Feb. 13, 2025
First-generation students at Ferris State gain additional supports through five-year, $2 million federal grant
First-generation students at Ferris State University will have access to additional resources to overcome obstacles and be successful though a five-year, $2 million federal grant.
First-generation students are those whose parents did not complete bachelor’s degree studies in the United States.
David McCall, associate professor of Interdisciplinary Studies and First-Gen workgroup team leader, said Ferris State has an estimated 3,000 students who meet that description.
“We know that two-thirds of those first-gen students are from low-income families, so our Title III funding from the U.S. Department of Education should be very impactful and value-adding to break down barriers and obstacles to these students’ success,” McCall said.
He said Tuition Incentive Program coordinator Nick Palmer prepared the successful application.
McCall said the grant funds will support hiring a director of first-generation programming who will facilitate peer coaching and mentoring, intrusive advising, utilizing the CliftonStrengths assessment tool and organizing enrichment programs.
“Before the close of the 2025 spring semester, we intend to add a first-generation wellness coordinator to engage students before they arrive at Ferris, support them in their time on campus and continue assistance as they move on to their career,” McCall said. “Wellness, in this position, means advising students on their academic and financial considerations, along with offering support that builds their wholeness and readiness to learn and excel.”
McCall is excited about plans to provide professional development events for first-gen students, and academic support through the NetTutor program, a virtual program staffed by professionals who can respond to questions for more than 150 subjects.
“This is live, 24 hours a day, seven days a week and should be a great boost to students’ learning,” McCall said. “Whether they are students with jobs or families, or among Ferris’ athletes this will be an asset to provide help to them when it suits their schedules.”
Other facets of the first-gen plan designed to build on student experiences include the leadership distinction program, Career Launch, and establishing a first-gen faculty-in-residence position.
“Through our Faculty Center for Teaching and Learning, there will be an emphasis on having instructors consider their teaching through the lens of a first-gen student,” McCall said. “We anticipate collaboration for these initiatives across our campus, involving the Academic Support Center, the Office of Student Success Initiatives, and First-Gen Champions from each of our colleges, who will receive stipends thanks to this grant.”
Other long-range considerations for the program include interns from Ferris State’s Social Work program to engage with and support students and creating a first-gen support center.
“A space of their own can be an important piece of helping students feel they belong and are valued,” McCall said. “Some students may not have their own computer, and we hope to have laptops available for them to use and borrow when this center is established.”
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Bobby Fleischman said federal funding is a catalyst that benefits all activities related to first-gen student support.
“The work Dr. McCall is leading provides tangible, measurable action steps in support of Ferris’ strategic and academic plans,” Fleischman said. “This cutting-edge work remains founded in the pillars of belonging, student excellence, innovation, and interdivisional collaboration that are so critical to the success of our first-generation students and their career paths and lives that benefit from Dr. McCall’s leadership.”
Ferris State’s long-standing commitment to these students saw the program included in the initial cohort of First-Gen Forward Institutions recognized by the Center for First Generation Student Success in 2019 and elevated to the First-Scholars distinction by the center in 2023.