The Future is First-Gen

First Scholars is an important and significant opportunity for UWO to advance our work to improve student outcomes and advance our work to support first-generation students.

Erin Grisham

Vice Chancellor for Enrollment and Student Success

The First Scholars program supports first-generation college students and enhances their ability to graduate successfully. The program is open to all undergraduate students whose parents did not attend college.

The mission of The Suder Foundation, the Center for First-Generation Student Success, and the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) is to increase the graduation rate of first-generation college students dramatically and to prepare each scholar for a life with self-awareness, success, and significance. To learn more about the national First Scholars program, visit www.firstscholars.org.

First-Generation Dashboard

This dashboard will provide information on first-generation students for UW Oshkosh for the current academic year.  Data will be updated annually. Currently in development.

%

of UWO students are the first in their family to go to college. CSSB provides support and guidance for these students to be successful in higher education.

higher education institutions including UWO advanced to the First Scholars phase of the First Scholars Network, which supports first generation efforts at higher education institutions with establishing communities of practice, gaining knowledge of resources and building peer networks.

inaugural UWO students were inducted into a chapter of Tri-Alpha, a national honor society for first-generation students, in 2022.

Explore Programs for First-generation Students

McNair Scholars Program

Our UWO McNair Scholars Program seeks to empower high-achieving, first-generation, low-income, and racially minoritized undergraduates to realize their potential by providing opportunities to develop skills and gain the experiences that will prepare them for graduate study. 

Tri-Alpha Honor Society

The Tri-Alpha chapter promotes academic excellence and provides opportunities for growth, leadership development, and community service for first-generation college students. All first-generation college students, graduate students, faculty, staff, and alumni of NAU are eligible to join the Tri-Alpha Honor Society.

TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) and SSS STEM

TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) and TRIO Student Support Services STEM (SSS STEM) is a federally funded program designed to provide academic tutoring, advising/counseling, mentoring, financial guidance, and other support services necessary for educational success.

Support UW Oshkosh first-generation students’ academic growth
and personal development by donating.