Richard Bland College Advances First-generation Student Success

South Prince George, VA (April 2023) – The Center for First-generation Student Success, an initiative of NASPA and The Suder Foundation, today announced the advancement of Richard Bland College of William & Mary (RBC) to the First Scholars phase of the First Scholars Network. RBC was chosen based upon its demonstrated commitment to advancing the outcomes of first-generation students through improving both first-generation student success initiatives and institution-wide approaches.

“We are extremely honored to be selected as a First Scholars institution by the Center for First-generation Student Success,” said Debbie L. Sydow, Ph.D., President of Richard Bland College of William & Mary. “We look upon our first-generation students as change agents at RBC, both on campus and within our community. They break down barriers and often influence friends and family to take advantage of the benefits of higher education.”

Powered by the Center for First-generation Student Success, the First Scholars Network is a four-phase approach that allows institutions of higher education to advance outcomes through establishing communities of practice, gaining knowledge of resources, and establishing peer networks. More than 275 institutions of higher education have entered the Network and progressed through the second phase, First-gen Forward.

Through their outstanding commitment, Richard Bland College has been selected to join a third phase, First Scholars, that signals an unprecedented commitment to serving first-generation students. The Center recently announced a commitment to serving over 700 institutions through the Network in the next five years.

“After seeing such exciting Network progress and leadership, the Center is pleased to welcome Richard Bland College of William & Mary as a new First Scholars institution,” said Dr. Sarah E. Whitley, vice president with the Center for First-generation Student Success. “Through every step, it was evident that RBC is not only invested in serving first-generation students, but is prepared to make a long-term commitment to radically change the way first-generation students are served and to employ strategies for sustainability and scale that result in intentional impact.”

Through a phased approach designed to scaffold learning and achievement of institutions over time, First Scholarsprovides institutions with the opportunity to engage in student-centered, systemic transformation through an ecosystem of resources. Benefits of participation in First Scholars include:

• an evidence-based and research-supported framework of actionable priorities supported through monthly workshops;
• diagnostic tools providing critical institutional insight;
• robust data sharing as part of the national Postsecondary Data Partnership;
• guidance of expert coaches along each step of the experience;
• and customized solutions and continuous improvement plans personalized to allow each institution to meet its first-generation student success goals.

Upon meeting milestones in the First Scholars phase, institutions are eligible to earn the Champion Campus designation.

“First Scholars provides a unique balance of bringing first-generation student initiative scaling into focus while drilling down into how Richard Bland College recalibrates institutional systems to elevate potential and advance outcomes for first-generation students, positioning them to be a real leader in first-generation student success,” said Dr. Kevin Kruger, President and CEO of NASPA. “I look forward to seeing their success as they drive national change and advance success outcomes for first-generation students.”

To learn more about first-generation efforts at Richard Bland College of William & Mary visit RBC University College. To learn more about the First Scholars Network and the Center for First-generation Student Success, visit firstgen.naspa.org.

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ABOUT Richard Bland College of William & Mary

Richard Bland College is a selective, 2-year institution located in Prince George, Virginia. Students attending RBC have the choice between earning an Associate of Arts degree, or an Associate of Science in Behavioral Sciences, Business Administration, Math & Computer Science, Physical Science, Life Science, or Clinical Lab Sciences. RBC is a residential college, giving students the option to choose between apartment-style living and traditional dorm-style living. Although the college is a 2-year institution, it offers a variety of pathways that guarantee admission to The College of William and Mary upon completion of an associate’s degree.

ABOUT THE CENTER FOR FIRST-GENERATION STUDENT SUCCESS

The Center is transforming higher education to drive first-generation student success effectively and equitably across education, career, and life. We provide data, training, and expertise for a growing network of colleges and universities around the country to scale and sustain the important work of serving first-generation students.

ABOUT NASPA

NASPA is a member-centered association supporting a diverse and passionate network of 15,000 professionals and 1,200 institutions across the globe. It is the professional home for the field of student affairs and is dedicated to cultivating student success in collaboration with the missions of its institutional members—a network of colleges and universities representing every sector of higher education.