Drive Student Success for First-Generation Students at Pace University USA
Understanding the First-Generation Student Experience in Higher Education
First-generation college students in the USA face a distinct set of challenges as they navigate higher education. Defined as students whose parents did not complete a four-year college degree, these individuals often step onto campus without a familial roadmap for academic success, financial aid navigation, or campus life integration. The transition from high school to college is complex for any student, but first-generation students frequently encounter hidden curriculums—unwritten rules and expectations that peers with college-educated parents inherently understand.
Institutions across the USA are increasingly recognizing that standard orientation programs are rarely sufficient to bridge this gap. To achieve genuine student success, universities must implement targeted, structural support systems. This means moving beyond basic academic advising to provide holistic resources that address financial literacy, mental health, career preparation, and social belonging. When higher education institutions fail to address these specific needs, first-generation students are at a higher risk of dropping out. Conversely, when universities build intentional frameworks, first-generation students consistently demonstrate high levels of resilience, academic achievement, and professional capability.
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Pace University Commits to First-Generation Student Success
Pace University has established itself as a prominent institution dedicated to addressing these exact challenges. Recognizing that a significant portion of its student body requires specialized support, the university has taken deliberate steps to formalize its commitment. Currently, one in four students at Pace University identifies as a first-generation college student. This demographic reality has driven the administration to develop comprehensive strategies aimed at fostering an inclusive environment where all students can thrive academically and professionally.
President Marvin Krislov emphasized this institutional philosophy, stating, “At Pace, we believe talent is universal, and opportunity should be too.” This statement reflects a broader mission within Pace University to ensure that a student’s background does not dictate their academic or career outcomes. By actively investing in first-generation student success, Pace University is working to level the playing field in higher education, providing the same caliber of opportunity to students who may not have inherited college-going knowledge from their families.
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What the FirstGen Forward Network Means for Pace University
To further solidify and expand its efforts, Pace University was recently selected as a member of the FirstGen Forward Network Class of 2026. The FirstGen Forward Network is a national organization that engages and empowers higher education institutions to improve the first-generation student experience. With the addition of the 2026 class, the network includes more than 500 higher education institutions across 48 states and the District of Columbia.
Membership in this network is not merely a symbolic designation. It requires a demonstrated commitment to advancing success for first-generation students, backed by a willingness to align institutional strategy, data, and campus-wide efforts for long-term impact. The FirstGen Forward Network operates on a three-phase approach: Network Member, Network Leader, and Network Champion.
As a newly inducted Network Member, Pace University faculty and staff will participate in a virtual kickoff, monthly collaborative calls, professional development sessions, and goal-setting activities. They will collaborate with peer institutions to share evidence-based practices and work through shared challenges. This collaborative model is designed to help institutions scale their efforts, moving from isolated programs to fully integrated, campus-wide structural changes that benefit first-generation students.
Explore our related articles for further reading on how national networks improve higher education outcomes.
Centralized Support: The FirstGen Student Success Hub
A critical component of Pace University’s strategy as a FirstGen Forward Network Member is the development of a FirstGen Student Success Hub. This hub will operate under the Office of the Provost, ensuring it has the institutional authority and visibility necessary to drive cross-departmental collaboration.
Historically, support for first-generation students at many universities has been fragmented. A student might find financial aid counseling in one building, academic advising in another, and career services in a completely different department. The FirstGen Student Success Hub is designed to eliminate these silos. It will lead a centralized, university-wide approach to coordinating resources, programs, partnerships, and communications across Pace University’s various departments and campuses.
By centralizing these efforts, the Hub will ensure that first-generation students receive consistent, comprehensive support from the moment they enroll through their graduation day. This structural alignment is a crucial step in advancing student success, as it prevents students from falling through the cracks during transitional periods, such as moving from sophomore year into a major-specific curriculum or transitioning from undergraduate studies to graduate programs.
Actionable Resources for First-Generation Students at Pace University
Joining the FirstGen Forward Network builds upon a foundation of existing resources that Pace University already provides to its first-generation population. Understanding what these resources are can help prospective students and their families evaluate the quality of support available at different higher education institutions.
Financial Aid Counseling and Accessibility
Financing a college education is consistently cited as one of the most stressful aspects of higher education for first-generation families. Pace University addresses this by providing dedicated financial aid counseling. Notably, 97 percent of first-year students at Pace receive financial aid. This high rate of aid distribution is a tangible indicator of the university’s commitment to expanding access and opportunity for students who might otherwise be priced out of a degree.
The First-Generation Certificate Program
Pace University offers a First-Generation Certificate Program designed to help students formally develop the skills needed for academic and professional success. These programs typically involve targeted workshops, mentorship opportunities, and seminars that address the specific nuances of navigating higher education without a familial framework. Completing such a program provides students with a credential that signals their proactive approach to their education, which can be highly valuable in internship and job interviews.
Tri-Alpha First-Generation Honor Society
Academic recognition plays a vital role in building a student’s confidence and sense of belonging. Pace University hosts a chapter of the Tri-Alpha First-Generation Honor Society. This organization recognizes the academic achievements of first-generation students, providing them with a community of high-achieving peers. Membership in an honor society also offers networking opportunities, leadership development, and enhanced resume credentials.
Personalized Academic Advising and Career Services
Standard advising often fails first-generation students who do not know the right questions to ask. Pace University counteracts this by offering personalized academic advising that guides students through course selection, major declaration, and academic probation prevention. Furthermore, the university integrates career development early in the student lifecycle, ensuring that first-generation students are building resumes, securing internships, and preparing for the job market alongside their peers who may have industry connections through their families.
How to Evaluate Higher Education Support as a First-Generation Student
For high school students and families researching colleges in the USA, the presence of a FirstGen Forward Network designation is a strong indicator of an institution’s priorities. However, prospective students should look beyond the headlines to evaluate the actual infrastructure a university has in place.
First, investigate whether the institution has a centralized office or hub dedicated to first-generation students, similar to what Pace University is developing. Fragmented support is a red flag. Second, ask about the retention and graduation rates for first-generation students compared to the general student population. Closing this gap is the ultimate metric of student success. Finally, look for visible communities, such as the Tri-Alpha Honor Society or specialized orientation programs, that demonstrate the university fosters a sense of belonging rather than treating first-generation status as a deficit to be fixed.
Planning Your Next Steps in Higher Education
Pace University’s acceptance into the FirstGen Forward Network Class of 2026 marks a significant milestone in its ongoing efforts to support first-generation students. By committing to a centralized, data-driven, and collaborative approach, the university is actively working to ensure that its campus environment is conducive to the success of all students, regardless of their background. The development of the FirstGen Student Success Hub, combined with existing resources like the First-Generation Certificate Program and robust financial aid, positions Pace University as a practical option for first-generation students seeking a degree in the USA. Higher education requires intentional design to be equitable, and institutional commitments like this one are necessary steps toward that goal.
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