The purpose of this action research study was to investigate challenges to college success specific for first-generation undergraduate students at a public regional institution, and to improve their lived experiences via a first-generation student intervention in the form of a one-quarter student success course. Data collection in Cycle 1 of this…

Instruction and guidance in soft skills, such as writing and speaking, are important for successful training of the future chemical workforce. Relatedly, accessible knowledge transfer on the "hidden curriculum" is critical for student success this is especially important for first generation college students, international students, and…

Students in their first semester at university were asked to pose their own questions, known as quecture questions, for each learning topic. This was as part of their weekly preparation for flipped lectures on two parallel compulsory biology courses. Quecture questions are intended to engage students, particularly those with educational…

This study investigates the challenges and support systems impacting the success and perseverance of first-generation Latina college students. It emphasizes the critical role of family involvement and the cultural wealth within their communities, which have been overlooked in prior research. Utilizing interviews with first-generation Latina…

Undeclared students choose their major while enrolled in college, but major choice can have long-term implications on social mobility, career path, and lifetime earnings. Identity can play a role in the major selected by an undeclared student. This research analyzed the relationship between identity and major selection for undecided students to…

First-generation college students are a prominent higher education student population and are well-represented at the community college. Unfortunately, many first-generation community college students do not persist for degree completion. These students face many academic and social challenges that impact their persistence. However, research has…

The primary audience for this book is first-generation college students. Whether they are in two-year or four-year colleges, I give the readers an example of the power of a parent's dream, the positive and negative outcomes of a student's hard work, the stuff caring teachers and supportive school administrators are made of, and the significance of…

First-generation college students often experience disproportionate levels of stress, anxiety, and an overall lack of preparation for undergraduate education in comparison to their multigenerational peers. This can include differing levels of financial support and literacy. These differences can have a significant impact on these students' levels…

Institutions of higher education are often described as "ivory towers," places of privilege where students exist in a "campus bubble," insulated from the trials of the outside world. These metaphors reveal a widespread belief that college provides young people with stability and keeps insecurity at bay. But for many students,…

This study uses the Community Cultural Wealth (CCW) paradigm to describe the experiences of ten first-generation Latine students who transitioned from high school to a four-year Hispanic- Serving Institution. It enhances our comprehension of these learners' educational journeys by centering their descriptions of challenges faced in the transition…

Background: Low-income students face cultural and social challenges navigating college environments that privilege middle- and upper-class norms, knowledge, and values; these challenges lead to difficulty transitioning to college and disparities in student success for low-income students relative to their higher-income counterparts. Peer…

Entrenched in whiteness and toxic masculinity, the computing field makes it difficult for Latina students to see themselves in computing careers. This phenomenological study explored computing identity development for Latina students at a Hispanic-serving community college (HSCC). Latina students emphasized the importance of leveraging competence…

This study examines Latinx students' perceptions at Aspen University (AU), an emerging Hispanic Serving Institution (eHSI), highlighting how white normative standards and institutional practices impact their experiences. Utilizing Critical Whiteness, the research reveals themes of white normative spaces, segregated cultural affirmations, dominant…

Using qualitative methodology, 10 Black, first-generation female college students were studied at Predominately White Institution in Northern New Jersey. The study examined how Black, female, first-generation college students combined the diverging aspects of their home and school lives and the strategies they used to do so. The theoretical…

The purpose of my study was to understand the perceptions of first-generation female doctoral students (FGFDS) and what factors may impact first-generation female doctoral students' completion of their doctoral program. As the researcher, I collected data through: (a) interviews; (b) participant generated photographs; (c) the group meeting; and…