The University of Missouri-Kansas City is proud to be a campus that celebrates and supports first-generation college students. In 2020, the university was designated by the Center for First-Generation Student Success as a First-Gen Forward Institution. The designation recognizes colleges and universities that have demonstrated a commitment to improving experiences and advancing outcomes of first-generation college students. Selected institutions receive professional development, community-building experiences and a first look at the center’s research and resources.
UMKC defines a first-generation college student as any student whose parents or guardians did not receive a bachelor's degree in the United States.