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Designed to provide educational equity and opportunity, First-Gen Scholars Coordinator strives to empower first-generation students, students whose parent(s) or guardian(s) do not have a bachelors degree or four-year equivalent from a college or university within the U.S., to create a community of first-generation students at the University of Utah. Positioned in the Office of Undergraduate Studies (US) Center for First Generation Success, the First-Gen Scholars Coordinator will strive to support first-year and transfer first-generation students at the University of Utah. We acknowledge that first-generation student status is only one aspect of an individuals experience and does not solely define a person or their capacity. We promote a holistic approach to recruitment and retention of students in higher education, taking into account a students mental, emotional, physical, and financial well-being. The primary functions of the First-Gen Scholars Coordinator include support first-generation students in transition/retention/graduation, programming, community outreach, and recruitment. Student Support: The First-Gen Scholars Coordinator will be one of two student-serving staff working to support first-generation students, including those not formally involved with First-Gen Scholars. The Coordinator is expected to provide in-depth, customized information and support to assist first-years students in the navigation of their educational careers. This professional staff member utilizes an understanding of college student development, learning, and persistence theories to assist new and transfer first-generation students in developing plans to enhance their academic programs while at the University of Utah. Major responsibilities are to foster a successful transition to the university environment, identify services and resources for degree development that meet the students needs, assist students in identifying resources for major and career selection, and encourage timely graduation. Assists students in the application process for financial aid by helping them to complete appropriate and required forms; by advising them of their rights and responsibilities concerning financial aid; and by providing them with information about the status of their financial aid applications. Program staff endeavor to create a supportive and inclusive community wherein first-generation students that help them thrive at the University of Utah. This person will use their professional experience to serve as a leader to first-year first -generation students in the creation and execution of educational plans, that enhance their academic experience. Programming: The First-Gen Scholars Coordinator will develop, execute and assist in office and campus-wide programming events for the First-Gen Scholars program. These efforts include in-program and campus-wide initiatives like First-Generation social events, Alumni events, faculty workshops, First-Generation National Celebration, First-Generation Conference (First-Gen Con), Tri Alpha honor society events and First-Generation Graduation events. Community Outreach: The First-Gen Scholars Coordinator will work with community partners to provide information at community-based events. Information will range from awareness, advocacy, resources, and individualized, holistic support for first-generation communities, to college access information for students and families. The coordinator will build strong and effective community relationships that enhance student experiences at the U and promote pathways for future students to the U. Incumbent will develop a complete knowledge of community services and resources that can support students and families, and serve as the point-of-contact for community entities into the University and vice versa. Recruitment: The First-Gen Scholars Coordinator will initiate, facilitate, and oversee the recruitment efforts of incoming first-generation students to the University of Utah int the First-Gen Scholars program. The coordinator will attend college application events, college decision day events, new students orientation workshops and tabling sesions and create other opportunities to provide support and information to incoming students.