Welcome to First in the Forest
Wake Forest prides itself on being a University that provides access and opportunity. For a growing population of Wake Forest students who are first-generation or Federal Pell Grant eligible in college, we want to ensure that the means to acclimate, navigate, and succeed are available to them. In Fall 2024, we welcomed 157 new First in the Forest students; that represents an 18% increase over 2023. This increased cohort of students is a welcome sign that Wake Forest is becoming a destination for more first-generation or Pell-eligible students who see the University as a welcoming place of committed faculty and staff.
However, our commitment to recruit and enroll first-generation or Pell-eligible students must be complemented by an equal commitment to making sure they thrive. The First in the Forest Program intends to support our students throughout their academic careers to ensure that they have the same academic assistance and opportunity afforded to other students.
First in the Forest Ghana Spring Break Trip
“Coming into Wake Forest, I didn’t realize how much support would be given to students like me. It feels like everybody has so much on their plate and is so accomplished. I definitely felt “Imposter Syndrome.” I was questioning myself. How did I make it here when everyone is so incredible and so talented? As my freshman year went on, I realized that I had earned my place.
Dr. French was able to walk me through the experiences of my freshman year: knowing how to create a resume, how to network, how to apply to internships. I learned that in my sophomore year.
I feel I’m in a really good place now. I want to extend a hand to future incoming freshmen. I’m part of the First In Flight program, which is meant for First Generation students. Recently, I met with a First Generation freshman. We had dinner. We talked for an hour and a half. I’m glad I was able to talk to him and explain how many resources we have available to us, but I want more people to know about it.”
Alondra Janicek ‘23
“As a first-generation college student myself, I am deeply committed to increasing access for underrepresented and underserved students. Successful recruitment and retention of these dedicated young people adds new perspectives to classroom discussion, raises important questions for campus consideration and enriches the teaching and learning environment for all.”
Eric Maguire, Vice-President for Enrollment
