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Employees can self-identify as first-generation college graduate in Applaud

A photograph of Stewart Hall on the WVU campus illuminated by the sunrise.

WVU employees who graduated from any college or university as first-generation students are welcome to self-identify as first-generation through a newly added feature on Applaud.

This new feature — an initiative led by the Office of Student Success, Information Technology Services and Talent and Culture — will aid the Office of Student Success in a number of ways, including identifying potential mentors for current first-generation students. It will also provide the office with valuable information on the number of first-generation faculty and staff at WVU to help illustrate the life-changing power of higher education.

At WVU, “first-generation” means at least one of the following statements applied when you were a student:

  • Neither of your parents or guardians had completed a four-year degree from a college or university within the United States.

  • Your parents earned an associate degree.

  • You lived with only one parent or guardian who provided all your support and that person didn’t have a four-year college degree.

  • You had a sibling who earned a two-year (associate) or four-year (bachelor) college degree, but your parents did not complete a four-year degree.

To self-identify as a first-generation college graduate:

  • Visit portal.wvu.edu, login and authenticate with Duo.

  • If you are on campus, select “Personal Information” in the Restricted Apps box to reach Applaud.

  • If you are off campus, connect to the VPN, then select “Personal Information” to reach Applaud.

  • Under the “Personal” dropdown, select “Personal Information.”

  • Select “Add” to the right of the FirstGen introduction.

  • Self-identify by selecting “Yes” or “No,” then click “Save.”

While you are logged in, ITS recommends you review and update all personal information, including addresses and phone numbers that may have changed.

For questions about first-generation self-identification, visit our FAQs or contact Shared Services at SharedServices@mail.wvu.edu or 304-293-6006

If you have trouble with the VPN or logging into Applaud, call the ITS Service Desk at 304-293-4444.