Presbyterian College Recognized by FirstGen Forward as National Leader in Advancing First-Generation Student Success
March 23, 2025
Presbyterian College has been recognized as a FirstGen Forward Network Champion, a national designation that honors institutions committed to supporting first-generation college students.
PC is one of only 18 higher education institutions in the country selected for this year’s class, highlighting its leadership in advancing academic success and expanding resources for students who are the first in their families to attend college.
“This designation is a tremendous honor and a reflection of our unwavering commitment to first-generation students,” said PC president Dr. Anita Gustafson. “At PC, we believe in transforming lives through education, and this recognition affirms the work we do to ensure our students have the resources, mentorship, and opportunities they need to succeed. As a college rooted in the values of service and community, we are proud to lead the way in fostering a future where every student, regardless of background, can achieve their highest potential.”
Dr. Selena Blair, the Rogers-Ingram Vice President for Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion at PC, expressed gratitude for the collective effort that led to this recognition.
“Becoming a FirstGen Forward Network Champion is a testament to the dedication of our faculty, staff, and students who work tirelessly to support and uplift first-generation students at Presbyterian College,” Blair said. “I am especially grateful to Dr. Joleesa Royal, our FirstGen Leadership Team, the FirstGen Steering Committee members, as well as every campus and community partner for their commitment to fostering an environment where every student has the opportunity to succeed. Our shared mission is affirmed by this recognition and I look forward to continuing this important work together.”
Network Champion institutions are an exclusive group serving as national leaders in advancing first-generation efforts and contributing to an important knowledge base of evidence-based practices, leadership engagement, and scaling student supports.
The FirstGen Forward Network provides a three-phase approach—Network Member, Network Leader, and Network Champion—to scaling holistic first-generation student success by engaging and empowering higher education institutions to transform the first-generation student experience, advance academic and co-curricular outcomes, and build more inclusive institutional structures. To date, 429 institutions of higher education, including two statewide systems, have entered the Network, representing 49 states and the District of Columbia.
Dr. Stephanie J. Bannister, vice president of FirstGen Forward, praised PC’s leadership in first-generation student success.
“As one of only 32 institutions in the country to have been recognized as a Network Champion, Presbyterian College has displayed a commitment to actively adopting the continuous improvement model and aligning efforts with institutional priorities to guide first-generation students to completion,” Bannister said. “Not only is Presbyterian College doing excellent work to support its own first-generation students, but it continues to provide support and add to evidence-based practices that serve as a model for others working in higher education.”
While movement to this phase signals an important progression, Network Champions remain actively involved and committed to continuous improvement principles while emphasizing institution-focused strategic priorities to improve first-generation students’ experiences and completion rates.
FirstGen Forward CEO Maurice Jones emphasized the long-term impact of institutions like Presbyterian College in shaping opportunities for first-generation students.
“With 54 percent of current undergraduate students identifying as first-generation, achieving unprecedented FirstGen student success will have a life-changing impact across generations, as college completion is a significant contributor to education, workforce, and life success for the families of graduates,” Jones said. “To be named a Network Champion is an honor and a testament to the work of Presbyterian College–evidence that it is a national leader in this area, and a role model for the field for years to come.”
To learn more about first-generation efforts at Presbyterian College, visit Presby First+. To learn more about FirstGen Forward and the Network, visit firstgenforward.org.
