FirstGen Forward - College Completion Grant

FirstGen Forward College Completion Grant

Funder: Woodward Hines Education Foundation (WHEF)

Amount: $1,500,000

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