Plano, Texas, August 15, 2011 — The Suder Foundation, dedicated to raising the graduation rate of first-generation college students, announces the addition of The University of Memphis and Washington State University as participants in its First Scholars program. Each university receives a multi-year commitment toward startup and early-stage funding to develop a First Scholars program on its campus.
The universities join existing affiliates University of Kentucky, The University of Alabama, and Southern Illinois University Carbondale.
The First Scholars program offers comprehensive support to first-generation college students by addressing, on an individualized basis, each scholar’s academic, social, personal development, and financial needs. The national model employs a data-driven approach to selecting and supporting participants to promote persistence, retention, and — ultimately — graduation from college.
“These two outstanding universities are committed to helping us refine components of the First Scholars program,” said Eric Suder, President of The Suder Foundation. “In addition, the team members and leadership involved seem to have the heart that fits with what we’re trying to accomplish.”
Funding for First Scholars covers a program coordinator to work with a minimum cohort of 20 scholars, along with peer mentoring, educational and enrichment programs, service opportunities, and individualized personal development plans. In addition, scholars receive an annual $5,000 scholarship that can be renewed for three additional years based on continued eligibility, for a total award of $20,000 per scholar. Universities selected this year provided matching funds to support half the participants in the cohort and contribute additional resources to their program.
Since 2009, The Suder Foundation has awarded over $1.6 million dollars in research, planning and operational funds, and scholarships to affiliate universities.
The Suder Foundation is establishing a growing national network of four-year public universities to provide comprehensive support to first-generation college students through its First Scholars™ program. The foundation provides universities startup and early-stage funding for program operations along with renewable scholarships for cohorts of students at each program site. The program model uses data to support scholar selection and align resources to support specific student needs to promote persistence and retention and, ultimately, graduation from college. Established in 2008, The Suder Foundation is a private foundation with headquarters in Plano, Texas.
For more information about the Suder Foundation and its First Scholars program, visit www.firstscholars.org.
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