Dear DDDH,
This message is being sent on behalf of the campus-wide First Generation Student Initiatives Steering Committee. We extend our gratitude to everyone who joined us for our inaugural First Gen Week @ Illinois.
Continuing this momentum of engagement, our steering committee is thrilled to share a newly developed set of learning outcomes for colleges and departments who are seeking to more directly serve our growing demographic of First-Generation students.
These new overarching learning outcomes include:
Campus-level Learning Outcome: First Generation College Students | Matching Illinois Learning Outcome:
Office of the Provost |
First-generation students will be able to effectively speak and write about their experiences as college students, using these skills to advocate for themselves and others, and to contribute to academic and community discussions.
| IRK: Intellectual Reasoning and Knowledge Definition: Illinois students will acquire broad and deep knowledge across academic disciplines and fields. |
First-generation students will be proficient in using data from a variety of sources to analyze and address complex problems, applying these skills in academic projects, research, and real-world scenarios.
| CID: Creative Inquiry and Discovery Definition: Illinois students will apply knowledge to promote inquiry, discover solutions, and generate new ideas and creative works. |
First-generation students will understand the needs of their respective communities and develop innovative solutions to address those needs, demonstrating a commitment to social responsibility and civic engagement. | ELCE: Effective Leadership and Community Engagement Definition: Illinois students will build and sustain productive relationships to respond to civic and social challenges at local, national, and global levels, creating positive change in their communities. |
First-generation students will develop professional and leadership skills through participation in internships, leadership programs, and campus organizations, preparing them for successful careers and leadership roles. | ELCE: Effective Leadership and Community Engagement Definition: Illinois students will build and sustain productive relationships to respond to civic and social challenges at local, national, and global levels, creating positive change in their communities. |
First-generation students will be able to identify, access, and effectively utilize resources related to wellness and basic needs, including financial aid, mental health services, and academic support, to ensure their overall well-being and academic success. | ELCE: Effective Leadership and Community Engagement Definition: Illinois students will build and sustain productive relationships to respond to civic and social challenges at local, national, and global levels, creating positive change in their communities. |
Source:
First Generation Student Initiatives Steering Committee |
Source:
Illinois Student Learning Outcome https://provost.illinois.edu/assessment/learning-outcomes-assessment/illinois-student-learning-outcomes/ |
The goal in the long-term is that by having learning outcomes tied to campuswide assessment, all of us will be able to measure the impact of our work targeting First-Generation students. While there are many metrics for measuring effectiveness, we wanted to provide options that are directly connected to assessment tools such as the Chancellor’s Senior Survey. If you do not have assessment tied the campus learning outcomes, we encourage you to use ours as a launching point for spring 2025 operations and event programming.
What is our ask?
As an important stakeholder reviewing these new learning outcomes, we value and welcome your candid feedback.
- Do the above listed learning outcomes for First Generation students raise questions or concerns for you?
- Does your unit/programming currently target any other learning outcomes structured around the ISLO?
Feedback is kindly requested via email ((firstgen@illinois.edu) no later than January 6th 2025.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Mendez, Director of First Generation Student Initiatives
& Dr. Elizabeth Mason, Director of Mannie L. Jackson Illinois Academic Enrichment and Leadership Program
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign First Generation Campus Steering Committee firstgen.illinois.edu/committee