This study examined inequalities in college knowledge across the high school years. Twelfth graders had significantly more college knowledge than ninth and 10th graders. Although college knowledge increased during high school among both first- and continuing-generation college-going students, we found significant between-group differences.…

This study addresses the need to better understand community college students' varied enrollment behaviors and experiences in the context of the national college completion agenda, current research, and retention theory. The purpose of this study was to explore the stop-out experiences of part-time and fluidly enrolled, low-income,…

First generation college students (FGCS) have a multitude of responsibilities both academic and personal. Most nursing programs are challenging and may result in not every student passing the preset nursing curricula. Consider being a FGCS who is eagerly pursuing a nursing degree but fails to meet matriculation. For those FGCS in nursing who,…

The purpose of the current study was to determine if participation in a TRIO program at the community college would lead to academic success for transfer students at the 4-year university. Specifically, the researcher collected data for students who participated in a TRIO program at a community college from 2010-2020 to see if they had higher…

The purpose of this quantitative study was to determine how well the use of transparent assignment design, based on the Transparency in Learning and Teaching (TILT) framework, worked in introductory special education courses for preservice teachers at a public comprehensive university located in a rural area of the southeastern United States. In…

Creating and sustaining a supportive sociocultural institutional ethos for academic success among first-generation, underrepresented undergraduates (FGUU) is crucial to promote equity in Christian higher education. FGUU tend to underperform at higher rates than their continuing-generation peers. Research (including the lack thereof) indicates a…

Students who are first-in-family to attend university, and those who are otherwise without family support, are reported to be at increased risk of social isolation, poor mental health and non-continuation through transition points in their higher education journeys. Three London-based universities and a specialist National Health Service mental…

This study examines how one Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution (AANAPISI) supported the success of their Southeast Asian American students (SEAA) by increasing their social capital through their institutional and caring agents. Analysis of 42 focus group participants and 35 qualitative narratives highlighted…

STEM disciplines have historically excluded individuals based on race, gender, sexuality, ethnicity, and class. African women, particularly those who are the first in their families to attend university (First-Generation Students, FGS), face significant challenges in accessing and succeeding in these fields. Although FGS encompass diverse…

The literature on first-generation college students largely focuses on the challenges and barriers they may experience in college. Yet, we do not have a clear understanding of who these students are as learners. To address this gap, this systematic review examines how scholars study and conceptualize first-generation college students as learners.…

The purpose of this qualitative case study was to investigate how Latinx students perceive the campus climate in curricular and cocurricular settings at a four-year public Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) in Texas. In addition, the study examined Latinx students' understanding of the HSI designation and how their expectations of institutional…

Mental health and attainment gaps comprise dual crises on today's college and university campuses, especially for first-generation and low-income students. Despite the common history and heritage of spirituality and religious foundations of America's colleges and universities, current norms and preferences have rendered candid discussions of…

The authors examined three motivational factors (first-year grade expectations, present-focused time perspective, and future-focused time perspective) as predictors of achievement and retention outcomes for students (N = 844) in their first semester at a predominately Hispanic-serving community college, accounting for student background…

This study examines the relationship between student success measures on student achievement to inform our approach to mediating against potential barriers on persistence and retention for first generation and traditionally marginalized populations for students enrolled in a new Living Learning Community. Success measures examine those beyond the…

The rapid and unprecedented shift from face-to-face instruction to remote online learning as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic had a substantial impact on teaching and learning in Higher Education: students had to adapt to a new way of learning, away from typical campus settings and their peers, and to new forms of assessments. This study…