First-

Generation:
First Year
Ava Moorhem
Research Question

What social and academic factors

contribute to the success’ and failures of
first-generation college students at
four-year universities in the United
States?
What is “First-Generation?”

A first-generation college student is

any student whose parent(s) did not
attend or complete a degree at a
four-year university, regardless of
other family member’s level of
education
By the numbers . . .

56% 50% 54%

College students First-generation First-generation

that identity as students that students that
first-generation identify as identify as a
low-income racial/ethnic
minority
 Challenges Before College

College Financial Familial Self

Readiness Stability Support Esteem
First Year Focus

● The first year of college is the

most important for
first-generation students

● Based on the resources and

support available, it can help set
them up for success or failure
Hit the Stacks
The Importance of the
Library ● Access to the library is inhibited by:
○ Assumptions about the “average”
college student
○ Fear from first-generation college
students
● Without access to the library, students
are unable to build good study habits,
conduct effective research for class, etc.
● Author calls for higher education
institutions to work with first-generation
students to address these issues
The role of the
University
● Many universities use a deficit-based approach
to determine the needs of their first-generation
students
● Three major factors that negatively impact
students:
○ Lack of institutional capital
○ Perceived Support
○ Mental Wellness
● Universities need more societal accountability
Finding Community

● Two primary support systems aid in the

college transition
● Social acceptance
○ Multicultural/identity based belonging
○ Institutional financial support
● Academic belonging
○ Relationships with professors
○ Academic enrichment opportunities
What strategies should colleges employ
to fairly and adequately provide support
to their first-generation students?

What role should non-first-generation

Students play in fostering an inclusive
environment on campus?