First-generation students, who represent more than 40% of entering college freshmen, have lower academic achievement and struggle to persist compared to their continuing-generation peers. Although previous studies have repeatedly shown a deficit model for first-generation students, there is still a lack of clear understanding about the…

To close the achievement gap between first and continuing generation students, several interventions that specifically target first-generation students have been designed and delivered in a variety of settings. These interventions are typically intended to promote wellness and support academic achievement in students' college careers, which in…

The role of social capital in the creation of human capital may be a significant factor limiting the college readiness and completion of underrepresented populations. After fifty years of increasing educational intervention programs, underrepresented populations still have the lowest rates of college completion and poverty still hovers around 14%.…

I analyze interview data collected from 16 students who were involved in a student-led group for low-income, first-generation, and/or working-class (LIFGWC) students at an elite liberal arts college. I find that students' assumed class identities on campus are tied to their racial identities. Specifically, students of color are overwhelmingly…

The news is full of growing doubt about the ability of the higher education systems to provide people with paths to a good life. Crushing loan debt, low completion rates, and an uncertain return on investment are among the concerns. Low-income young people, who have the most to gain in earnings from a college degree, fare the worst. Since 2002, an…

First generation college students, defined as students whose parents did not attend or complete education after high school, currently make up about one in three college undergraduates. First generation students often face difficulties adapting to the college environment and find their identities challenged in efforts to find success. Much…

This study was designed to understand the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the family's role in their students' college experiences. Specifically, the authors examined parents' attitudes towards institutions' COVID-19 decision-making, parents' perceptions of communication quality between families and institutions during the COVID-19…

The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program provides legal protection to enhance access for a narrow subcategory of undocumented immigrants. Following the presidential election, a series of actions have pushed many of these recipients into limbo, leading to uncertainty and fear for these young students. This case study examined the…

The California Community College System is an entry point for the majority of first-generation college students. This case study of a community college in Southern California examined the experiences and motivations of both Latinx students in their major/career decision-making process and the community college counseling faculty who serve, educate…

(Purposes) There are two purposes of this history. The first was to describe how the EOA National Best Practices Clearinghouse identified, described, and evaluated evidence that was focused on effective educational practices for Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) and TRIO students who were economically…

Mental health continues to be a pressing issue in society as people continue to struggle with social misperceptions about what is mental health or the label of having a mental health diagnosis. These are some of the variables that continue to feed into the stigma associated with mental health that prevents college students from seeking services.…

Mentoring demonstrably increases the retention of undergraduate and graduate students and is moreover invaluable in shaping and nurturing academic careers. With the increasing diversification of the student body and of faculty ranks, there's a clear need for culturally responsive mentoring across these dimensions. Recognizing the low priority that…

The purpose of this study was to determine the self-identified needs of first-generation, low income and/or students with learning or physical disabilities who participated in a TRIO Student Support Program (SSS) at a rural Texas community college. Student Retention and persistence in higher education have been topics of research for years. Tinto…

Peer mentoring and associated programs have gained prominence due to demonstrated positive effects on student retention and matriculation, but scant research exists on voluntary peer academic coaching as part of a peer mentoring program. This study was conducted for two purposes: to describe the demographics of students who register to participate…

Understanding first-generation students' salient experiences in preparing for college is key for educators to engage in transformative college readiness efforts. The purpose of this qualitative study was to understand the perspectives and experiences of a sample of first-generation college-bound high school students. Five themes and four subthemes…