FirstGen Forward - College Completion Grant

Duration: Five-year grant (2025-26 through 2029-30)

Geographic Scope: Mississippi (with focus on expanding to 23 institutions by 2030)

Focus Areas:

• First-generation student success
• College completion
• Systemic institutional change
• Closing the completion gap between first-generation and continuing-generation students

Background:
Nationally, first-generation students have a completion rate of 24% compared to 59% for continuing-generation students. In Mississippi, first-generation students account for more than 56% (approximately 92,000) of the 164,500+ students enrolled across the state's 32 institutions.

What It Funds:
Institutional transformation through four components:

1. Expert Guides - Coaching to institutional leadership teams
2. Data Systems - Robust data systems tracking key momentum metrics
3. Regional Learning Communities - Cross-institutional collaboration and learning
4. Advocacy Efforts - Elevating first-generation student needs in national and state-level policy discussions

Expansion Goals:

• Expand FirstGen Forward Network in Mississippi from 4 institutions to 23 by 2030
• Focus on 15 Mississippi Community College Board system institutions
• Include all Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in the state
• Build connections with local business community to support pathways to family-sustaining employment

Alignment with WHEF Goals:

• Part of WHEF's foundation pillar "Connection to Family-Sustaining Work"
• Supports WHEF's "Ascent to 55%" initiative to increase college degrees and industry-recognized credentials
• Emphasizes economic mobility through college degree completion

Contact Information:

• Jim McHale, President and CEO, WHEF
• Dr. Stephanie J. Bannister, President of FirstGen Forward
• Woodward Hines Education Foundation
• 2616 Lakeward Drive, Jackson, MS 39216
• (601) 321-5555