Upward trend of first-generation enrollment at UMKC is “something we can all be very proud of,” says Chancellor Agrawal

  58% of incoming UMKC students in Fall 2024 identified as first-generation. This is a jump from the 40% first-generation undergraduates in 2020.

  As a Network Leader in FirstGen Forward institutions, the university is paving the way for first-gen college students to be successful.

  First Gen Roo (FGR) is an organization meant to support UMKC’s first-gen students by connecting them to resources on campus. 

“We don’t recreate the wheel, we bring resources to our students,” said the director of FGR, Megan Elsen.

  FGR facilitates the First Gen Roo Scholars program which gives first-gen students an early introduction to campus life. During this early welcome, students participate in a week of activities that mimic what their first semester at UMKC will be like. 

  Elsen said the goal of this is to level the playing field for first-gen students during their first week of classes.

  Audriana Lagares, an FGR Scholar who participated in the welcome week this Fall said she thought it was really fun. 

“I feel like they’re basically the reason that I survived first semester,” she said about the program. “It was hard, but spending my time here makes it better because everyone’s so nice.”

  Lagares now works for FGR’s marketing team, and got the opportunity to shadow the Kansas City Chiefs marketing team. 

“If I didn’t work here and wasn’t a part of this program I would have never done that honestly,” said Lagares.

 FGR also works with other campus organizations such as financial wellness and career services to host events that promote success. They also host recurring networking events to connect students with first-generation professionals who share their background and experiences.

  Luke Cozad, a sophomore who works for Peer Academic Leadership (PAL), is not first generation but says he has also benefited from FGR.

  Cozad got the opportunity to do a social media marketing internship with a film group through a connection he made during a “Lunch with a First Gen Professional” networking event.

  “Everybody here–whether you’re first gen or not–they’re very open to giving you opportunities and advice,” said Jasmine Galeas, an FGR Scholar and event/student support specialist for the program.

  Galeas says FGR has given her “a sense of belonging and community” during her first year. “They help push me to succeed, especially when I don’t want to,” she said.

  Elsen said she thinks the increase in first-gen enrollment is due in part to UMKC’s designation as a Network Leader in FirstGen Forward institutions. 

  “We’ve started to receive some national recognition,” said Elsen about the designation. “First-gen students are seeing ‘Oh, if 58% of the incoming class are first gen, I’m likely to sit next to a first-gen person in my class.’ It’s not as scary.”

  Elsen said she thinks it’s important to celebrate first-gen identities because “being the first in your family to navigate college is scary.”

  “When you show up in a space and that identity is something that is celebrated and excited about, it kind of reshapes how you view yourself and it helps build confidence,” she said. “That identity piece becomes something you’re proud of.”

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