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An Initiative Of NASPA and The Suder Foundation

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.

defining first gen
A Critical Review of LIS Literature on First-Generation Students

This review identifies four predominant themes in the literature: FGS as outsiders, as a problem, as reluctant library users, and as capable students.

Johns Hopkins University Press / January 2019
group of students sitting
Measuring Opportunity in U.S. Higher Education

This study shows that it is possible to create benchmarks that actually measure what they are intended to measure and is informative about all, not just low-income, students.

National Bureau of Economic Research / January 2019
students on computer
Expressive innovation: How first-year college students introduced emoticons to the curriculum

The study shows how first-year students used an interactive blog to create a reflective and supportive digital writing style.

Cognitive Development / January 2019
university campus fall leaves
Student Engagement and Outcomes at Liberal Arts Colleges

Membership in the first-generation group demonstrated significant, positive main effects on interactions with diversity, satisfaction with career services, and institutional preparation for career path.

Journal of College Student Development / January 2019
A Resilience Intervention to Increase Academic Persistence Among Undocumented Students in Higher Education

The goal of this research program is to develop and test the feasibility of a self-help workbook for undocumented students.

Journal of Hispanic Higher Education / January 2019
Josh Farris student
For First-Generation College Students, More Peer Support, Scholarships, and Resources

Nationwide, an increasing number of students are the first in their families to pursue higher education. A common theme: mentors and a support system.

School Library Journal / January 2019
The Challenge
From “First in Family” to “First to Finish”: Does College Graduation Vary by How First-Generation College Status Is Defined?

This study examined the relationship between FGCSs and the pathways to college completion for students who have initially enrolled in 2- versus 4-year colleges.

Educational Policy / January 2019
Are We Ready?: A Review of Getting College Ready: Latin@ Student Experiences of Race, Access, and Belonging at Predominantly White Universities

In this book review, the author discusses effective ways to help Latin@ students become successful college students.

The Qualitative Report / January 2019
2018 Strada-Gallup Alumni Survey- Mentoring College Students to Success
2018 Strada-Gallup Alumni Survey

The 2018 Strada-Gallup Alumni Survey explores how colleges and universities inspire students to achieve and looks closely at the source and nature of college mentoring relationships.

Gallup & Strada Education Network / December 2018
black female reading in library
The Role of Parental Education on First-Generation Students' Cognitive Gains in College

Scholars have recently noted that increases in critical thinking skills are not being attained by college graduates as previously thought.

Journal of College Student Development / December 2018
classroom full of students
Protective Factors Among Postsecondary Students

The authors examine the existing literature on the effects of low SES on postsecondary education in order to explore what assists these students in maintaining a steadfast behavior.

Journal of Research in Technical Careers / December 2018
Two Steps at a Time
Two Steps at a Time

For first-generation students, getting into college can be the biggest challenge of their lives. And the hard part comes next.

The Aspen Institute / December 2018
male student pink button up in class
Reaching Individual Success and Empowerment (RISE): A First-generation, Co-curricular, Academic, and Social Engagement Model

FAU developed a research informed program that engages students in co-curricular, high impact educational practices.

Journal of Business Diversity / December 2018
An Examination of a Cross Sectional Summer Bridge Programs

Summer bridge programs have grown increasingly popular as a strategy for providing students with the knowledge and skills required for college success.

International Journal of Education and Social Science / December 2018
Examining Retention and Transfer in Relation to Incoming Student Data for First-Generation and Continuing-Generation Students: What Differences Exist?

The study finds that parental education gaps in outcomes persist even after statistically controlling for incoming student information, and the effects of some predictors differ by parental education.

Journal of College Student Retention: Research, Theory & Practice / November 2018
Rows of Books
A Critical Review of LIS Literature on First-Generation Students

This review offers a critical analysis of the library and information science (LIS) literature on first-generation students (FGS) from the last 40 years

November 2018
SOCIAL TECHNOLOGY AFFORDANCE AND DIGITAL INCLUSION: FROM THE PERSPECTIVES OF FIRST-GENERATION COLLEGE STUDENTS

This case study to investigate how social media usage impacts first-generation college students.

November 2018
Supporting First-Generation Students’ Adjustment to College With High-Impact Practices

This qualitative case study describes some of the issues faced by incoming first-generation college students at a private, 4-year institution in the northwest.

October 2018