The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities honored Linfield’s First Scholars program this fall with a Beacon Award, recognizing a program’s ability to be replicated and scaled to increase student retention and success.
The First Scholars program provides financial and mentorship assistance to first-generation students. It pairs incoming students with a current first-generation student, as well as a faculty or staff member, who provide mentorship and support. Events throughout the year aim to mitigate the culture shocks first-generation students might otherwise experience.
Outcomes have far exceeded Linfield’s initial hopes. More than 81% of the inaugural First Scholars enrolled as sophomores, and program participation leapt 70% in its second year.
