Otero College receives “First Generation-Serving Institution” Designation

Announced by means of a personal letter to Dr. Kimberly Zant (President of Otero College) from Dr. Angie Paccione (Executive Director), Otero College, as of November 2024, has received the designation of a First Generation-Serving Institution. This letter, written on behalf of the Colorado Department of Higher Education (CDHE), expresses that this designation reflects the CHDE’s commitment to “ensuring retention, success and career paths” and is based on annual enrollment.

To recognize Colorado’s institutions of higher education that set a high standard for enrolling and supporting first generation students, CDHE created the First Generation-Serving Institution Designation. The First Generation-Serving Institution Designation acknowledges institutions whose average first generation undergraduate student population equals or exceeds the statewide average first generation undergraduate student population. Alternately, CDHE also recognizes institutions that have secured a First Scholars Network of Institutions designation from the Center for First Generation Student Success or a similarly rigorous independent third-party designation. 

While enrollment of first-generation students is an important first step, it is equally important to ensure that first generation students receive the support they need to be successful in higher education. CDHE strives to elevate first generation student experiences and close equity gaps so that first generation students have similar outcomes (in retention and graduation rates) as their counterparts. In future years, CDHE will showcase additional postsecondary success measures with more data disaggregation so that the success of persistence and completion rates of first generation students (and other student populations) can be compared across Colorado institutions of higher education. 

The First Generation-Serving Institution Designation aims to address barriers to educational equity through effective programs that use an intersectional approach to support every student in their career aspirations. CDHE’s First Generation-Serving Institution Designation is based on years of equity work. The designation was created to work with existing resources on college campuses and offer a variety of options to ensure each student’s needs are met! Learn more at:  https://cdhe.colorado.gov/first-gen