Trailblazers Wanted

At MSU Denver, 59.7% of undergraduates are the first in their families to pursue a 4-year college education. First-Generation Initiatives exists to encourage and empower the Roadrunner community to embrace and celebrate these students.  

As part of MSU Denver’s Classroom to Career Hub (C2Hub), First-Generation Initiatives exists help first-generation students build a strong sense of community, navigate campus resources, and access the tools that will help them find success throughout their journey as students at MSU Denver, and as future professionals in the careers they are interested in pursuing.

First-generation students find a place to belong at MSU Denver.

Connect with First-Gen Initiatives

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Contact Us

Looking to connect with our office? Contact us via e-mail and we will help connect you to the resources and programs that help you find success at MSU Denver.

Email Us!
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First-Gen Instagram

Follow us on Instagram for additional ways to connect with our office, attend upcoming events, and to build community with fellow first-generation students and alumni.

Follow Us!
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Upcoming Events

We partner with offices and orgs from across campus and in the Denver community to offer events and programs that support your connection and sense of belonging.

Join Us!

NASPA FirstGen Forward Institution

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In 2019, MSU Denver joined 349 institutions of higher education as part of NASPA’s First Scholars Network — now FirstGen Forward — to advance the work for first-generation student success. FirstGen Forward offers a national model for scaling holistic first-generation student success by engaging and empowering institutions of higher education to radically transform the first-generation student experience, advance academic and co-curricular outcomes, and build more inclusive institutional structures. Additionally, in 2023, MSU Denver joined 22 institutions honored for their commitment to advancing the outcomes of first-gen students on NASPA’s First Scholars list 

On August 7, 2024, the Colorado HB24-1082 goes into effect.
Learn more and read the bill focused on our upcoming designation as a First-Generation Serving Institution through the State of Colorado.

Working in Support of First-Gen Students

Cristobal Garcia headshot

Cristóbal (Chris) Garcia joined the C2Hub as Associate Director of First-Generation Initiatives. A first-gen college graduate, Chris will lead the First-Scholar Steering Committee and implement strategies to help first-generation students find community and success at MSU Denver.

Photo of Kolby Bautista

Kolby Bautista Lopez joined the First-Gen Initiatives team as the Student Operations Support Specialist. Kolby is a first-generation student from Denver, Colorado, majoring in mathematics with a concentration in secondary education at MSU Denver. He will support student engagement efforts and office operations.

As the First-Gen Initiatives team, Chris and Kolby have the following outlined objectives:  

  • Improvement of persistence and graduation rates specifically for first-generation students. 
  • Development of academic identity, student self-concept, and leadership identity for first-generation students. 
  • Provide education and training on MSU Denver’s definition of first-generation and the first-generation student college experience. 
  • Assist the university in accomplishing measures that strategically further the success of first-generation students on our campus.  

First-Scholars Steering Committee

As MSU Denver works to build an institutional landscape that more holistically supports rst-generation students, the First-Scholars Steering Committee was established to help meet this need. Comprised of students, faculty, and staff, the steering committee serves as advocates in their respective areas, develops ‘Servingness’ strategy, and engages students in programming that help us meet our mission.

Members of the First-Generation Initiatives Steering Committee serve on four subcommittees focused on data analysis and reporting, resource development and engagement, communication and awareness efforts, and development of faculty/staff ‘Servingness’ training. 

Committee Members & Faculty/Staff Champions

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The Roadrunner Community is Key to supporting First-Gen Students

Alumni, Faculty, and Staff can support our work!

Helping first-generation students find success is a campus-wide effort. With your support, we can help more first-gen students engage with the MSU Denver community and find success. Are you looking for ways to get involved? Here’s how:

  • Connect first-generation students with our office. – E-mail Us
  • Invite students to attend campus events. – Upcoming Events
  • Get Informed and do your own research – FirstGenForward
  • Share resources with first-generation students. – Resource List
  • Attend a faculty/staff ‘Servingness’ training. – E-mail Us
  • Add Your Name to our Faculty & Staff Directory. – Join the List!
  • Join our First-Gen Alumni volunteer list. – Click the link below!

Want to make a Big Impact?

Support our work with a financial contribution and make a real impact on our ability to support and engage first-generation students through programming and engagement work.

Give to First-Generation Initiatives

To make your gift:

  • Click the link below,
  • Select the amount of your gift,
  • Select “Other” in the designation box, and
  • Type First-Generation Initiative Fund in the box, and complete the remaining items on the form.

Make Your Gift

Resources & Engagement Opportunities

Let's get you connected to resources and engagement opportunities that will help you find sucess!

Explore resources and events we've sourced in support of first-generation students.

Resources and Events

Connect with our Office: 

You’ll find us at events and programs across campus, but you can also find us in-person, by phone, or by e-mail.

First-Gen Initiatives is part of the C2Hub. Want to learn more and connect? Visit the C2Hub website.

Office Location:
Jordan Student Success Building | Window #2

Phone Number:
303 615-1133

Email:
[email protected]