Center for Faculty Excellence Podcast

  • Mackenzie Spence, M.Ed. sat down with the Center for Faculty Excellence to chat about First-Generation College Students at Montana State University and what they want staff and faculty to know in this 13 minute podcast.

FirstGen Forward

  • Did you know Montana State is a FirstGen Forward Network Institution? FirstGen Forward has a ton of data, insights, and research around First-Gen student success, best practices, and advocacy. They also frequently provide professional development opportunities.

Supporting First-Gen College Students at MSU Training

  • In this workshop participants will learn what first-generation college student (FGCS) actually means as well as current national and local trends and best practices to better support FGCS at MSU. A student panel of FGCS will provide an opportunity to hear and learn directly about student experiences. Participants will leave this workshop with a better understanding of who FGCS are and their experiences as well as how to best serve them in their roles at MSU. Once this training is complete, staff and faculty have the opportunity to be added to the First-Gen Advocate directory if interested. To register for the training on November 4th from 1pm - 4pm, please visit the Cultural Bridges Program website.

Journal for First-Generation Student Success

  • Available for free through the MSU library, the Journal of First-Generation Student Success joins other publications of NASPA. The Journal seeks to publish practice articles that are grounded in research and literature and, reciprocally, research articles that speak to practice. While traditional scholarship will be encouraged and accepted, articles that prioritize innovative solutions and advanced thought that disputes deficit-based conversations while propelling an asset-based, evidence-driven national narrative, are welcome.

Reading List

Syllabus Language

  • Do you want to include a short statement in your syllabus about First-Generation College Students? Here is a short support statement you can include:
    "Navigating college life can come with unique challenges, and the university has multiple support programs to meet them. As a First-Generation college student, you are part of the community of Bobcats who are forging their own path at Montana State University and becoming the first in their family to earn a Bachelor’s degree. My goal is to help you be successful and to find the support and guidance you may need to become a First-Gen graduate."

TRIO SSS

  • TRIO Student Support Service is a grant based program at MSU that is dedicated to helping students thrive in higher education through innovative programs and services. They offer a variety of resources to their students such as book loans, research opportunities, free printing and tutoring, success advising in all fields, and much more. TRIO accepts applications through their website from January to June for the following academic year. If you have a student that you think could benefit from being a TRIO Scholar, fill out the TRIO SSS Referral Form.

WebEx Backgrounds

Staff and Faculty First-Gen Honor Cord Request

  • If you are a staff or faculty member that is first-gen, fill out the following form to request the Montana State First-Gen Honor Cord to display in your office and wear to commencement. 

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