First Generation Students - University of Dallas
- First Generation StudentsOn this page, we have collected resources to help our first-generation students, who are pioneers in their families on this college journey, to flourish at UD.
A first-generation college student is defined as a student whose parent(s)/legal guardian(s) have not completed a bachelor's degree in the United States.
First Generation Students - Selected Titles
The First Generation Student Experience
LC 148.2 .D38 2010
At the Intersection
LC 4069.6 .A82 2021
Suggested Videos, Online Resources, and Readings
- Examining First-Generation College Student Lived Experiences with Microaggressions and Microaffirmations at a Predominately White Public Research University Studies have described the experiences of racial microaggressions in everyday life and on college campuses, yet prior research has not explored how microaggressions and microaffirmations are experienced by students who are first in their family to attend college. Method: This qualitative investigation of 296 open-ended survey responses described the lived experiences of first-generation college students at a large, public, predominately White institution. Results: Students experienced microaggressions in the form microinsults, microassaults, and microinvalidations, and microaffirmations in the form of microsupports, microcompliments, and microvalidations on campus. Conclusions: Study implications include the development and implementation of regular positive and intentional communications by faculty, staff, and peers on college campuses.
- First-Generation College Student's Perceived Barriers and Career Outcome Expectations The current study explores contextual factors that contribute to the linkage between perceived barriers and career outcome expectations of first-generation college students (FGCS).
- First Generation Business Students Attitudes Towards Learning in Small Liberal Arts Colleges First-generation students are faced with different challenges when joining the institutions of higher learning. Some of the experiences encountered by these students when entering these institutions can disorient them in a manner that affects their learning abilities. For this reason, it is necessary to come up with an approach that enhances their preparedness in joining these institutions. Both the first-generation students and the institutions which they plan to join must be well prepared in handling the challenges that are to be faced.
- First Generation College Student's Perceptions of an Academic Retention Program This qualitative study examines the perceptions of students enrolled in a campus-based program designed to promote academic success and retention of first generation college students. Method: Twenty-five undergraduate students in the program participated in focus groups and interviews to share their perceptions and experiences. Research team members conducted a thematic analysis on the focus groups and interviews transcripts. Findings: Students reported program components that contributed to their academic success and retention including support, expectations, resources, and preparation. Students also described concerns about how students' needs changed over time and how students in the program were perceived on campus.
- Motivating First-Generation Students to Academic Success and College Completion Institutions play an important role in motivating students by understanding intrinsic and extrinsic factors that motivate students to remain in college. Postsecondary institutions should provide a range of programs to help these students face their challenges and weaknesses. Colleges and universities should escalate the process of creating bridge programs that link higher education to secondary education. These experiences provide academic and social pathways that assist first-generation students overcome inadequate preparation for college. It is recommended using creative approaches to motivate students, such as field trips, presentations by other first-generation college students, and collaborative planning for transition could benefit this population of students.
- Moving from Access to Success: How First-Generation Students of Color can Build Resilience in Higher Education Through Mentorship In recent years, the enrollment of first-generation students of color in higher education has increased across the nation, reflecting a slight improvement in college access for them. However, first-generation students of color continue to face a variety of challenges which impede their social and academic success and contribute to low retention rates at the university. In this article, I propose a holistic approach to mentorship to support first-generation students of color in their transition to college.
- Peer Mentoring to Support First-Generation Low-Income College StudentsMatching incoming college students with older peers like them can help ease their transition and show them a way to persist when the path gets tought.
- The First-Year Experience Movment: History, Practice, and Implications for Student Development Professionals This article explores the First-Year Experience movement’s origins and influence on curricular and co-curricular practice in higher education.