University of Texas Permian Basin has been recognized for its work with first-generation students.
The Center for First-generation Student Success, an initiative of NASPA – Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education and The Suder Foundation, recently announced the 2022-23 First-gen Forward cohort including UTPB.
The First-gen Forward designation recognizes institutions of higher education who have demonstrated a commitment to improving experiences and advancing outcomes of first-generation college students. Selected institutions receive professional development, community-building experiences, and a first look at the Center’s research and resources, a news release said.
Diana Ortiz, director of the Student Belonging and Inclusion Center at UTPB, said they were accepted as a cohort.
The Center for First-Generation Success website detailed that “being a first-gen student means that your parents did not complete a four-year college or university degree.”
The site adds that some colleges and universities use a different definition, so students should ask their admissions counselor, academic advisor, or a faculty member to learn more.
“We have the opportunity to be able to partner with institutions across the nation, to be able to not just share what we do here at UTPB for our first-gen students, but also to see what other institutions are doing,” Ortiz said.
“It’s all research-based … so there is a commitment from us. We have to attend certain workshops. We have to attend certain conferences and certain meetings to make it work and for us to be consistent and maintain the goals that the actual center has for us,” Ortiz said.
She added that Vice President of Student Affairs and Leadership Becky Spurlock encouraged them to apply for the cohort. The designation provides networking and resource support.
Ortiz said they will start professional development in the summer.
Space for the Student Belonging and Inclusion Center is being renovated at the Student Activity Center.
Ortiz and Miranda noted that they are not only supporting the students, but the parents to help them make their way through college.
In March, UTPB announced Falcon Free in an effort to increase access to higher education.
The plan covers the cost of tuition and mandatory fees for students who have limited family resources to pay for college, its website said.
Falcon Free will cover tuition and mandatory fees (up to 15 credit hours for the fall and spring semesters only) for first-time undergraduate degree-seeking undergraduate Texas residents that have a family adjusted gross income that does not exceed $100,000, and who are enrolled full time (12 hours or more each semester), the site said.
This opportunity is provided until funding is exhausted, the site said.
“It was just perfect timing (in) the sense that we had submitted this application last semester … and then Falcon Free came in and we were like, wow, this is just going to help with the efforts of our first-gen students and their financial needs …,” Ortiz said.
She added that part of what they discuss is the hardships students face and financial distress is one of them.
“Through Falcon Free, that’s really going to help them because they would pretty much be graduating, you know, with little to no debt. We’re here to help and guide them in that sense. But of course, there are also other factors that our first-gen students face …,” Ortiz added.
Yaminah Miranda, director of the Student Retention Office, said students may not know about the resources that are available on campus.
Ortiz said being the first in their families, the students don’t have any frame of reference.
“It’s all very uncertain … It’s a sense of fear for them, as well. …,” she said.
Sometimes this happens when students don’t know who they can turn to or talk to about college.
Ortiz added that she hopes all UTPB faculty and staff are a resource for students.
Miranda said there is a semester-long seminar for first year students where they’re provided with information about resources on campus and they’re able to ask questions.
She added that this is a way of helping to retain students.
Ortiz said the seminar also is a way for students to network.
She noted that the class and services have been offered for a while, but she doesn’t think the students have been made aware of them.
Having the one-stop center at the Student Activity Center will give students a place to start with resources and help, Miranda said.
Both Ortiz and Miranda were first-generation college students.
“This is something that’s really important for them because we know the struggles; we’ve experienced them. Granted, it’s very different from us being undergrad to now so many things have changed. But I think a lot of it has stayed the same, which is that sense of ‘Am I going to be okay? Where do I start? How do I do that?’ And so we want to be that net that catches them and lets them know, Hey, we’re here for you. You belong. We want you here,” Ortiz said. “How can we help maintain that … relationship? And also what can we do to make sure that you feel that as well,” Ortiz said.
Miranda said she thinks it’s important for first-generation students to feel like they can ask any questions.
Sometimes students don’t know what the Free Application for Federal Student Aid is.
Ortiz said there are various scholarships available for first-generation students.
“But also when it comes to financial aid that is a process that we ask all of our students to do immediately. Why? Because they do not know how they could be financially assisted. A lot of them want to avoid it, because it’s a lot of paperwork. It’s a lot of terminology that they’re like, Oh, I really don’t want to have to deal with it. But most of the time, not only do they get financial assistance, but they also gain grants. So for example, not only do we have like the UTPB grant, but we have like the Falcon Free now …,” Ortiz said.
