Working with Parents of First-Generation and Academically At-Risk Students Second Annual Georgia First-Year & Transition Studies Conference Friday, March 25, 2016 | Kennesaw State University

About the Presenters Melanie Harris First-Year & Transitions Programs Georgia State University Chris Hein First-Year & Transitions Programs Georgia State University

Learning Objectives Participants will be able to:  Implement strategies discussed to better serve parents academically at-risk and first-generation students  Compare initiatives discussed versus what they are currently doing at their institutions  Illustrate best practices and strategies utilized at their own institutions  Identify unique challenges experienced by students and parents at their university

Framework

GSU Programs Gen1: First-Generation Success Programs  Pre-College Support  Partner with Undergraduate Admissions to create firstgen.gsu.edu  Workshop Series  Social Events  Coca-Cola Scholars  Recognition  Mentorship Panther Excellence Program (PEP) & Success Academy  Two-Semester Program or  Early Summer Admission  Workshop Series  Monthly Cohort Meetings  Academic Coaching  Supplemental Instruction  Faculty/Staff Mentoring

Who are first- generation students?  Mixed definitions  "Coming out"  Increase in Numbers

Who are academically at-risk students?  Underprepared or under supported:  Socially  Financially  Academically

Trends First-Generation Students  Nearly one-third of students entering two or four year college are first-generation  More likely to be minorities  Less likely to graduate  Shift our focus:  Enhance academic preparation prior to college  Provide additional financial aid  Improve transfer rates into college  Ease transition into college life  Encourage campus engagement  Entry into workforce Academically At-Risk Students  Less likely to receive mentoring from faculty than high-performers  Gender plays a strong role in future performance  Often unaware of their risk status  College instructors are noticing an increase in underprepared first-year students

Discussion

How does your university define first-generation and/or academically at-risk ?

Discussion What trends have you noticed at your institution and how are you currently addressing these concerns?

Discussion Other Parent & Family Initiatives

Discussion How do we celebrate admittance to the university while addressing academic challenges students might face?

Discussion How do you communicate with parents about a student’s work-school-life balance ?

Discussion How can we best use parents as allies?

References College Student Journal | College Prep Blueprint for Bridging & Scaffolding Incoming Freshmen: Practices that Work Educational Evaluation & Policy Analysis | Keeping At-Risk Students in School: A Systematic Review of College Retention Programs The Washington Post | First-generation college students are not succeeding in college, and money isn't the problem. college-students-are-not-succeeding-in-college-and-money-isnt-the-problem/ Pell Institute | Moving Beyond Access- College Success for Low- Income, First- Generation Students Research in Higher Education Journal | An Examination of the Impact of Early Intervention on Learning Outcomes of At-Risk Students