Presented by: Group 2 Jillian Fleming, Meredith Head, Samantha Hughes, David McConnell F IRST G ENERATION S TUDENTS

H ISTORY The term first generation coined by Fuji A. Adachi in early Definition of this type of student is continuing to change: “a student who is the first in his/her family (mother, father, or siblings) to complete a college education.” First generation students make up 40% of U.S. college population. More likely to come from low income background and minority groups.

B ACKGROUND First generation students are those students who have parent(s) who either did not attend college or did not earn a college degree. This type of student may attend college with limited knowledge of college life. Because of their family background, these students tend to: not fully embrace the college atmosphere and lifestyle not complete their program of study not consider a college degree important

C HARACTERISTICS OF F IRST G ENERATION S TUDENTS A student whose parents do not have a baccalaureate degree Lack of exposure Feel alienated Admissions process Educational aspirations Non residential

C HARACTERISTICS OF F IRST G ENERATION S TUDENTS Predisposition Search Stage Choice Stage

C HARACTERISTICS OF F IRST G ENERATION S TUDENTS Major Success Factors in the lives of First Generation Students Special Status Positive Naming Cross-Class Identification

E DUCATIONAL I MPLICATIONS (Tsai, 2013, p.6)

D IFFERENCES FOR C ERTAIN D EMOGRAPHICS First generation students have significant differences when compared to continuing generation students. Continuing Generations students (CGS) are defined as those who have at least one parent/guardian who has a completed college (Mehta, Newbold & O’Rourke, 2011).

C ONTINUING G ENERATION S TUDENT C HARACTERISTICS Much higher graduation rates than FGS Grew up around adults who completed college More involved in on campus activities More involved with their peers

C ONTINUING G ENERATION S TUDENT C HARACTERISTICS Higher family income level Adequate financial support from family Are more equipped to deal with college stress More likely to repay college loans

P ERSONAL E XPERIENCE “I feel like I really did start from the bottom, I didn’t have a lot of resources, but I’m here at GSU. Everyone has been so helpful, and I’ve learned that it’s okay to ask for help. I see my advisor as often as I can because I do not want to mess up and I want to keep my HOPE scholarship.” -Xavier Shead, 22 (October 22, 2013) “I am a first-generation student, my mom is not familiar with the college process, so when I started, I had no one to talk to. No one around me has been successful in college. College is hard but I want to graduate, not just for me but for my mother. She is the reason why I am here, even if she does not understand what I am going through, I am going to make her proud.” -Johan Jean, 35 (October 24, 2013) “ My brother and I are the first people in my family to attend college. My parents have always been proactive about education, so they spent a lot of time with my high school counselor to make sure when I got here I would be successful.” -Courtni Drisker, 20 (October 24, 2013)

“H OW T O ” FOR E DUCATORS High School: ● Identify first generation students and mentor them on the overall college process. ● Stress the benefits of honors and AP courses. ● Reach out to students’ families. They can be very influential in the selection process and can contribute to overall success. College: ● Get to know students through classroom introductions. Some students may explain their first generation background. ● Reach out to all students (not just first generation students) about particular clubs or programs you are involved in or advise. ● Be open about class expectations, grading, and due dates. ● Promote first generation student programs. Some schools have specific success programs directed toward this student group.

“H OW T O ” FOR S TUDENTS ● Ask for help. Many first generation students get lost in the testing and application process. ● Use all of your resources, including teachers, not just counselors. They can sometimes offer a different perspective. ● Get involved on campus. Participating in academic and recreational programs can enhance the college experience. ● Go to orientation sessions or join a first generation student club if your school offers one. ● Ask questions. Professors should be open about their expectations, don’t assume that you know all of the answers. ● Be proud of your accomplishments!

C ONCLUSION First generation students make up a large percentage of U.S. student population. First generation students are less likely to complete degree programs for a variety of reasons. These students tend not to immerse themselves in the college “experience” despite having high educational aspirations. This student group tends to have more financial issues compared to their continuing generation counterparts. Many first generation students have problems with the college “process,” which can affect degree completion and persistence. Adequate assistance at the high school and college levels greatly promotes degree completion.

R EFERENCES Balemian, K. & Feng, J. (2013, July 13). First generation students: College aspirations, preparedness and challenges [Lecture slides]. Retrieved from college-aspirations-preparedness-challenges.pdf College Board. (n.d.). First-generation students. Retrieved from Hodges, Jacqueline La-Von. "The Effects of First-Generation Status upon the First-Year College Success Patterns of Students Attending an Urban Multi-Campus Community College." Ann Arbor: ProQuest. Web. 16 Oct Jenkins, S. (2006). Assessing student outcomes for first-generation, low-income students in rural georgia.EDUCATIONAL TALENT SEARCH, Retrieved from Mehta, S. S., Newbold, J. J., & O'Rourke, M. A. (2011). Why do first-generation students fail?. College Student Journal, 45(1), Payne, K. (2007, January 31). First-Generation College Students: Their Challenges and the Advising Strategies That Can Help. The Mentor: An Academic Advising Journal. Retrieved October 16, 2013, from Sierra Nevada College. (n.d.). First generation program. Retrieved from generation-program/ Tsai T. Coursework-Related Information Horizons of First-Generation College Students. Information Research: An International Electronic Journal [serial online]. December 1, 2012;17(4)Available from: ERIC, Ipswich, MA. Accessed October 21, 2013.