Former student body president and student regent and current Washington educator Jordan Frost received Washington State University’s inaugural First-Generation Alumni Excellence Award, presented by the Office of Academic Engagement (OAE).
First-generation students are those whose parents did not graduate from college with a bachelor’s degree. Frost earned two degrees at WSU—a B.A. in history in 2018, and a Master in Teaching in 2019. While an undergraduate in Pullman, he was elected and served as head of the Associated Students of Washington State University; as a graduate student, he was selected to serve on the college’s Board of Regents.
Since graduation, he teaches social studies and is activities director at Issaquah High School, responsible for oversight of the student body organization budget, student government advising, campus events, school culture, and community engagement.
First recipient of award
“We envision this award as a way to celebrate exceptional WSU alumni who were first-generation students themselves,” said Ali Bretthauer, director of OAE College Success Programs. OAE is part of the Division of Academic Engagement and Student Achievement in the provost’s office.
“We intend for this award to honor those who were truly engaged as students despite any barriers to their success due to being first-gen. Recipients of the award have gone on to distinguish themselves personally or professionally, advancing academic engagement and the first-gen community. Many, like Jordan, inspire others by sharing their personal experience.”
In November, Frost was a guest speaker on the topic of “Personal and Institutional Barriers for Academic Achievement” when OAE hosted several events for students, faculty, and staff that were geared toward enlightening people about first-generation students. The programming was offered in association with the National First-Generation Celebration Day, sponsored by the Council for Opportunity in Education and the Center for First-generation Student Success organizations.
“As an alumnus and professional, Jordan is dedicated to excellence in education and engaging students at Issaquah High School, and he truly epitomizes the award,” said Bretthauer. “We look forward to identifying and awarding more first-gen alumni in future years.”
