As you work with first-gen students, we recommend doing the following things to help set them up for success. 

If you’re first gen, let students know!
For many first-gen Cougs, knowing that faculty and staff are also first-gen can have a hugely positive effect on their WSU experience by: 

  • Creating a sense of belonging 
  • Boosting retention 
  • Increasing success rates  

If you’re not first gen, you can still be a champion of first-gen Cougs on your campus. Check out the best practices, resources, and FAQs in this section to find out how you can best support our first-gen Cougs.  

Have patience with students as they learn how to manage the expectations for your course or program.
Be as clear as possible when providing information or instructions, avoid jargon and acronyms, and be ready to explain things more than once. Don’t assume that students will have knowledge of something you’re teaching or explaining, or that they will know how to find help if they need it.   

Contact First at WSU if you have questions about or would like guidance on working with first-gen students.
Our staff experts are happy to help you with whatever you need to achieve the best possible outcome for you and your first-gen students. Whether you’re writing a new syllabus and want to make sure it will be clear to first-gen students or you’re starting a new program and want to know how to get first-gen Cougs involved, we can help! 

Understand what “first gen” means.
WSU defines first-gen students as those whose parents or guardians did not earn a bachelor’s degree during their formative years. Review the First Forward Fact sheets to learn more about the demographics of first-gen students, their utilization of services, and their post-education outcomes. 

Make sure your course and/or program materials are clear.
Avoid (or explain) acronyms, institutional jargon, or “short cuts” when describing locations, course requirements, and/or university administrative processes. Phrases and words that are familiar to you may be confusing for first-gen students. Examples of some of WSU’s terminology can be found on the WSU website. 

FACULTY: Be clear and consistent with course expectations.
Share the expected amount of time and effort required to do well in your class and remind students of deadlines throughout the semester. It can help to explain the rationale behind your requirements and grading criteria. 

FACULTY: Promote your office hours and accommodate student appointments.
Consider offering first-gen–specific office hours, or change the name to "student hours" to clarify the intent. You might also consider moving meetings to a common student space, which can be less intimidating.

Encourage students to use your office hours and clearly state the ways students can use that time (e.g., discuss assignment instructions, review grades, prep for an exam). It can also help to explain when to contact you via email and what types of questions you prefer to answer over email vs. in person. Remember that frequent invitations to use your office hours and/or request meetings with you can help normalize the use of these services. 

Familiarize yourself with campus resources and colleagues.
First-gen students may not be aware of the many resources available to them, such as tutoring, health services, counseling, libraries, and computer labs. Normalize utilizing these resources and remind students that they are part of the college experience. When possible, refer students to a specific contact person for a service – that increases the chances they’ll reach out. 

Encourage students to get involved.
Being involved in student organizations, campus recreation, or other extracurricular activities can help students build a social support network, which contributes to their well-being and success. If you’re not sure what a student is interested in, direct them to Student Engagement Services. 

Know the signs of a student in distress and how to respond.
Faculty and staff are often able to recognize when a student is struggling but don’t know what to say or do. WSU’s campus-specific “Helping Students In Distress” guides outline common scenarios and how to respond, refer, and report when needed.  

Remember: you can always submit a referral to the Student Care Network or contact the Office of the Dean of Students.