The experiences of Latino male students are oftentimes consolidated with those of other student populations from similar backgrounds. While the research on Latino males has been slowly expanding to include their varied experiences, it has been mostly characterized by a deficit-oriented narrative focusing on their challenges rather than their…

This study examines the experiences of first generation college students at a rural university campus on the Southern Plains through narrative inquiry. Respondents who were recent graduates or who were about to graduate shared their stories through an interview and drawing process. Their interview responses indicate how they chose to attend this…

Recent decades have seen a proliferation of programs that target first-generation college students, often low-income or minority students, for recruitment to college or that aim to improve campus participation and retention among these populations. Such programs simultaneously address themselves toward academic performance and the conditions of…

College students who interact with professors and peers about academic matters have better college outcomes. Although institutional factors influence engagement, prior scholarship has not systematically examined whether class sizes affect students' academic interactions, nor whether race or first-generation status moderate such effects. We…

There is a growing demand for degreed science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) professionals, but the production of degreed STEM students is not keeping pace. Problems exist at every juncture along the pipeline. Too few students choose to major in STEM disciplines. Many of those who do major in STEM drop out or change majors.…

Medical schools are increasingly faced with a more diverse student population. Generally, ethnic minority students are reported to underperform compared with those from the ethnic majority. However, there are inconsistencies in findings in different types of examinations. Additionally, little is known about the performance of first-generation…

The findings from 3 qualitative research studies related to first-generation college students show themes of strains in family relationships and lack of practical familial support. One study reveals sources of resiliency and persistence of graduate students; another explores sense of belonging for undergraduates attending 3 types of private…

A college education is an essential component to obtaining many successful careers which lead to financial stability. Entering college can be a stressful transition that involves academic, emotional, and social adjustments for adolescents, and can be especially challenging for first-generation college students. A wealth of research has found that…

The purpose of this study was to further investigate how one successful comprehensive high school serving a large percentage of Latino students builds college-going culture. The study examined two perspectives on college-going culture; that of the school staff (including administrators, school counselors, and teacher leaders), and of…

This document records testimony from a hearing held to discuss strategies for improving postsecondary access and completion for low-income and first-generation students. The hearing served as an opportunity to learn about efforts to pioneer new strategies and study the effectiveness of existing strategies so that more disadvantaged students can…

Purpose: The purpose of this directory was to identify, describe, and evaluate evidence that the education practices improve academic performance, close the achievement gap, and improve persistence towards graduation for low-income, first-generation, and historically-underrepresented 6th grade through college students. Method: The sample for the…

First-generation college students are viewed as a group of at-risk individuals simply because their parents did not attend college. As a result, these students are at a higher risk of dropping out than other college students if their needs are not met. A number of researchers have conducted studies of first-generation college students in order to…

Over the past few decades, institutions of higher education have experienced an increase in the enrollment of women, people of color, and those of lower socioeconomics. The literature suggests that some students from these populationsfirst-generation college students (FGCS)have contributed to a decrease in college retention. To address persistence…

This quantitative study explored the obstacles African American male students face that can hinder their academic progress at community colleges within the rural regions of Louisiana. This study viewed the collective experiences of African American males in community colleges in order to improve their academic outcomes, completion, and retention…

Higher education institutions play an important role in the transmission of cultural capital which often emphasize the knowledge and skills that help students persist. Cultural capital is defined as the knowledge an individual develops over time from socialization that inform cultural skills and characteristics. According to the literature,…