COVID-19 Impact on First-gen Students in TRIO at North Carolina A&T State University

TRIO Student Support Services has been on the campus of North Carolina A&T State University since the 90's. The primary focus has been and continues to be to provide academic support and coaching for first-generation/low-income and students with disabilities. Through these support services, the funded groups have seen tremendous improvement in retention/good academic standing and graduation rates. 

Over the past 11 years, the TRIO SSS program, directed by Chantal Fleming, has been very intentional about partnering with various campus units to provide both rigorous Summer Bridge components for incoming freshmen and a Living Learning Component for that same targeted group of first-gen students during their first year on campus. These partnerships have given this group an enhanced experience and paved the way to see both increased retention and graduation rates.

We asked a few students about their experience as first-generations students during this pandemic of COVID-19. The following discussion is based on the results and how we will continue to aid in the success of these students. The classification of survey respondents, beyond being first generation, included: freshmen (9), sophomores (3), juniors (2), seniors (4), and first semester transfers (4). 

It is important that we continue to gain the feedback of students and work together to give them an experience that is still worth enjoying during this time.

Campus Life Experience 

Our students are struggling with the idea of limited engagement with peers and the campus community. One student stated, “I had expectations to experience many different activities on campus; however, there are not many activities going on right now”.  This is a common response when speaking with first-year students, specifically. Building relationships was a common theme from survey respondents who identified as freshmen/first year students.  Sophomores discussed wanting to get more involved on campus through clubs/organizations, attending football games and homecoming–just really wanting to enhance their social life during this academic year.  Juniors discussed being disappointed with nothing to do except for “lots of work.”  Seniors, who mostly lived off campus, made comments such as “[campus activities are] nonexistent, nothing social, campus is not the same.” Lastly, our first semester transfer students were eager “to enjoy the ‘home away from home’ feeling everyone talks about” and enjoy campus activities. 

Academic College Experience

Similar to the pivot that students experienced, faculty and staff also had to make changes to accommodate the new normal that COVID-19 required. Faculty and staff were required to react to the swift changes in their professional environment while also navigating what it meant for their home life. While the University had an online presence for distance learning, moving courses to 100% online format in a matter of weeks was extremely challenging. One faculty member noted “Teaching load or time commitment doubled; more work has to be put in to develop materials available for online teaching.” Faculty also had to react to students not having the same technological capabilities as home. “Students didn't have access to a good computer, internet connection, or stable software.” The inequity in student home resources was a considerable factor in assessment and required flexibility of thought and tradition. In addition to faculty concerns, staff also had major adjustments in making sure students received quality support services. The very personal nature of academic advising, new student and transfer orientation, and welcome weeks all had a new look and feel. 

We understand the expectations our students had prior to this academic year and the reality of how COVID-19 has drastically changed the course of their involvement, as well as that of faculty/staff. It is important that we continue to gain the feedback of students and work together to give them an experience that is still worth enjoying during this time. We hope that our Celebration of First-Generation students in November will provide a sense of belonging, even in a virtual space. We are committed to navigating this academic year (as any year) together to ensure that our students succeed both academically and socially, because that’s what Aggies Do!

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For more information on North Carolina A&T State University's approach, please visit their website here.