The University of Alabama was recently selected to partner with The Suder Foundation as a part of the foundation’s recently developed First Scholars Program, which is designed to support and finance first-generation college students.
Thirty-four different colleges applied to host the program on their campuses, but only the University of Alabama and Southern Illinois University Carbondale were chosen.
According to their website, “The Suder Foundation selects First Scholars based on their results on the Student Strengths Inventory, an evidence-based assessment measuring student attitudes toward education and other activities that are critical to college success. Areas assessed include academic engagement, academic self-efficacy, social comfort, resiliency, educational commitment and campus engagement. Combined with cognitive measures of past academic achievement, the resulting scale scores and risk indices help identify at-risk students.”
Speaking to UA News, Eric Suder, The Studer Foundation’s founder and president said, “Our First Scholars program goals align well with The University of Alabama’s current efforts in supporting first-generation students. We are excited by the planning team’s level of energy and enthusiasm about our data-driven approach as well as their commitment to sustaining this program.”
The University will receive a $60,000 planning grant to fund the development and preparation of the program. According to The Suder Foundation’s website, “First Scholar Development Centers will have a physical presence on campus, and will act as a central clearing house and resource for all government, campus and community programs available to assist First Scholars.”
President Robert Witt said, “We are honored to be selected as a new partner in this very important initiative and are committed to upholding The Suder Foundation’s mission of dramatically increasing the graduation rate of first-generation college students. Helping first-generation college students succeed is a top priority on our campus.”
Marc Moncayo, a sophomore majoring in secondary education, said, “I think it’s great that the University is trying to open its doors to a new generation of college students. I’m proud that UA was selected to participate in the First Scholars program and I’m excited to see what changes it will bring to the campus.”
Tillman Allen, a sophomore majoring in civil engineering, expressed similar feelings, “It’s nice to see the University trying to diversify the campus. Hopefully this will allow students who may not have had the financial means to attend the University an opportunity to do so. I think we can expect to see good things from the First Scholars
Program.”
According to the UA news, “The planning grant UA receives this year will be used to fund a coordinator and other preparation activities for the First Scholars program. Once UA successfully completes the planning process, additional multi-year grants totaling more than $1 million will be awarded to fund scholarships for first-generation students and program infrastructure to aid in their transition to college and success at UA.”
