Purpose First Scholars Learning Community
Step Into Success: Join Our Learning Community for First-Generation Students!
Are you the first in your family to attend college? You’re not alone — and you don’t have to navigate it alone either. Purpose First Scholars is a supportive community built specifically for first-generation and Pell-eligible students. Here, you’ll gain the skills, connections, and confidence to succeed in the classroom and in your career.
As a member of Purpose First Scholars, you’ll have access to:
✅ Exclusive workshops on academic success, financial literacy, and job-readiness
✅ Career-boosting opportunities like mock interviews, mentorships, and networking events
✅ A supportive community of peers and professionals who are committed to your growth
This isn’t just a place to learn — it’s a launchpad for your future. If you’re ready to turn your college experience into a story of success, apply today and be part of a community that’s dedicated to YOU! Read below to see the difference Purpose First Scholars is making for APSU students, view eligibility requirements, and more.
In 2023, Purpose First Scholars was awarded the NASPA Silver Excellence Award for First-Generation Student Support: "This award seeks to highlight innovative initiatives that relate to the programs, policies, procedures, best practices, or services supporting first-generation undergraduate or graduate students."
“Beginning college with a clear sense of purpose is a critical step to ensuring an investment in higher education pays personal and financial dividends for a lifetime” (Complete College America).
Purpose First Scholars is a career-focused learning community dedicated to helping incoming freshmen align their major to career goals during their first year in college.
Scholars will have the opportunity to participate in exclusive academic and career exploration experiences and leave the learning community ready to achieve their career goals. From Fall 2022 to Spring 2023, Scholars were retained at a rate of 94.6% compared to roughly 82% of their non-PFS peers.
Participation in the learning community begins with an exclusive overnight GO (Governors Orientation) experience on May 30-31, 2025 and continues throughout the fall semester in a UNIV 1000 section specifically designed for Purpose First Scholars. Additionally, Scholars will attend exclusive career readiness events outside of the classroom to better develop key career skills. The program is externally funded, meaning there is no cost for students to participate!
We are now accepting applications for our Fall 2025 cohort of Scholars! The priority application deadline is February 1, 2025.
Meet with our coordinator for more info!
Meet the Assistant Director for First Generation Student Success Initiatives, Asia
Pace! Asia is the daughter of a first generation student and has seen first hand the
way a college education can change someone's life and broaden their opportunities.
Asia is an APSU alumna and native of Clarksville. Prior to her current position, Asia
served as a Student Success Coach for two and a half years and as an Academic Advisor
for about two years. Asia feels that her experience as a former Austin Peay student
allows her to relate more closely with students and she is motivated by a strong desire
to help students make the most of their college experience. Asia gives this advice
to new Govs, “Get involved! College is full of unique experiences that you won’t get
to have anywhere else”. What she loves the most about Austin Peay is that there’s
always something fun to do on campus for anyone, regardless of their interest. Asia
enjoys reading, shopping, and hanging out with her cats in her free time.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Purpose First Scholars Learning Community guides success by helping students to form connections in a peer group with like-minded students. This learning community helps students build important connections with campus resources, faculty, and staff to foster personal and academic success.
Students in the Purpose First Scholars Learning Community will benefit from:
- Exploring their major and career goals while participating in experiences that prepare them for their future.
- Participating in an exclusive overnight GO (Governors Orientation) experience where
they will engage in fun activities that are meant to inspire early career exploration
and introduce them to life at APSU.
- Enrolling in a special section of UNIV 1000 in the fall semester designed to help Scholars find a pathway to careers and engage in meaningful career experiences outside the classroom.
- Enrolling in a section of UNIV 2100 in the spring semester as a expansion on the career exploration started in UNIV 1000. Scholars will develop soft skills, practice networking, and map academic plans to career goals.
- Receiving a full year of special guidance from staff, faculty, and peer leaders.
- Get trusted guidance for first-generation challenges from a National Award-winning
program.
Below are the eligibility requirements for the Purpose First Scholars Learning Community.
Please feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns you might have about these requirements.
- First-generation college student (neither parent/guardian graduated from a four-year college) OR eligible to receive the Pell Grant
- Traditional, incoming first-time freshmen admitted for fall semester
- Live on campus or commute
- Cannot also participate in Honors, President's Emerging Leaders Program (PELP), or Full-Spectrum Learning (FSL)
- Attend the mandatory overnight GO (Governors Orientation) on May 30-31, 2025. Details about the orientation experience will be sent to students who are accepted into the learning community.
- Attend career readiness and community-builder events throughout the fall semester.
- Register and stay enrolled in the special Purpose First Scholars section of UNIV 1000 (freshman seminar) in the fall semester.
- Register and stay enrolled UNIV 2100 (career preparation seminar) in the spring semester.
- All Scholars must participate in a full academic year of program activities and meet once per semester with the coordinator for the learning community, Asia Pace.
We are currently accepting applications for Fall Semester 2025.
Students who meet the eligibility requirements listed above are invited to apply to the learning community and can click on the link below to be taken directly to the application.
The priority application deadline is February 1, 2025. Students who are accepted into the learning community will receive an email via their APSU email address.
Students and their families/support network are encouraged to contact the coordinator for the Purpose First Scholars Learning Community, Asia Pace.
Email: paceak@apsu.edu
Text or Call: 931-221-7735
You may also schedule a phone or Zoom appointment to address any questions you might have about the learning community.