This qualitative case study explores student and staff perceptions of whether and how participation in pre-enrollment summer transition programs influenced the sense of belonging and preparedness of first-generation and limited-income students in their first year of college. These summer transition programs are provided as part of the Kessler…

Increasing access to higher education for lower income students is an important goal. However, increasing socioeconomic (SE) diversity on a college campus without addressing the marginalization of students from less-advantaged SE backgrounds can impact students' academic and social outcomes. In this article, the authors study marginalization of…

This qualitative single case study explored the lived experience of a first-generation Latino college student in a four-year higher education setting, who despite obstacles, persisted in college. The study revealed the need for a supportive system, both in and out of school, with an understanding and respect for the culture. Moreover, the findings…

Social adjustment to college can be challenging, and social networking sites (SNSs) may ease the process. SNSs as an adjustment tool may be particularly useful for those who have relatively limited social support in their proximal environments, such as first-generation college students. This study explored how first-generation and continuing…

Rural first-generation college students (FGCSs) encounter complications in college that are often the result of a lack of college readiness, difficulty adjusting to new communities, and the absence of a support network. This study explored the parental support that promoted retention of rural FGCSs attending a small, private university, where…

The principles of diversity and inclusion are valued across the higher education sector, but the ways in which these principles are translated into pedagogic practice are not always evident. Students who are first in their family to attend university continue to report barriers to full participation in university life. They are more likely to…

Universities have increasingly adopted "first-generation status" as a new category for addressing equity in higher education, especially in the UK and Australia. This category targets students whose parents do not have a university degree and therefore are "newcomers" to higher education. While the category is well-intentioned,…

The purpose of this dissertation was to understand the experiences of first-generation Latina doctoral students through their educational journey. Included in this dissertation were Latina doctoral students who identified as Mexican-American, were first generation students and attended the doctoral program part time. Each participant was still in…

First-generation African American students often find it challenging transitioning from high school to college. Despite facing challenges, many of these students enroll and persist to degree attainment. The purpose of this study is to explore the lived experiences of first-generation African American college students at PWIs. This qualitative,…

First-generation college (FGC) students make up a majority of college campuses (NCES, 2018). FGC students face barriers that may affect their academic persistence in college (Darling & Scandlyn-Smith, 2007; Pascarella et al., 2012; Schelbe et al., 2019). Catholic colleges and universities have a distinct mandate to serve FGC students but…

When compared to Blacks, Asians, and Whites, Latinxs have lower rates of educational attainment at every level from secondary education to advanced postsecondary degrees (Ryan and Bauman 2016). This study focuses on Latinx first generation college students and uses Yosso's Community Cultural Wealth (CCW) theory to illuminate the ways this…

This qualitative descriptive study explored how first-generation college students (FGCS) describe their academic help-seeking (AHS) processes at a large first-generation college student serving university in Southern California. FGCS are less likely to retain than their counterparts and can benefit from support with academic help-seeking. This…

In this study, I focus on the personal experiences of Latinx students who have attended San Francisco Bay Area public high schools. My research illuminates the positive and negative experiences within the public school system for Latinx, allowing students to have a voice and share their truth. I conducted used semi-structured interviews, focus…

Academic advisors are an integral part of the undergraduate college student experience. Primarily recognized as one of the first connections to an institution that a college student encounters, academic advisors provide students with guidance, support, resources, and mentorship throughout a student's academic journey at the institution. Although…

Identity is multidimensional and intertwined in every aspect our perception of self and how we interact in the world around us. A greater sense of awareness and understanding of our identity brings about purpose and meaning to our lives. However, individuals who are unaware of their identity are prone to disruptions in their development. This…