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Damien Boutillon
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“I think [the RISE program] is an amazing opportunity for many individuals, especially first-year students, who feel unsure of their place in college. RISE is a program that helps individuals become more confident in themselves and their ability to fit in at college.” (RISE student 2025-26)
Starting a new path as a first-generation student can be both empowering and overwhelming. For many students that are the first in their family to step through the higher education doors, benefiting from a dedicated support community can make all the difference. Around 60% of incoming first-year students identify as first-generation at Salem State.
The Salem State RISE (Resources and Inspiration for Student Empowerment) program offers tailored success coaching support to 200 first-gen students (100 first-year and 100 sophomore students) through their first two years of academic and social experiences at the university.
Since 2023, RISE students have continued from year to year at rates that average 12.5% percentage points higher than the average at Salem State. This shows how impactful a dedicated support system can be, particularly for first-generation students, and highlights the benefits of our shared commitment to the community’s success.
The power of the RISE coaching program comes first from our students’ resilience, belief in their own futures, and consistent engagement with their success team. Through biweekly meetings with a success coach, students gain skills and self-confidence in their academics, developing learning strategies, time management skills, confidence in navigating college procedures and the confidence to access all the resources available to them. The RISE program also supports students’ growth by collaborating with university offices to offer workshops on financial literacy, career development, and leadership development.
Student feedback consistently highlighted the wraparound benefits of RISE: community, confidence, and growth are words that consistently come back in qualitative feedback on the coaching experience.
“The RISE program is not only a resource for students navigating the college experience, but for students looking for community and support. The program teaches key concepts for young adults […] while also providing methods to grow your social circle, find community, and build your confidence.”
“You will never feel alone and will always have somebody in your corner to help you get through what can be a difficult and stressful transition to college”
— RISE Students 2024-25, 2025-26
The RISE program was generously started by university donors, who uplifted institutional efforts to become first-gen ready through its first two years. The Student Success and First Year Experience team is deeply thankful for their vision and commitment, that allowed life-changing support for traditionally underserved students.
A first-generation student is broadly defined as neither parent nor guardian having graduated with a bachelor’s degree from a 4-year college/university in the US. Support and cross campus collaboration are key to student success. Interested in getting more involved in initiatives sponsored by the First-Generation Student Success Center? Contact the Office of Student Success and the First Year Experience at firstgen@salemstate.edu.