Advocating for Success of First-Generation Students: Enhancing Their Empowerment
In an ongoing effort to foster educational equity, educational institutions are focusing on supporting first-generation students, individuals who are the first in their families to attend college or university. These students often face unique challenges, such as cultural factors, familial responsibilities, and high expectations, which can impact their academic commitments.
To address these challenges, institutions are prioritising research aimed at continually assessing the needs of first-generation students and enhancing support systems. One key approach is the implementation of intentional, rigorous mentorship and support environments. Mentors, trained to understand and address diverse family educational backgrounds and psychosocial factors, provide essential guidance and tools for academic success.
Another crucial aspect is targeted financial aid and assistance programs. Given that first-generation students frequently face financial barriers, increasing access to need-based financial aid and making this support visible and easy to access can promote equity. Programs like Bucky’s Tuition Promise and Pell Pathway serve as examples where institutions prioritise financial support for students with high financial need, who often overlap with first-generation status.
Integrated, accessible student support services are also essential. Support services for first-generation students are sometimes dispersed and hard to navigate. Consolidating academic support, well-being and community support, and financial support into more streamlined, visible services creates a more navigable educational environment. Creating systems like student “navigators” helps these students find needed assistance proactively, reducing confusion and improving their college experience.
Additionally, behavioural science "nudges" are being applied to improve student decision-making around aid applications, registration, and financial literacy. For example, outreach programs with timely text reminders, pre-populated forms, peer norm messaging, and clear communication can help first-generation and low-income students complete required processes on time, supporting enrollment continuity and academic progression.
Programs like federal TRIO student support services are designed to help low-income and first-generation students overcome economic, social, academic, and cultural barriers. Embedding TRIO practices campus-wide and scaling such programs contribute to institutional effectiveness in supporting these populations.
Engaging first-generation students through events and activities can build a network of support that enhances academic success and overall well-being. Local partnerships between educational institutions and community organizations also help provide resources such as mentorship programs, internships, and financial assistance.
Outreach programs that include workshops, informational sessions, and campus visits are crucial in demystifying the educational process for first-generation students and their families. Peer support networks offer first-generation students emotional support, academic assistance, and networking opportunities, fostering a sense of belonging and resilience.
Emotional and social support mechanisms help first-generation students build confidence and resilience. Measuring success in supporting first-generation students involves evaluating retention rates, graduation rates, academic performance, engagement levels, and qualitative assessments such as student surveys and focus groups.
Establishing a sense of belonging significantly enhances the academic experience and persistence of first-generation students in higher education. A collective commitment from educational entities and communities is essential to achieve true equity in education for first-generation students. Targeted support initiatives can lead to improved retention and graduation rates among first-generation students, ultimately fostering educational equity and success.
[1] Achieving the Dream. (2021). First-Generation Student Success. Retrieved from https://achievingthedream.org/our-work/student-success/first-generation-student-success/ [2] National Center for Education Statistics. (2021). First-Generation College Students: A National Portrait. Retrieved from https://nces.ed.gov/pubs2021/2021015.pdf [3] The Century Foundation. (2020). The First Generation Advantage: How Institutions Can Support First-Generation College Students. Retrieved from https://tcf.org/content/report/first-generation-advantage-how-institutions-can-support-first-generation-college-students/ [4] The Education Trust. (2020). The First-Generation Divide: How Low-Income, First-Generation Students are Left Behind in Higher Education. Retrieved from https://edtrust.org/resource/the-first-generation-divide-how-low-income-first-generation-students-are-left-behind-in-higher-education/
- To enrich the overall development of first-generation students, educational institutions are promoting education-and-self-development programs that include lifestyle courses, aimed at addressing their unique challenges and supporting their holistic growth.
- In the sphere of general-news, these institutions are collaborating with community organizations to establish literacy programs that provide additional academic resources and mentorship for first-generation students, aimed at fostering equitable educational opportunities and success.
