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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.

Students Sitting Outside Talking
A Qualitative Study of University Reacculturation

To understand the challenges and experiences of first-generation undecided students transitioning to a new and unfamiliar academic environment, we applied a reacculturation process to this qualitative exploratory case study of 35 students.

July 2018
tired student in library
How Valid is Grit in the Postsecondary Context?

College admissions leaders increasingly desire to incorporate non-cognitive factors like grit into admissions decisions.

July 2018
Student Walking through a Door
The Equalizing Power of a College Degree for First-Generation College Students

This article extends how the generational wage gap varies across institutions, majors, and achievement levels, and what accounts for it.

July 2018
The Role of Family Support in Facilitating Academic Success of Low-Income Students

Prior higher education literature illuminates various factors contributing to student success, but few studies consider the role of family support after students enter higher education.

June 2018
three friends studying outside
Utilizing social class bicultural identity integration to improve outcomes for first-generation college students.

The present article integrates research and theory regarding social class, biculturalism, and bicultural identity integration.

June 2018
two latino students studying
The impact of home–school cultural value conflicts and President Trump on Latina/o first‐generation college students' attentional control

Around the world, people migrate from poorer countries with less educational opportunity to richer ones with greater educational opportunity.

June 2018
Examining First-generation college student experiences
Examining first-generation college student lived experiences

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.

June 2018
female mentor helps female student in blue shirt
Reflections on the Value of Mentoring Relationships

In this Career Development commentary, the author highlights the value of tailored mentoring and experiential learning from the perspective of a first-generation college student.

June 2018
Decoding the Cost of College
Decoding the Cost of College

Colleges and universities should develop more student-centered financial aid offers and tools, as well as align their efforts with other key departments serving student financial needs.

New America / June 2018
students in classroom standing with teacher
A new approach to supplementary instruction narrows achievement gap

To help students who traditionally underperform in general chemistry, we created a supplementary instruction (SI) course and called it the STEM-Dawgs Workshops.

May 2018
California Budget and Policy Center
Barriers to Higher Education Attainment: Students’ Unmet Basic Needs

This Brief is the first in a series highlighting some of these barriers and addressing policy solutions that help make college affordable and accessible for more low- and middle-income Californians.

California Budget and Policy Center / May 2018
diverse group of students sitting at table
Defining "First-Generation College Students" in Higher Education Research

This study examined the way first-generation college status was defined affected the likelihood of a student going to college.

April 2018
Understanding How Engineering Identity and Belongingness Predict Grit for First-Generation College Students

This research study uses structural equation modeling to examine how first-generation college students’ engineering identity and sense of belongingness in engineering serve as mediators for students’ grit in terms of persistence of effort and consistency of interest.

April 2018
Exploring the Links Between Parent–Student Conversations About College

Two studies examined the link between academic self-concepts and grades for first-generation and continuing-generation college students.

April 2018
frustrated male student sitting on stairs
“Dropping Out is Not an Option”

First‐generation college students (FGCS) often have different cultural values, practices, and goals from those of students from college‐going families.

April 2018
INSTITUTIONS’ USE of DATA AND ANALYTICS for STUDENT SUCCESS
Institutions’ Use of Data and Analytics for Student Success

This report describes a variety of challenges and opportunities regarding institutions’ readiness to expand data use across functions.

NASPA–Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education, the Association for Institutional Research, & EDUCAUSE / April 2018
three students studying in libary
The Role of Accelerated Learning and Financial Aid

The present study investigated the association of accelerated learning in high school and financial aid on academic outcomes for Hispanic FGCS and Hispanic non-FGCS.

April 2018
university campus fall leaves
Examining the Inclusivity of Parent and Family College Orientations

This study examined the inclusivity language and general characteristics of 82 orientation programs across 35 states in the U.S.

April 2018