Framingham State University has signed on as an early adopter of the “Opportunities for All” campaign, a nationwide effort to raise awareness about the accessibility, affordability and quality of State Colleges and Universities (SCUs).

The campaign was launched by the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) to showcase how SCUs are committed to providing higher education opportunities to every student, including first-generation and underserved populations.

“Framingham State’s commitment to quality and accessibility is a part of our institutional identity,” says President F. Javier Cevallos. “The Opportunities for All campaign aligns perfectly with our mission and values at FSU.”

The campaign was launched in response to a survey AASCU commissioned in 2013 to assess public perceptions of SCUs. While the research reaffirmed that these schools provide high-quality, accessible and affordable college opportunities, the public was split on whether college was worth the investment.

Further research showed some key stakeholders – lawmakers, opinion leaders, prospective students, parents and the general public – did not fully understand or appreciate the value of AASCU institutions.

“We need to collectively raise awareness about the importance of State College and Universities to a region’s economic, cultural and social vitality,” President Cevallos says.

Nearly 50 percent of new students who enrolled at Framingham State in fall 2016 identified as the first generation in their family to attend college. In order to foster a greater sense of belonging among this population, the University launched an affinity group called GenerationOne, which connects the students with faculty and staff whose parents also did not attend college.

In 2015, the University partnered with MassBay Community College to launch the MetroWest College Planning Center, which is dedicated to helping non-traditional and low-income families achieve the promise of a college education. Services provided to students and families at the center include comprehensive financial counseling support, educational resources, and one-on-one advising and mentoring.

FSU has created a web page to share more information about Opportunities for All.