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.

First-generation college students and cultural intelligence

This study takes a unique approach to the investigation of first-generation college students by looking at the intersection of two areas of research, firstly first-generation students and secondly cultural intelligence (CQ).

Journal of Further and Higher Education / April 2019

Straddling Class in the Academy

This book brings social class identity to the forefront of our consciousness, conversations, and behaviors and compels those in the academy to recognize classism and reimagine higher education.

Ardoin & martinez / April 2019

Barriers to College and Health Care Careers Among US Students From a Rural Community

The aim of this study was to identify rural high school students’ perceived barriers to college and health-related careers and compare whether perceptions were similar based on gender, socioeconomic status (SES), and parental education.

PRiMER / March 2019

Communication With Friends and the Academic Adjustment in the First Year of College

This study examines the role of communication with on-campus friends on first-year students’ college adjustment, measured by academic self-efficacy, among first- and non-first-generation students.

Journal of College Student Retention: Research, Theory & Practice / March 2019

Teaching STEM to First Generation College Students

This book provides an excellent description of dealing with immigrant and first generation college STEM students whose socioeconomic backgrounds often hinder them from reaching their full potential.

Horowitz, 2019 / March 2019

Employing Student Success: A Comprehensive Examination of On-Campus Student Employment

Throughout the years, institutions of higher education have advanced the use of the Federal Work-Study program and institutionally funded campus-based employment opportunities to provide students supporting campus operations with modest financial support.

NASPA / March 2019

Employing Resistance and Resilience in Pursuing K-12 Schooling and Higher Education: Lived Experiences of Successful Female First-Generation Students of Color

This study chronicles the lived experiences of 16 successful female first-generation students of color as they pursued K-12 schooling and accessed higher education.

Urban Education / March 2019

Supporting the Mental Health Needs of First Generation College Students

This study assessed whether differences in mental health variables, social support, academics, and financial distress exist between FGCS and NFGCS seeking services at a university counseling center.

Journal of College Student Psychotherapy / February 2019

First-Generation College Students’ Perceived Barriers and Career Outcome Expectations

This study explores contextual factors that contribute to the linkage between perceived barriers and career outcome expectations of first-generation college students (FGCS).

Journal of Career Devleopment / February 2019

THE IMPACT OF INTERNSHIPS AND STUDY ABROAD ON THE CAREER READINESS OF FIRST-GEN STUDENTS

This article examines data from NACE’s 2018 Student Survey to compare and contrast the effects of these activities on first-generation students with those of their non-first-generation peers.

National Association of Colleges and Employers / February 2019

A Critical Cultural Wealth Model of First-Generation and Economically Marginalized College Students’ Academic and Career Development

This article outlines a new model from which to conceptualize FGEM college students’ academic and career development with a focus on structural, environmental, and intrapersonal factors previously shown to predict their academic and career success.

Journal of Career Devleopment / January 2019

From “First in Family” to “First to Finish”: Does College Graduation Vary by How First-Generation College Status Is Defined?

The purpose of our study was to examine the relationship between alternative definitions of first-generation college students (FGCSs) and graduation from 2- and 4-year colleges.

Educational Policy / January 2019

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

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

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

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

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