FIRST-GENERATION

The university has launched custom programming and activities designed to support first-generation students by addressing academic, emotional and financial obstacles to ensure Davenport students thrive in their first year of college and ultimately reach graduation.

The First-Generation Student Success Initiative encourages students to take advantage of available services, identify and bridge gaps to barriers, and track and monitor students and the impact of the initiative’s activities.

“This particular program is so dear to my heart because I can see how it positively affects our students,” said Dr. Jodi Hicks, director of student transitions and academic readiness at Davenport. “Being able to help a firstgeneration student be successful and see the impact it has on their family is just so powerful!”

Jessie, a first-generation student studying business at Davenport, is an excellent example of how this program helps transform lives. “Davenport has helped me be successful as a first-generation college student by giving me the confidence to overcome adversity and the confidence to find solutions in tough situations,” he said.