Troy University has been selected as a member of the FirstGen Forward Network Class of 2026, recognizing the University’s commitment to improving experiences and outcomes for first-generation college students.
The national network connects more than 500 institutions committed to strengthening support for students who are the first in their families to pursue a college degree.
“For 140 years, Troy University has created pathways to opportunity for students, including many who were the first in their families to attend college,” said Dr. Blake Bedsole, Associate Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management. “Joining the FirstGen Forward Network will help us build on that tradition by connecting our faculty and staff with research, resources and institutions across the country that share our commitment to student success.”
TROY currently serves more than 1,700 students who have self-identified as first generation. The University offers a range of scholarships and resources intended to support first-generation students, including three federally funded TRIO programs. Student Support Services provides academic assistance, counseling, career planning, financial literacy education and other resources designed to increase retention and graduation. The Upward Bound program helps prepare area high school students for college, while the McNair Scholars Program provides undergraduate students with research experience, mentoring and preparation for graduate education.
Membership in the FirstGen Forward Network will allow TROY faculty and staff to exchange effective practices with peer institutions, participate in professional development, establish institutional goals and use data to measure progress. TROY enters the first phase of the network’s three-stage model, which provides a pathway from Network Member to Network Leader and, ultimately, Network Champion.
“We are excited to welcome Troy University to the FirstGen Forward Network,” said Martina A. Martin, vice president at FirstGen Forward. “Throughout the application process, Troy University demonstrated a clear commitment to advancing success for first-generation students—backed by a willingness to align strategy, data and campus-wide efforts for long-term impact.”
FirstGen Forward is an independent nonprofit organization that provides research, evidence-based practices and professional development focused on first-generation student success.
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Troy University Dothan Campus
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