Washington State University is proud to be a First Forward Institution, recognized nationally for our dedication to serving first‑generation college students!

WSU was named to the inaugural First Forward cohort in 2017, joining 80 universities and colleges from across the nation in a prestigious group named by the Center for First‑Generation Student Success, an initiative of the Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education (NASPA) and The Suder Foundation. Since then, we have moved to an advanced phase of the center's First Scholars Network, a four-phase journey that helps participating institutions build systemic support structures for first‑gen students.

In our current phase, we will establish a transformational environment where first-gen student support is created, scaled, and sustained.

You can read more about the First Scholars Network on their website, and more about WSU's work as a First Forward Institution in the WSU Insider.

“We are extremely honored to be selected as a First Scholars institution by the Center for First-generation Student Success. WSU is reiterating its dedication to ensuring that all students, regardless of background, are provided with the opportunities and services they need to achieve their goals.

— Elizabeth Chilton, WSU provost and executive vice president, and WSU Pullman chancellor