Research & Policy

Dedicated first-generation research allows for evidence-based decision-making that is critical to student success. This section highlights both foundational research and recent scholarship that informs understanding of the student experience, institutional approaches to programming, and identification of supports and barriers for first-generation students. Timely updates on public policy discussions shaping first-generation student success are also provided. In addition to the filters below, please utilize the “search” bar in the top, right corner to search by keyword, author name, or publication title.

Educational Predictors for International Students in the US

Drawing on frameworks from marketing research literature, this study indicates that educational service augmenters are significantly related to international students’ academic adjustment.

Journal of Comparative & International Higher Education / December 2019

First Year Research Experience (FYRE)

This chapter details the First Year Research Experience (FYRE) program at Montana State University, describing the intent and design of the program.

New Directions for Higher Education / December 2019

College Students’ Sense of Belonging: A National Perspective

In a nationally representative sample, first-year U.S. college students “somewhat agree,” on average, that they feel like they belong at their school.

Educational Researcher / December 2019

Supporting Today’s Students in the Library

This book collects current strategies from all types of academic libraries for retaining and graduating nontraditional students, with many of them based on learning theories and teaching methodologies.

Tran & Higgins / December 2019

A Cross-Institutional Study of Instructional Characteristics and Student Outcomes

This article examines the relationship between these instructional characteristics, sometimes referred to as indicators of online course quality, and their relationship to student outcomes for all students and for underrepresented students.

Online Learning / December 2019

First-generation students’ information literacy in everyday contexts

The findings in this study reveal a variety of funds of knowledge concerning participants’ information literacy (IL) and lay the foundation for IL instruction that meets first-generation students where they are, thus serving them more equitably.

Journal of Information Literacy / December 2019

The Influence of Peer and Parental Norms on First-generation College Students

The current study compared the binge drinking trajectories of first-generation and continuing-generation students over their first three semesters.

Addictive Behaviors / December 2019

Enrollment patterns and student performance in online classes

In this quantitative study, researchers analyzed four years of institutional data during summer terms at a large public research university to show that certain characteristics can influence student enrollment by course modality.

The Internet and Higher Education / November 2019

Perceived Classroom Competition on the Experiences of First-Gen Students

A longitudinal study found that perceived classroom competition was associated with greater daily in-class imposter feelings among all students—but especially among first-generation students.

Social Psychological and Personality Science / November 2019

Assets-Based Learning Abroad: First-Generation Latinx College Students

This qualitative study counters deficit narratives about first-generation Latinx students by exploring multiple forms of community cultural wealth.

Frontiers: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Study Abroad / November 2019

Testing a critical cultural wealth model of well-being among first-gen students

This study's findings suggest that first-generation students’ sense of career choice and life satisfaction is predicted primarily by feelings of work volition and belonging on campus.

Journal of Counseling Psychology / November 2019

Intersections of Ethnic and Socioeconomic Identities Associated with Well‐Being

In this study, the authors analyzed how the intersection of ethnic identity and SES identity is associated with well‐being among 19‐ to 27‐ year old, working‐class, Latinx college women.

Journal of Social Issues / November 2019

Social Class Differences in Social Integration at University

In this chapter, the authors review recent research that shows that working-class students’ lack of integration at university is associated with academic outcomes and mental health.

Rubin, Evans, & McGuffog / November 2019

Clearing the Path for First-Generation Students

Clearing the Path for First-Generation College Students

This book takes a holistic approach by exploring the ways in which first-generation college students are influenced by, and engage with, their families and communities of origin as they undertake their educational careers.

Rondini, Richards, & Simon / November 2019

First Principles: Designing Services for First-Generation Students

Drawing on a multidisciplinary literature review and a survey of high school counselors’ experiences advising first-generation students, the current study identifies common needs and challenges of first-generation students and provides correlated recommendations for how libraries can best equip themselves to meet those needs.

College & Research Libraries / November 2019

Improving Academic Performance, Belonging, and Retention

This study begins to characterize the importance of combining pedagogical methods that promote both academic success and belonging to effectively improve retention in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics majors.

CBE—Life Sciences Education / November 2019

Career Choice among First-Generation, Minority STEM Students

In this article, researchers explored how culturally-specific realities impacted students’ career choices using Social Cognitive Career Theory (SCCT) as a guiding framework.

Journal of Microbiology & Biology Education / October 2019

Philanthropy in Higher Education: Priorities and Approaches

Findings in this report indicate that top priorities of private foundations that give to higher education include access and success for low-income, first-generation students.

Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors & TIAA Institute / October 2019