Oklahoma State University (OSU) has been recognized by the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators’ (NASPA’s) Center for First-generation Student Success as a First-Gen Forward institution, joining the 2022-23 cohort.
The recognition comes with access to the resources and research available at the Center. OSU will send representatives to the First-Gen Forward workshop in early June, participate in monthly calls and virtual professional development. The Center will help OSU and other First-Gen Forward institutions with goal setting, annual reporting, and developing blogs to share their progress.
After spending two years in the program, institutions can apply to be designated advisory leaders in the field.
Missy Wikle, OSU assistant vice president of transition and retention, credits the institution’s Office of First Year Success, the Division of Institutional Diversity, and the academic colleges for building support for OSU’s first-generation students.
First generation student Lilee Brinlee, a sophomore at OSU majoring in zoology, said the institution has actively made sure that she feels supported.
“You’re not just a number here, you’re a person,” Brinlee said. “There are so many people here to support you, to help you find success—they want you to be here.”