The authors reflect on their work in designing, executing, and evaluating undergraduate research experiences (UREs) that serve students of color, first-generation students, and low-income students. They assert that additional support is needed to prepare students as their cultures and identities intersect with their disciplinary learning and the…

For new-majority students (traditionally underrepresented minority, first-generation, and low-income students) who are less likely to have access to support systems, learning how to navigate the often hidden facets of academia can be a challenge. Providing programming that helps students learn how to navigate the academic landscape as they…

By expanding admissions processes to carefully consider students from first-generation and low-income backgrounds, honors programs and colleges not only increase the diversity of their programs and add richness and depth to their classes, but they also make a significant difference in the individual lives of the students who enroll. Recruiting…

In India, the inequality in education from the perspective of first-generation learners has drawn little attention. So there is an urgent need to pay attention on the issue of how robust is the effect of first generation in causing educational inequality as the first-generation students are typically confronted with the dynamics of caste-based…

New England has a rich history of innovation and economic prosperity due, in part, to the fact that the region is home to some of the nation's most prestigious higher education institutions as well as a wide array of other postsecondary offerings. Nearly 60% of the students that Thomas College, Maine, serves are "first-generation"…

Mothers are a significant but overlooked subpopulation of college students. One-fourth of all undergraduate students are parents raising children, and the vast majority of these parents are women, yet very few research studies have been conducted on parents or mothers in higher education. This narrative inquiry study looks at how mother-students…

The purpose of this study was to complete a mixed-methods comparative analysis of first-generation and non-first-generation students in the Midwest to determine potential differences between students' college satisfaction, retention factors, college selection, college experience, and deciding factors on attending college at private, public, and…

About seven million undergraduates annually rely on federal loans to enroll in and complete college. While many successfully repay their loans, some struggle to stay on top of their payments and end up defaulting after 270 or more days of non-payment. Defaulting on a loan has several serious consequences, including adding significantly to the cost…

This report summarizes findings from research conducted as part of the "Changing the Narrative" pilot project, which aims to make the college transition easier by developing messaging, media and interactive tools that resonate with prospective students and their families. The project is especially targeted at underrepresented groups in…

Despite widespread efforts to address barriers to college success, low-income and first-generation students continue to complete college at substantially lower rates that their more advantaged peers. A review of causal research to date has linked comprehensive interventions (e.g. programs that provide students with a combination of financial,…

In the context of ongoing discussions about student costs of non-credit developmental writing, this study reports on the affordances of Basic Writing as a traditional, stand-alone course at a career-focused, four-year university. Participants were students who took Basic Writing and Composition 1 between Fall 2011 and Spring 2013 (N = 2,693) in…

The sudden transition from in-person to virtual learning during the spring 2020 semester posed challenges for students and faculty alike. This paper explores the techniques used by faculty to transform the chemistry and biochemistry curriculum at a Hispanic-serving institution with a significant proportion of first-generation students and the…

Machine learning algorithms have recently been used to predict students' performance in an introductory physics class. The prediction model classified students as those likely to receive an A or B or students likely to receive a grade of C, D, F or withdraw from the class. Early prediction could better allow the direction of educational…

Aim/Purpose: This study aims to explore levels of Technological Access (ownership, access to, and usage of computer devices as well as access to Internet services) and levels of Technological Efficacy (technology related skills) as they pertain to underserved (UNS) and underrepresented (UNR) students. Background: There exists a positive…

Transitioning from high school to college is a challenging time for young adults and can be more difficult for first generation students. In some cases, adolescents are assisted by community assets (coaches, teachers, church/family members) and community-based leadership education programs. This combination may provide youth with critical skills…