What is the UI First-Generation Task Force?
NASPA Center for First-Generation Student Success Blog, October 2018
"Grassroots Mobilization of Faculty and Staff to Support and Celebrate First-Generation Students"
Want to learn more about the 1stGen@Iowa campus-wide initiative to support and celebrate first-generation students? Click here for more information.
Leadership and Membership
Tanya Uden-Holman, Associate Provost for Undergraduate Education and Dean of the University College, and Wayne Jacobson, Director of Assessment, are co-directors of the First-Generation Task Force. Angela Lamb, Assistant Director of Academic Support and Retention serves as the group's functional lead and coordinates the task force's 1stGen@Iowa efforts.
Current members of the task force include:
| Amy J. Korthank | CLAS Administration |
| Amy L. Baumgartner | Residence Education |
| Andrew Beckett | University College |
| Angela J. Ward | Distance and Online Education |
| Angela Lamb | University College |
| Angi McKie | Career Center |
| Anna L. B. Flaming | Office of Teaching, Learning & Technology Center for Teaching |
| Ashley Wells | Department of Rhetoric |
| Benjamin J. Hassman | Department of Rhetoric |
| Blaine Greteman | Department of English |
| Bret A. Gothe | Student Life |
| Carolyn Colvin | Teaching & Learning |
| Chandler M. Easley | Student Athlete Academic Services |
| Cody M. Pritchard | Center for Diversity & Enrichment |
| Cynthia S. Seyfer | Student Financial Aid |
| Dana L. Thomann | Department of Rhetoric |
| David A. Johnson | Office of the Registrar |
| Diane M. Crosby | Academic Advising Center |
| Erin F. Barnes | Rehabilitation & Counselor Education |
| Gabriela Rivera | Undergraduate Program Office, Tippie College of Business |
| James A. Ankrum | Biomedical Engineering |
| Jane M. Dorman | Engineering Administration GE |
| Jeffrey R. Hart | Department of Finance |
| Jenay Solomon | Library Administration & Gen |
| Karen Torno Fashimpaur | CLAS Administration |
| Katherine L. McCullough | Diversity Equity and Inclusion |
| Kathryn M. Stoltenberg | Office of the Registrar |
| Lauren R. Garcia | College of Pharmacy |
| Linda M. Varvel | Women in Science & Engineering |
| Lisa M. Ingram | Academic Advising Center |
| Lucas Halvorson | University of Iowa Student Government |
| Maggy Tomova | Department of Mathematics |
| Margaret L. Chorazy | Public Health Administration |
| Martha C. Kirby | CLAS Administration |
| Mary Aldugom | Psychological and Brain Sciences |
| Matthew K. Anson | Office of Assessment |
| Matthew T. Miller | Center for Diversity & Enrichment |
| Mirra L. Anson | University College |
| Noel Mills | College of Liberal Arts and Sciences |
| Patrick Rossmann | Student Health and Wellness |
| Sabrina E. Tapps-Fee | Office of Admissions |
| Sara Nasrollahian Mojarad | Office of Teaching, Learning & Technology Center for Teaching |
| Shaun P. Vecera | Psychological and Brain Sciences |
| Tabitha N. Wiggins | Multicultural & International Program |
| Tanya M. Uden-Holman | Provost Administration |
| Wayne Jacobson | Office of the Provost |
History
In the past, the University of Iowa has not had integrated campus-wide oversight and direction for coordinating first-generation student initiatives throughout campus, identifying unmet needs, selecting areas for further collaboration, disseminating lessons learned, or advocating for policies and practices that support these students. However, given that nearly a quarter of undergraduate students at the University of Iowa identify as first-generation, the need for such guidance has become increasingly apparent. As a result, the First-Generation Task Force was created to serve some of these functions.
The First-Gen Task Force was convened in Spring 2017, to follow-up on initial recommendations of the 2016 Student Success Task Force and to further examine ways the institution can better support first-generation students. The Task Force was also specifically charged with considering the unique roles of faculty and staff in supporting the academic success of students with whom they work.
Task-Force Accomplishments
The Task Force began its work by reviewing literature- sharing research and best practices related to supporting first-generation students among its members- and assembling current institutional data. Because the Task Force meets only a few times throughout each semester, much of its work is done through smaller working groups that are assigned a specific task to complete and bring back to the larger group. As of October 2018, the working groups have so far:
- Developed a handout that distills current research and institutional data and provides a brief introduction to the campus community on first-generation student concerns.
- Created a template for area-specific action steps (for example, for faculty, advisors, or administrators).
- Entered a partnership with the UI Undergraduate Student Government to host a now annual "I'm the First" First-Generation Summit.
- Discussed plans for networking and mentoring opportunities that involve students, faculty, staff, and potentially, alumni.
- Initiated conversations on strategic dissemination of a cohesive, data-informed message to faculty and staff through trainings and purposeful discussions that will create systematic institutional change.
- Created a website designed to serve as a faculty and staff-facing campus hub of materials that includes critical information and a comprehensive listing of current Task Force events and initiatives.
- Collaborated with UI Marketing & Design to create a “1stGen@Iowa” logo and branding identity of the institutional initiative that seeks to inform and educate the campus community, support first-generation students in their academic and career endeavors, and ensure that students ultimately succeed at the University of Iowa.
- Led efforts to participate in the annual National First-Generation College Celebration through a week-long, campus-wide series of events every November.
- Launched plans to recognize and celebrate first-generation students and advocates in an annual First-Generation Award and Recognition ceremony (inaugural event will be held in November 2019).
- Worked to increase awareness of and celebrate the first-generation identity on campus through various campus initiatives.
- Created the "1stGen@Iowa Celebration Day" t-shirt distribution and coordinated efforts for all t-shirt owners to wear their shirts on the first Thursday of the fall semester, which also coincides with CDE's Community of Color Day.
- Partnered with Residence Education and Rhetoric to bring back the First-Gen LLC and helped with programming elements.
- Earned a First Forward designation, which recognizes institutions of higher education across the country that have demonstrated a commitment to improving experiences and advancing outcomes for first-generation college students.