We believe student success is an ongoing, shared responsibility, rooted in a University-wide community of practice. Through collaboration, we strive to promote a shared commitment to student success and help strengthen the application of best practices across campus. Faculty and staff are encouraged to join in these efforts by engaging with the Center’s programs and services. For more information about opportunities to support student success, email success@psu.edu.

Academic Life Coaching Network. The Academic Life Coaching Network consists of dedicated and trained faculty and staff who are committed to helping students develop the academic and life skills necessary for success.

First-Gen Forward Advisory Council (FGAC). Penn State has earned the First-Gen Forward (FGF) designation from NASPA’s Center for First-Generation Student Success, joining a cohort of institutions committed to advancing the success of first-generation students. Led by the Chaiken Center for Student Success, this University-wide initiative supports first-gen students across the institution through a variety of programs and services. FGAC is composed of faculty, staff, and students, collaborates to address challenges, share best practices, and enhance advocacy and support for first-gen students.

First-Gen Student Support Summit. The First-Gen Student Support Summit brings together the Penn State community to discuss ways to empower first-gen students, foster networking, and share research and best practices aimed at enhancing their success. This collaborative event promotes a deeper understanding of the first-gen experience and strengthens support across the University.

National First-Generation College Celebration Day. Celebrated annually on November 8, Penn State joins colleges and universities across the nation in recognizing the National First-Generation College Celebration. The day aims to build community, raise awareness about the first-generation experience, and uplift the voices of students, faculty, staff, and alumni who were or will be the first in their immediate families to achieve a college degree.