First Generation College students: The Student Affairs Professional Perspective By Tola Petgrave

Your first day on Campus!

Center for Academic Retention and Enrichment Services (CARES) Assists students with identifying and overcoming personal concerns, academic deficiencies, and life difficulties that could continue to impair their chances of succeeding in college. Helps students develop good study habits, self-management, and decision-making skills that increase retention and graduation rates for college students. C.A.R.E.S achieves these objectives by intrusive counseling, academic support, academic success seminar, early intervention reporting, and weekly progress reports.

Students Success Programs Student Success Programs (SSP) is made up of three programs that focus on retentions, persistence, and graduation. The three programs are: TRIO Classic, TRIO Stem, and First Scholars. First Scholars is a four-year program that is funded from a grant from the Suder foundation. It provides support to eligible first-time, full-time freshmen that commit to living on campus and full participation The selected students receive a $5,000 scholarship each year.

Students Success Programs 4 year cohort program that focuses specifically on this population 4 year cohort program that focuses specifically on this population Provides a holistic approach and controlled group of students to be able to impact and model the college experience Looks for the middle band of students Looks for the middle band of students 1 st year-orientation to the campus 2 nd year- focusing on leadership now that the student is connected, what can you do with the skills acquired? 3 rd year- focus on personal passion 4 th year- transitioning to a first generation professional

Interview Questions Describe your experience working with First Generation College students. How do you think these students interact with and experience the campus environment? Would you say there are any advantages or disadvantages in being a first generation college student? What is being done to address the concerns of these students? What prepared you for a career in working with this group of students, educationally or experience related? What advice would you give to a new student affairs professional in regards to working with first generation college students?

Interview with Shawn Boyd Shawn Boyd is a C.A.R.E.S counselor who teaches the Academic Success Seminar class (ACAD 2200). 70% of this class are first-generation college students Lack understanding of college as a whole Inability to meet the needs of this student population could result in academic probation or students just leaving the college with the belief that college is not for them.

Interview with Shea Houze The university received the grant in August 2011, she became the program coordinator in January 2012, and the first cohort came in Fall 2012 with 19 students., wrapping up the first full year. 41% of students on the college campus are first generation college students. Perceived support of parents as opposed to informed support Perceived support of parents as opposed to informed support Acts as a human resource that they can ask any kind of question, whether its academic advising, finances, counseling, or getting involved on campus.

Beyond College? A Graduate’s Perspective My perception of a successful first generation college student My perception of a successful first generation college student “ I would have been more successful if I had someone to go before me” “ I would have been more successful if I had someone to go before me” Transitioning between three schools Transitioning between three schools The impact in the professional world The impact in the professional world

Implication for the Student Affairs Professional Be open minded and avoid stereotypes (generalizations) Be open minded and avoid stereotypes (generalizations) Importance of telling our stories and being transparent, “ students always know when you have their best interest at heart ”. Importance of telling our stories and being transparent, “ students always know when you have their best interest at heart ”. Provide more purposeful programming Provide more purposeful programming Be intentional about staying current on scholarly research or trends in the needs of this student population Be intentional about staying current on scholarly research or trends in the needs of this student population Stop, look, listen and think Stop, look, listen and think Understand why we do this work and the needs of students and their families. Understand why we do this work and the needs of students and their families.

That’s All Folks! Questions/Comments?!