West Virginia Northern Community College to launch Northern First: A First-Generation Student Success Network

West Virginia Northern Community College is launching Northern First: A First-Generation Student Success Network after receiving a $25,000 grant from the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission and the West Virginia Council for Community and Technical College Education. Northern First is an initiative that will help first-generation college students succeed in their education.

According to an article on West Virginia Northern Community College’s website, Rana Spurlock, who serves as the college’s Director of Institutional Advancement, was quoted as saying of the initiative, “Being the first in your family to attend college is a tremendous accomplishment, but it can also come with questions about how college works and where to turn for help. Northern First will help make sure our first-generation students know they belong here, understand the resources available to them and have people in their corner to help them reach their goals. Success isn't just about getting students through the door. It's about making sure they have the relationships, resources, knowledge and confidence they need to stay enrolled, complete their programs and achieve their educational and career goals. Northern First is about creating that network of support.”

The Northern First initiative launched with the Fall 2026 semester, which began on August 24. The initiative has been designed to support first-generation college students from the moment they consider attending the college, and provides them with resources and guidance throughout their college journey.

Northern First will introduce First-Generation Student Days, which will cater to prospective students who would become the first in their family to attend college. These events will offer students the opportunity to meet other first-generation students, tour campus, receive financial aid information, attend program demonstrations, and more, all to help them decide if West Virginia Northern Community College is the right fit for them. The initiative also includes a First-Generation Family Orientation, which expands these efforts to a student’s entire family, giving everyone access to the same information and demystifying the college experience.

The initiative will also establish a First-Generation Success Network Peer Mentoring Program, which will empower between eight and 10 trained student mentors to provide guidance to about 50 first-generation college students. The peer mentoring program will connect first-generation students with students who are experienced with life on WVNCC’s campus. Similarly, a Faculty/Staff Mentoring Program will be established to ensure first-generation college students can find help and guidance from faculty members, as well.

First-Generation Success Workshops and Engagement Programming will be introduced to offer incoming students with information about important topics like navigating college, budgeting and financial wellness, FAFSA and financial aid, self-advocacy, study and time-management skills, career exploration, transfer planning, and stress management, among others.

First-Generation College Celebration Programming will celebrate the successes of first-generation students, alumni, faculty, and staff through employee stories, recognition displays, networking opportunities, student panels, and a college-wide celebration.

The Northern First initiative will also create the First-Generation Data, Assessment and Institutional Awareness Initiative, which will take a further look at first-generation students and what resources they need in order to succeed, like their confidence navigating college, willingness to seek help, financial and academic confidence, academic performance, credit completion, and retention.

For more information about West Virginia Northern Community College, visit the school’s website.