1. 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

2. About the Presenters Melanie Harris First-Year & Transitions Programs Georgia State University mharris80@gsu.edu Chris Hein First-Year & Transitions Programs Georgia State University chein@gsu.edu

3. 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

4. Framework

5. 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

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

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

8. 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

9. Discussion

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

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

12. Discussion Other Parent & Family Initiatives

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

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

15. Discussion How can we best use parents as allies?

16. References College Student Journal | College Prep Blueprint for Bridging & Scaffolding Incoming Freshmen: Practices that Work https://www.questia.com/library/p1917/college-student-journal Educational Evaluation & Policy Analysis | Keeping At-Risk Students in School: A Systematic Review of College Retention Programs http://eepa.aera.net/ The Washington Post | First-generation college students are not succeeding in college, and money isn't the problem. https://www.washingtonpost.com/posteverything/wp/2016/01/20/first-generation- 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 http://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED504448.pdf Research in Higher Education Journal | An Examination of the Impact of Early Intervention on Learning Outcomes of At-Risk Students http://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1055303.pdf