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The A.J. Fletcher Foundation (AJF) recently renewed its support to ���ϲ����� with a generous investment in First-Generation initiatives at ���ϲ�����. Inspired by the work being done to support and improve outcomes among first-generation students at ���ϲ�����, this grant honors the foundation’s continued support of Kenneth Brown Jr. ’19, assistant director of the Center for Access and Success, First-Generation Student Support Services.

AJF has a long history of investing in ���ϲ����� community members. Established through the generosity of the late Alfred Johnston “A.J.” Fletcher, founder of Capitol Broadcasting, Co., the organization is dedicated to uplifting nonprofits statewide with an emphasis on arts and education. The Foundation has historically supported ���ϲ����� through the (no longer active) Fletcher Music Scholars and the A.J. Fletcher Professorship in the School of Communications, established in 1991.

This spring, the foundation renewed their support to ���ϲ����� with a generous investment in First-Generation initiatives at ���ϲ�����. Inspired by the work being done to support and improve outcomes among first-generation students at ���ϲ�����, this grant honors the foundation’s continued support of Kenneth Brown Jr. ’19, assistant director of the center for access and success, First-Generation Student Support Services at ���ϲ�����.

A first-generation student himself, Brown’s time as an ���ϲ����� undergraduate was transformative. Brown got engaged in as many ways as possible, taking full advantage of the ���ϲ����� experiences made possible by his Odyssey Scholarship.

Along with earning a bachelor’s degree in human service studies, Brown studied abroad in Scotland, worked for the Center for Race, Ethnicity & Diversity Education (CREDE), served as student body president for the 2018-19 academic year and much more.  Immediately following his ���ϲ����� graduation, Brown completed a two-year fellowship with AJF, where he reported directly to the foundation’s executive director, Damon Circosta. During his fellowship, Brown navigated the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic alongside his foundation colleagues. Despite the forces keeping them isolated during this time, Brown formed deeply meaningful relationships with the foundation.

After his fellowship, Brown attended graduate school at Indiana University before returning to ���ϲ����� to lead the first-generation initiatives in the Center for Access and Success.

“I decided to return to ���ϲ����� to play a role in initiatives that deeply shaped who I am,” Brown said. “There were faculty and staff members who listened to me, gave me advice, and supported me in the tough moments of my ���ϲ����� experience. I wanted to be that staff member for students currently.”

Since returning to ���ϲ����� in 2023, Brown has made an indelible impact. Under Brown’s leadership, ���ϲ����� has been named a FirstGen Forward Network Champion Campus, a national distinction that recognizes institutions that are leading the way in advancing first-generation student success. Now, the foundation that invested in Brown once, has doubled down. With a $50,000 grant to support First-Generation Student Support Services, AJF is empowering Brown to shape this program, and provide for the needs of this unique population of students.

“Their support means the world on both a professional and personal level,” he said. “The grant will provide us with the capacity to enhance some of our current offerings, like our mentoring program, our celebrations and how we might support students while also providing us with a little more capacity to be creative and dream about experiences we could try with first-generation students.”

Elle Collins, executive director of the Center for Access and Success, also recognizes the power of this investment.

“The A.J. Fletcher Foundation grant represents a transformative opportunity to build on the strong foundation Brown has established,” Collins said. “With this support, our efforts will extend beyond our center to tap into the wisdom of ���ϲ�����’s global alumni network, creating powerful intergenerational connections and career pathways. This kind of intentional, inclusive work reflects the broader impact of [Brown’s] leadership and the potential of the AJ Fletcher Foundation grant to scale it.”

This grant also opens the door for First-Generation Initiatives to pilot and test new programs and ideas in a way that the program has not experienced since its inception in 2019.

“With these new resources, we are poised not only to expand what we offer, but to more fully realize a vision where every first-generation student at ���ϲ����� is empowered, connected and celebrated,” said Collins.

None of this would have been possible were it not for Brown’s appreciation of meaningful connections, a value that was instilled in him as an ���ϲ����� undergraduate.

“AJF remains one of the top working experiences I have had, from working there and having Damon’s friendship,” he said. “To have them be invested in your success, even to the level of supporting our work is a testament to the power of relationships.”