In August 2024, UNH was welcomed into the FirstGen Forward Network. Being a part of the FG Network cements our commitment to serving first-generation college students and provides UNH with a vast network of higher education institutions across the country with the same goal.
One out of every five undergraduate students on the Durham campus is first-generation college. That number is even higher at the College of Professional Studies. Being first in one’s family to earn a bachelor's degree means something different to each person and is only one facet of their identity---many students don’t even realize that they are first-generation college, or may not strongly identify with it, and that’s okay, too. At UNH we embrace the whole student, and we want to ensure that every student on campus feels comfortable, valued, and has all the tools to thrive and reach their academic, personal, and professional goals. First-generation college students sometimes don’t have the same social network or college culture knowledge that continuing-generation college students have. We want to make sure that every student is confident about starting college and learns about all the resources and opportunities available to them as they go through their UNH journey.
FG Forward Network Goals 2024-2025
By the end of the 2024-2025 academic year, develop an expanded definition of first-generation college student to capture the greatest number of students having that first-gen experience.
Establish a chapter of the Tri-Alpha Honor Society for First-Generation College students at UNH to acknowledge high-achieving first-gen students.
Through cross-campus collaboration, devise a communication campaign and programming on each distinctive campus to promote Financial Literacy Awareness Month in April 2025.
All of the 2024-2025 goals were completed!
1. The new definition of a first-generation college student to be adopted across USNH is:
(a) A student neither of whose natural or adoptive parents received a baccalaureate (bachelor’s) degree from an institution in the U.S. or Canada
(b) A student who, prior to the age of 18, regularly resided with and received support from only one parent and whose supporting parent did not receive a baccalaureate
(c) An individual who, prior to the age of 18, did not regularly reside with or receive financial support from a natural or an adoptive parent.
This definition will be included on the Fall 2026 Application for Admission and the three explanations will be in a pop-up box or appear when hovering over “We define…” The question then will be “Given this definition, are you a first-generation college applicant?” "Yes/No"
2. UNH has the first chapters of the Tri-Alpha Honor Society established in New Hampshire! The Durham chapter is Lambda Omega and the College for Professional Studies chapter is Mu Theta.
3. Financial Literacy Month continues to be a collaborative effort across campuses involving UNH Libraries, Basic Needs Office, Health & Wellness, Student Financial Services, and the Institute for Student Success. It includes a Library display, disseminated posters, and presentations to departments, student orgs, and others upon request.
Our 2025-2026 Goals
Explore and identify successful models of a voluntary mentoring program between first-generation staff/faculty or allies with first-generation college students so that we may design a program at UNH within our human and financial capacity for hopeful rollout in 2026-2027.
Provide at least one faculty/staff professional development event each semester on a first-gen topic that is geared toward a specific audience and provided in a way that is accessible regardless of campus or modality: a mix of in-person/hybrid/fully online.
To more intentionally integrate first-generation college student data into broad student success measures at the institutional level.
