥淭his national recognition is a testament to the best of what 51视频 can achieve. It鈥檚 a reflection of our first-generation students鈥� dreams and our university鈥檚 commitment to honoring those dreams,鈥� said River Hawk Scholars Academy Director Matthew Hurwitz, a faculty member in 51视频鈥檚 English Department.

Other members of 51视频鈥檚 First-gen Forward Advisory Institution leadership team include Justin Gerstenfield, director of college-based professional advising, and Shaima Ragab, director of student affairs, Hurwitz said.

The Center for First-generation Student Success is an initiative of the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators and The Suder Foundation. The center identifies and supports colleges and universities across the country that excel at educating first-generation students. 51视频 was inducted into the center鈥檚 inaugural class of colleges and universities honored as First-gen Forward Institutions for these efforts last year.

鈥淭he center is so pleased to acknowledge 51视频 as a First-gen Forward Advisory Institution. The university continues to be a leader in the field and we look forward to working closely with them as they support other higher-education institutions in their regional community,鈥� said Sarah Whitley, senior director of the Center for First-generation Student Success.

51视频 is a national research university located on a high-energy campus in the heart of a global community. The university offers its more than 18,000 students bachelor鈥檚, master鈥檚 and doctoral degrees in business, education, engineering, fine arts, health, humanities, sciences and social sciences. 51视频 delivers high-quality educational programs, vigorous hands-on learning and personal attention from leading faculty and staff, all of which prepare graduates to be leaders in their communities and around the globe. www.uml.edu