First-generation Students in Community and Technical Colleges

Community and technical colleges are critical access points for higher education, particularly for first-generation college students. To understand the current state of first-generation student support programs and services at community and technical colleges across the United States, the Center for First-generation Student Success partnered with Phase Two Advisory to interview institution leaders, administrators, student services staff, and first-generation students and collect data from a national survey. In total, 38 two-year institutions across 22 states, as well as 23 first-generation students through focus groups at eight institutions, are represented in our qualitative data. We also gathered survey responses from 197 faculty, administrators, and thought leaders across 156 two-year institutions.

 

Suggested citation: Mechur Karp, M., Cormier, M., Whitley, S. E., Umbarger-Wells, S. M., & Wesaw, A. (2020). First-generation students in community and technical colleges: A national exploration of institutional support practices. Center for First-generation Student Success; NASPA–Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education; Phase Two Advisory. https://firstgen.naspa.org/research-and-policy/community-and-technical-college-report

Full Report

CC Landscape Report Full

First-generation Students in Community and Technical Colleges: A National Exploration of Institutional Support Practices features the perspectives of administrators and student services practitioners who work daily to improve first-generation student outcomes, the voices of first-generation community and technical college students reflecting on their unique experiences, and analyses of the programs and approaches these institutions offer in support of first-generation student success.

Full Report   
Executive Summary

Key Findings

CC Findings: Fg Definition

Each structural approach has different pros and cons.

CC: Be Intensional in recruitment

Be intentional in recruitment efforts.

CC: There are different ways to implement “first-generation support for all.

There are different ways to implement “first-generation support for all.”

CC: Intentional universal design has strong potential

Intentional universal design has strong potential

CC: Formal services are a gateway to the types

Formal services are a gateway to the types of support first-generation students need most.

Press Release

This report presents findings from a national exploration conducted by the Center for First-generation Student Success, an initiative of NASPA and The Suder Foundation, in partnership with Phase Two Advisory.

Press Release