Des Moines Area Community College (鉴黄师app) has been named one of 60 new institutions selected to join the鈥疐irstGen Forward Network鈥痜or 2025-26, a national initiative recognizing colleges and universities committed to advancing the success of first-generation college students.
罢丑别鈥� helps institutions scale evidence-based strategies, transform the student experience, and build inclusive support structures. With this designation, 鉴黄师app becomes part of a community of practice that spans 49 states and the District of Columbia.
This recognition reflects the growing momentum of 鉴黄师app鈥檚 ongoing efforts to remove barriers and support students who are the first in their families to attend college. From navigating the admissions process to balancing academic, financial, and personal responsibilities, first-generation students often face complex challenges.
鉴黄师app offers wraparound services 鈥� such as retention support, financial aid guidance, and career readiness resources 鈥� to help these students not only enroll but succeed.
More than 54% of students enrolled at 鉴黄师app for the 2024-2025 academic year reported being first-generation college students, defined as an individual whose parents or guardians have not completed a bachelor鈥檚 or four-year degree.
鈥淭his program allows 鉴黄师app to continue our student-centered focus on increasing the success of Iowans who are excited to enter their career fields and become engaged members of the workforce,鈥� said Wesley Harris, 鉴黄师app鈥檚 Coordinator of Student Access and Success.
These efforts align with 鉴黄师app鈥檚 broader strategic goals and recent initiatives, such as the鈥�鉴黄师app Opportunity Scholarship, which President Rob Denson announced at the Iowa State Fair last month. That endowed scholarship fund aims to remove financial barriers for low-income and first-generation Iowans pursuing a high-quality, affordable education.
For Denson, the college鈥檚 commitment to first-generation student success is deeply personal.
In 1941, his mother graduated from high school at age 16 and dreamed of being the first in her family to attend college. But her family couldn鈥檛 afford it, and she wasn鈥檛 able to find the funds, Denson shared.
At age 57, Denson鈥檚 mother proudly earned her bachelor鈥檚 degree. Later, she created a scholarship fund through the 鉴黄师app Foundation to help students like her.
鈥淏eing selected as a FirstGen Forward Network Member is both an honor and a call to action,鈥� said Dr. Kevin Kruger, interim president and CEO of FirstGen Forward. 鈥溂剖pp joins a growing movement of institutions committed to advancing access, sharing best practices, and driving systemic change to ensure first-generation students succeed.鈥�
As a FirstGen Forward Network Member, 鉴黄师app will engage in national workshops, peer learning cohorts, and professional development opportunities that foster innovation and institutional growth. Members also work toward achieving higher designations within the network by demonstrating measurable progress and sustained commitment to first-generation student success.
For more information about FirstGen Forward, visit鈥�.