Academic Success

Captain’s Academy

Captain’s Academy is a donation funded program that supports First-Year students who identify as first-generation.*

 

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Bryan, Joanha, Lidia and Fernando at Valentine Card making social

Captain’s Academy 2022-23 cohort

Captain’s Academy Welcome Social

Pumpkin Painting Social

Katelyn, Trinidad and Fernando at JEDI Center Visit

Minute-to-Win-It game competition

Captain's Academy Cohort Spring 2023 with grad cords

Student Leaders Vanessa Villarreal and Adrian Gonzalez with First-year Trinidad Laurenzi during end of the year celebration receiving grad cord

Student Leaders Vanessa Villarreal and Adrian Gonzalez with First-year Mayleen Castillo during end of the year celebration receiving grad cord

    Captain’s Academy Interest ForM
    Program Benefits 

    Students who participate in this program can expect the following:

    • Community of support and sense of belonging
    • Dedicated First-Gen Peer Educator who serves as a resource and guide
    • Exclusive Southwestern University First-Generation Stole upon graduating
    • Higher cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA)**
    • Mixers, study halls, and collaborative socials with campus partners
    • Network of First-Gen Faculty and Professional Staff
    • Official Certificate of Completion and Pin upon completing the first-year
    • Private academic focused sessions with campus partners
    • Sponsored funding for select off-campus trips

     

    *In this program, First-generation college students are defined as those students whose parents did not complete a four-year baccalaureate degree as defined by the Higher Education Act of 1965.

    **On average, participants earn a higher cumulative GPA compared to non-participants in their first-year. The average cumulative GPA for 2024-2025 participants was 3.39.