First-generation college students in the United States

Last updated

First-generation college students in the United States are college students whose parents did not complete a baccalaureate degree. [1] Although research has revealed that completion of a baccalaureate degree is significant in terms of upward socioeconomic mobility in the United States, [2] [3] [4] a considerable body of research indicates that these students face significant systemic barriers to postsecondary education access, academic success once enrolled, and degree completion. [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] Many of these obstacles result from systemic racial, cultural, social, and economic inequities.

Contents

Compared to their continuing-generation counterparts, first-generation college students are more likely to be older than their peers, [10] have dependents, [10] come from low-income families, [10] [11] attend college part-time, [10] [12] live off campus, [10] have more work responsibilities, [10] and hold traditionally disadvantaged ethnic and racial identities. [13] While first-generation college students are less likely to complete their postsecondary education than their peers, [14] [15] those who do graduate often incur more debt to pay for their degree [16] [17] and accumulate less lifetime wealth than students whose parents completed a baccalaureate degree. [18]

As reported by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), 33.5% of undergraduate students had parents whose highest level of education was high school or less in the 2011–2012 school year. [19]

Age and dependency status

In 2014 the NCES reported that the following percentages of college students by age had parents whose highest education level was high school or less. [19]

A review of the literature on first-generation college students published by the Texas Guaranteed Student Loan Corporation (TGSLC) cites a 2001 study which reported that 31% of first-generation college students were 24 years of age or older. [10] A 1998 study cited in the same review reported that 13% of first-generation college students were 30 years of age or older. [10] Additionally, 46% did not start attending college immediately after high school graduation. 37% were not dependents, and 18% were married. [10]

The NCES report for the 2011–2012 school year states the shares of undergraduate students whose parents' highest level of education was high school or less by dependency and marriage status.

Employment

According to the NCES report for the 2011–2012 school year, the share of undergraduate full-time employed undergraduate students whose parents' highest education level was high school or less was 38.0%. This is slightly higher than the share of undergraduate students who did not work while enrolled whose parents' highest education level was high school or less (34.1%). The share of part-time employed undergraduate students whose parents' highest education level was high school or less was 29.6%. [19] Many first generation students are forced to work to pay for their tuition. [20]

Race

The NCES reported these percentages of undergraduate college students whose parents had a high school diploma or less for the 2011–2012 school year: [19]

Type of institution

The NCES report by Redford and Hoyer following students who were high school sophomores in 2002 states that 76% of first-generation college students first enrolled in public, 9% in private, and 16% in for-profit institutions. [11] Regarding the selectively of institutions where first-generation college students tend to enroll, the same NCES report states that 52% enrolled in 2-year institutions whose selectively is unclassified. Students enrolled at moderately selective 4-year institutions comprised 16%, at inclusive 4-year institutions 9%, at unclassified 4-year institutions 9%, at unclassified less than two-year institutions 9%, and at highly selective 4-year institutions 6% of the total first-generation college student population. [11]

The NCES 2011–2012 school year data shows that almost half of undergraduates enrolled in for-profit institutions have parents whose highest level of education was high school or less. [19] Students whose parents' highest education level was high school or less also represented:

Adult students' experiences

Through interviews with first-generation college students older than 25 at a small liberal arts college, researchers Kathleen Byrd and Ginger Macdonald found that these students considered their age to be a positive contributor to their time management and self-advocacy skills. [21] Having more experience navigating life and work contributed to their confidence. [21] Some interviewees expressed that their self-advocacy skills in particular had helped to compensate for what they lacked in background knowledge, or cultural capital, of the college system in areas such as financial aid, student advising services, and student-professor relationships. [21] Interviewees who were also parents cited their children as sources of motivation in their academic pursuits. In contrast to younger first-generation college students who may perceive their education as surpassing their parents, older first-generation college students may perceive their education in terms of being a role model for their children. [21]

Online learning

According to a study of adult first-generation and continuing-generation online college students by Susan Dumais et al., most adult online learners, regardless of parent education level, are confident that they will succeed academically. [22] However, ways that first-generation adult online learners differed from their continuing-generation counterparts in the study included "greater intrinsic motivation" to earn their degree and more usage of built-in student support services. [22] Additionally, the first-generation students reported having more demanding work environments and less support from their employers to balance their work responsibilities with their family and academic responsibilities. [22]

Social class and mobility

In an article from the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, Stephens et al. observe that the institution of higher education in the United States of America is popularly viewed as an environment of equal opportunity regardless of social class background and a means for social mobility. [8] Indeed, a 2002 report by Connie Ayala and Al Striplen cited in the TGSLC literature review asserts that first-generation college students are involved in a "deliberate attempt" to achieve upward social, economic, or occupational mobility. [10] However, research by Jean Phinney et al. explain that first-generation college students' motivations for attending college also include helping one's family and responding to encouragement from others in addition to personal/career motivations. [23] [24] A study by Rebecca Covarrubias and Stephanie Fryburg equates first-generation college student status with a working-class family background and the university as a middle class environment. [25]

Cultural capital

Stephens et al. show that working class and middle class societies have differing cultural capital and norms, and these differences are present in the way each class approaches and values higher education. [8] The "cultural mismatch" between the college environment and first-generation college students' working-class backgrounds can be a source of academic disadvantage. [8] Middle class students are typically socialized to value independence, and they are encouraged to approach college with the intention to "separate and distinguish themselves from their parents..., to find themselves, to develop their voices, to follow their passions, and to influence the world". On the other hand, working class students are often socialized to value interdependence, such as by "adjusting and responding to others' needs" and "being a part of a community", and may view college through a lens of interdependence as well. [8] The article shows how American first and second tier universities included in their study do indeed reflect the middle class values of independence, creating a mismatch between the environment familiar to students of working-class backgrounds and the college environment. [8] Stephens et al. propose that American institutions of higher education should broaden their culture to include messages that accept and encourage interdependence so to mitigate academic disadvantages due to cultural mismatch. [8]

Social capital

Rice et al., in an article in the journal Counseling Psychology Quarterly, conducted qualitative interviews with 14 first-generation college students to better understand the social class worldview and identity of first-generation college students from the students' own perspectives. [26] When attempting to label their own social class, terms of social and cultural capital were more relevant than formal indicators of social class such as income, education, and occupation. [26] According to Stephens et al., first-generation college students' tendency to have different social capital than those they are surrounded by in the college environment makes it difficult for them to feel comfortable at college. [26] For example, first-generation college students may not have relationships with college graduates, or they may lack a sense of belonging among their classmates. [26] In addition some African American students have shown to be reluctant to seek help from school counselors, and instead seek spiritual guidance. [27] Some of the interviewees found that shared life experiences allowed them to bond with and feel comfortable around each other despite social class differences. [26] Studies show that the strongest predictors for college attendance and completion are academic preparation, social support, access to information, parental involvement and knowledge about college, and financial aid. [28] [29] [30] [31] [32] [33] [34] [35] [36] Another form of social support is the prevalence of strong social networks that support a student's academic and emotional development. [37] [38] [39] Federally funded programs such as Upward Bound, Talent Search, Gear Up, and non-profit organizations such as AVID have been implemented at the secondary level to prepare first-generation students for college through academic counseling, college field trips, study skill development, and support from college graduates. [40] [41] [42] [43]

Classism

In the Rice et al. article, classism is defined as the belief that all members of a certain social class possess certain characteristics inherent to that class. [26] Many of the interviewees found it hard to recall specific experiences of classism, but nevertheless experienced being generally "looked down upon". [26] Non-white first generation college students in the study would sometimes refer to their experiences using racial or ethnic terms interchangeably with class terms, showing that dimensions of their identities are not separable from one another. [26] Indeed, an article by Jessica Harris and Chris Linder discusses abundant literature reporting on the high prevalence of racial micro-agrression against graduate students of color within the university which becomes normalized due to its commonness. [44] The interviewees also acknowledged stereotypes of students of higher classes, including that they do not work as hard or value their education as much as less affluent students. [26]

Students of rural and agricultural background

Patrick Shultz conducted a study consisting of in-depth interviews with six first-year first-generation college students with both rural and agricultural backgrounds. [45] Many of these students associated their agricultural backgrounds with their hard-working character, which in many cases, helped the students maintain confidence that they could work hard to persist through the challenges of college too. [45] Sometimes, these students perceived that their peers at college did not share their past of having to work as hard as they had, which could make building relationships with these student's counterparts more challenging. [45] Their agricultural background was a source of pride and identity which also set them apart as multidimensionally "different" from their peers. [45]

Racial issues

In the case of African Americans in the post-Reconstruction era, higher education was seen by some as a means of generating leadership to bring entire oppressed classes to recognition. [46]

Battle and Wright, in their quantitative assessment of W. E. B. Du Bois's "Talented Tenth" in the Journal of Black Studies, discuss the conversation around higher education that took place among black intellectual leaders in the post-Reconstruction era. [46] Du Bois's philosophy was that the cohort of emancipated slaves who would go on to become college educated, or the "Talented Tenth", had a responsibility to become leaders and advocates for the whole of the African American community. [46] Du Bois wanted institutions of higher education to be a means by which the "humanity of African Americans" as a whole would be "recognize[d]". [46] Later in his life, Du Bois expressed disappointment in the Talented Tenth, accusing them of using their education for personal gain and losing solidarity with the rest of the black community. [46]

Financial issues

A problem that first generation students face, more frequently than other students is lack of finance with the constant growing cost of college.[ citation needed ] The cost of college often increases as students move through college. A student who manages to pay through their first year of college may find difficulty moving past that year as prices typically increase. [47]

Gender issues

According to a primary research study, first generation female students are experiencing high amounts of stress that is difficult to manage which can affect their progress in academics. [48] Coming from this doubly disadvantaged background, first generation women face adversity related to both their gender and first generation status in academia. In a study conducted by Jennifer Blaney, special attention is paid to the intersectional disadvantages that first generation women studying computer science face as it relates to their success, college experience, and graduation status. [49]

Family relationships

A 2014 study by Tiffany Wang in the Journal of Family Communication identified five thematic messages that 30 first-generation participants from a large public university received from their families. [50] The first theme was "remembering family", which included messages about the importance of maintaining strong emotional connection with and loyalty to one's family and background. [50] The second theme was "focusing on family", which included messages encouraging the student to prioritize the family highly. [50] The third theme was "counting on family", which included messages guaranteeing unconditional support. [50] Students who cited these messages also reflected that being at college had led them to cherish their family relationships more than in the past. [50] The fourth theme was "not worrying about family", and included messages of assurance that the student had made the right choice in pursuing education even if sacrifices of responsibility to and time with the family had to be made. [50] The fifth theme was "setting a good example", and included messages reminding the student of their responsibility to demonstrate maturity, hard work, and focus to younger family members and friends. [50] More than 25% of first generation students attend junior college, and less than half of students parents doesn't attend college. [51]

Olson's literature review and research (2014) explores the unfamiliarity FGCS face when they navigate through their postsecondary education and the fact that they usually do this on their own. [52]

Olson cites how FGCS have been found to enter college with the expectation that it will lead to a high-paying or prestigious job, which are not guaranteed outcomes. Brooks-Terry (1998) explores FGCS go into college with faulty expectations and struggle with "double assignment", [53] which entail handling their courses while also learning and understanding the college lifestyle in general. Orbe (2008) explains that FGCS' understanding of the college culture becomes a "multidimensional identity negotiation" [54] against their home culture. FGCS have to acknowledge how they change in college while also relating that to their experiences with family and friends. Orbes mentions how FGCS might not even notice this, but their family and friends will acknowledge this change. [54] The challenge comes with the accusations that the student has changed or is not remaining true to their culture, which further complicates their identity and belief in their potential to succeed.

Additionally, Olson addresses the obstacles the FGCS faces when wanting to move out. London (1989) explains how families of FGCS assign roles [55] to keep them grounded to their families. Families may delegate the FGCS as the example for other members of the family, or keep them at home so they can remain reliant on family. Their success then becomes validated by family approval as well as by completing their own goals.

Furthermore, Olson applies social cognitive career theory (SCCT) when exploring self-efficacy in more depth. Bandura (1986) says that self-efficacy and success of FGCS may be "learned" [56] by watching their peers fail in college. It is likely that their perspectives are not accurate, and their families lack of education experience negatively reinforces the notion that they will not succeed. Gibbons and Borders (2010) highlight that while FGCS may overcome many obstacles, they still have the notion that they are not as successful as they should have been. [57] Regardless, SCCT predicts that if a FGCS has strong family support, they are more likely to believe in their personal goals and path to higher education and a stronger sense of self-efficacy.

Impostor syndrome or phenomenon

Research has found that first-generation college students experience of imposter syndrome (IP) at higher rates than their continuing-generation peers. [58] [59] Initially coined as the "impostor phenomenon" by Pauline Clance and Joe Langford in 1978 to describe the "internal experience of intellectual phoniness" among high-achieving women in the workplace, [60] impostor syndrome has been attributed as the reason that many first-generation college students feel that they do not belong in postsecondary education and/or do not have the skills or intelligence to complete their studies. [61] First-generation college students who struggle with impostor syndrome often cite feeling that their classes are highly competitive and that their continuing-generation peers may "find out" that they are not as capable, as skilled, or as intelligent as they may be perceived. [62] IP perceptions can be influenced depending on the student's familial background. According to research, first-generation students are generally less academically prepared for college because they do not have the guidance by their parents. In return, they develop lower self-esteem and lower ambitions to complete their degree because they feel pressurized by the burden of attaining social norms and succeeding. [63]

In The Journal of Higher Education , Ernest Pascarella et al. reiterate the fact that first-generation students have a hard time completing their higher education due to their constant struggle of comparing themselves with their counterpart, students who have parents with a degree. [64] The feelings of inadequacy or feeling like a fraud can be overpowering and mentally limit a student from achieving their best. When first-generation students can't find a support system at home, they feel lonely and go into a state of attrition. Martinez et al. emphasize in their article that "low parental education predicts attrition". [63]

Impostor syndrome has been observed to have detrimental effects on the academic, social, and emotional wellbeing of first-generation college students. Impostor syndrome has been identified as a barrier to the engagement, performance, and retention of first-generation college students, [62] with some studies finding that impostor feelings can predict students' academic performance (including course engagement, attendance, withdraw/dropout intentions, and grades), [62] as well as their social integration and emotional health. [60] [65]

Educators and institutions can help these students overcome their fears with the right resources if they were put into place. Joel Bothello and Thomas J. Roulet, authors of The Imposter Syndrome, or the Mis-Representation of Self in Academic Life, state, "higher education establishments need to change their incentive systems. Scholars need to be encouraged to act less as mercenaries and more as public intellectuals, loyal to institutions that promote and cherish a holistic contribution". [66]

Most research tasks postsecondary institutions with addressing impostor feelings among first-generation college students through a two-pronged approach of mental health and institutional supports. [67] [68] [69] [70] [71]

Graduation rates

Four, Five, and Six-year degree attainment rates by generation in college DeAngelo1.png
Four, Five, and Six-year degree attainment rates by generation in college
Four, Five, and Six-year degree attainment rates by race/ethnicity Degree attainment rates by Ethnicity (DeAngelo et al).svg
Four, Five, and Six-year degree attainment rates by race/ethnicity

DeAngelo [72] provides statistics on graduation rates among FGCS and non-FGCS in a framework of four, five, and six years as well as a table that breaks down the degree attainment by race/ethnicity. These images from the study provide a breakdown, and show the huge gaps in degree attainment. [72] A new study revealed that only 27 percent of first-generation students will earn a bachelor's degree within four years of entering college, lagging far behind their continuing-generation peers. [73]

Obstacles to access

In a 2001 US Department of Education report, Susan Choy explains that in order to becoming a college student requires a student proceed through multiple steps, starting with aspiring to earn a bachelor's degree, then achieving at least minimal academic preparation, then taking the SAT or ACT test, and finally, applying to a four-year institution. [74] Her report shows that as a students' parents' education level increases, so does the students' likelihood of completing each step along the way to enrollment at a four-year institution. [74] Choy also reports that the likelihood that a students will enroll in a four-year higher education institution is highly correlated with taking more advanced math courses in high school. While students whose parents had less education were less likely to take more advanced math courses, the likelihood of enrolling in college for students whose parents did not go to college greatly increases with the level of math course they take, especially if they take algebra in 8th grade. [74]

Regarding the last step in the college enrollment process, application, the literature review by Carmen Tym et al. explains that first-generation college students are not as likely to receive help from their parents nor their schools. [10] Additionally, prospective first-generation college students are less likely to have full access to the internet, a highly useful tool for researching and applying to colleges. [10]

Because of a lack of experience, first-generation college students' parents do not always understand what the academic requirements are to attend a four-year college; therefore they cannot prepare their children for admission to such universities or the stress of the college experience. First-generation past students now parents would advise their children different from how they were advised when they were college students, with the advice they wish they were given by their parents. [75] Students must rely on their teachers and counselors to place them on the correct track in order to enroll in any form of post-secondary education. DeAngelo (et al., 2011) explains how prior academic achievements impact degree completion. These are explored through SAT scores and high school grades. [72] FGCS with a higher-grade average in high school and SAT composite scores are more likely to graduate in 4 years. If these students don't understand the impact of their SAT scores and GPAs on their likelihood to graduate, they are not predisposed to take them seriously, while college experienced students know that based on their previous knowledge. By the results being shown, it suggest that the results of the supportive relationship within their community are usually associated with higher levels of satisfaction but not academic achievement as measured by grades. [76]

Students of rural background

A study by Mara Casey Tieken discusses the tension that many students from rural backgrounds face when deciding whether to attend college. [77] The choice between staying at home to working in a trade which does not require a college degree and pursuing an education which will likely result in that student permanently living away from where they grew up can be hard because of mixed expectations and hopes from the students themselves, their parents, and their advisors or mentors. [77] Many of the students of agricultural background interviewed by Patrick Schultz made the decision to pursue post-secondary education in late high school. [45] When a student's parents supported their pursuit of post-secondary education, the decision to attend college was much easier, but when parental support was absent, the decision was more likely to be conflicted and confusing. [45]

Family achievement guilt

Family achievement guilt is defined by Rebecca Covarrubias, Andrea Romero, and Michael Trivelli as a student's feeling of guilt caused by having more academic opportunities and success compared to other family members. [78] Geraldine Piorkowski has used the term "survivor's guilt" to describe these emotions after examining the impact of attending college on low-income, African American first-generation college students, as they felt like their academic success meant that they were abandoning their family and difficult home conditions. [78]

Studies on family achievement guilt have reported that minority students are more likely to be the first in their family to attend college than non-minority students and that they are prone to feelings of guilt over prior generations' inability to pursue further education due to a variety of factors. As a result, these students are more likely to attempt to hide or downplay their scholastic achievements, which can lead to the students becoming depressed. [78] The students living on what they perceive as "luxurious campuses" have also reported feeling guilt, particularly if their family members continue to experience suffering. [79] Covarrbuias et al. have suggested that depression and family achievement guilt can be lessened by students reflecting on times they helped their family. [80]

Most first generation college students (FGCS) feel the guilt of achieving great success in college because most of their parents did not even finish elementary school, middle school, high school or any post secondary education. They face unique psychological challenges [81] according to associate professor of Education Linda Banks-Santilli in an article published in The Washington Post. This is something that is common among minority Latinx [81] families. The parents of first generation college students chose to sacrifice their education to come to another country to find better opportunities for themselves and for their future families. With that being said, some of FGCS are also looked down upon because their relatives are not getting or taking advantage of the same opportunities. Although some relatives are supportive, others are envious and judgmental and may be quick to judge when they see their cousins or other relatives taking advantage of the opportunities given to them. Some go as far to say that those who pursue the college route are a disgrace to the family name [81] because they are not following the traditions and are putting their immediate family into student debt. [81]

Supporting FGCS

The Institute for Higher Education (September 2012), provides an issue brief and describes how to support FGCS through classroom-based practices. First, faculty can be key allies as they are the key point of contact for students in the classroom. When faculty are encouraged by their institutions to uphold strong leadership roles in FGCS initiatives, the results are extremely beneficial. The issue brief has a very helpful graphic that breaks down the strategies faculty can use to help students [82] Additionally, the Institute for Higher Education (2012) identifies how it is crucial for institutions to examine barriers faced by FGCS and to redesign their curriculum to better serve these students. [82] Some possible approaches involve educators implementing tutoring programs and proving supplemental services to better serve this community. They can create an initiative to train faculty and instructors specially, while keeping in consideration the cultural obstacles these students may face. By identifying and integrating cultural characteristics into the way they serve FGCS, they are being more inclusive and creating stronger relationships between the students and faculty. There are also many educational interventions being put into place to proved more programs and opportunities for FGCS, including AVID, GEAR-UP, and other after school programs.

Because many Minority-Serving Institutions (MSI's) don't have a strong grasp on how many FGCS are on their campuses, they may not understand how to serve this community. The Institute for Higher Education (2012) emphasizes the need to use data (also known as evidence-based solutions) to support the efforts to strengthen programs to help FGCS. [82] Some methods include primarily identifying the number of FGCS and the qualitative and quantitative approaches to better serving the population. Schools can also use research models to not only design, but track the most effective practices that provide the utmost opportunities for FGCS. It is also important that teachers and counselors understand how these students define success, and how it may not be measurable or equivalent to an average student whose parents have not attended college before.

Although there are programs intact to help FGCS, The Council for Opportunity in Education states that these programs can only serve 11 percent of students. [82] The Institute for Higher Education also points out the obstacles that these programs may not be implemented early enough and may not necessarily be targeted only towards FGCS. If counselors, teachers, and administrators understand the cultural aspect that affects FGCS, they will have the tools necessary to take a holistic approach in proving these students with the specific help they need.

See also

Related Research Articles

A nontraditional student is a term originating in North America, that refers to a category of students at colleges and universities.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Social mobility</span> Mobility to move social classes

Social mobility is the movement of individuals, families, households or other categories of people within or between social strata in a society. It is a change in social status relative to one's current social location within a given society. This movement occurs between layers or tiers in an open system of social stratification. Open stratification systems are those in which at least some value is given to achieved status characteristics in a society. The movement can be in a downward or upward direction. Markers for social mobility such as education and class, are used to predict, discuss and learn more about an individual or a group's mobility in society.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Upward Bound</span> Federally funded U.S. college readiness program

Upward Bound is a federally funded educational program within the United States. The program is one of a cluster of programs now referred to as TRiO, all of which owe their existence to the federal Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 and the Higher Education Act of 1965. Upward Bound programs are implemented and monitored by the United States Department of Education. The goal of Upward Bound is to provide certain categories of high school students better opportunities for attending college. The categories of greatest concern are those with low income, those with parents who did not attend college, and those living in rural areas. The program works through individual grants, each of which covers a restricted geographic area and provides services to approximately 59,000 students annually. The program focuses on academic and nonacademic resources and activities like visits to museums or tutoring for school work. Students are encouraged to be involved in Upward Bound for the entire academic year and a 6-week long summer program. Many students who are also granted access into the Upward Bound program are labeled as first generation college students, who are students that are the first in their family to attend college. This program is set in place for students who come from low income families as well as underrepresented schools and gives them an opportunity to excel in college.

Achievement gaps in the United States are observed, persistent disparities in measures of educational performance among subgroups of U.S. students, especially groups defined by socioeconomic status (SES), race/ethnicity and gender. The achievement gap can be observed through a variety of measures, including standardized test scores, grade point average, dropout rates, college enrollment, and college completion rates. The gap in achievement between lower income students and higher income students exists in all nations and it has been studied extensively in the U.S. and other countries, including the U.K. Various other gaps between groups exist around the globe as well.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Extracurricular activity</span> Activity outside regular education

An extracurricular activity (ECA) or extra academic activity (EAA) or cultural activities is an activity, performed by students, that falls outside the realm of the normal curriculum of school, college or university education. Such activities are generally voluntary (as opposed to mandatory), social, philanthropic, and often involve others of the same age. Students and staff direct these activities under faculty sponsorship, although student-led initiatives, such as independent newspapers, are very common. However, sometimes the school principals and teachers also bring in these activities in the school among the students.

The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) is the part of the United States Department of Education's Institute of Education Sciences (IES) that collects, analyzes, and publishes statistics on education and public school district finance information in the United States. It also conducts international comparisons of education statistics and provides leadership in developing and promoting the use of standardized terminology and definitions for the collection of those statistics. NCES is a principal agency of the U.S. Federal Statistical System.

In the United States, higher education is an optional stage of formal learning following secondary education. It is also referred as post-secondary education, third-stage, third-level, or tertiary education. It covers stages 5 to 8 on the International ISCED 2011 scale. It is delivered at 4,360 Title IV degree-granting institutions, known as colleges or universities. These may be public or private universities, research universities, liberal arts colleges, community colleges, or for-profit colleges. US higher education is loosely regulated by the government and by several third-party organizations.

The National Survey of Student Engagement is a survey mechanism used to measure the level of student participation at universities and colleges in Canada and the United States as it relates to learning and engagement. The results of the survey help administrators and professors to assess their students' student engagement. The survey targets first-year and senior students on campuses. NSSE developed ten student Engagement Indicators (EIs) that are categorized in four general themes: academic challenge, learning with peers, experiences with faculty, and campus environment. Since 2000, there have been over 1,600 colleges and universities that have opted to participate in the survey. Additionally, approximately 5 million students within those institutions have completed the engagement survey. Overall, NSSE assesses effective teaching practices and student engagement in educationally purposeful activities. The survey is administered and assessed by Indiana University School of Education Center for Postsecondary Research.

The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) is a system of interrelated surveys conducted annually by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a part of the Institute for Education Sciences within the United States Department of Education. IPEDS consists of twelve interrelated survey components that are collected over three collection periods each year as described in the Data Collection and Dissemination Cycle. The completion of all IPEDS surveys is mandatory for all institutions that participate in, or are applicants for participation in, any federal financial assistance program authorized by Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended.

A part-time student is a non-traditional student who pursues higher education, typically after reaching adulthood, while living off-campus, and possessing responsibilities related to family and/or employment. Part-time student status is based on taking fewer course credits in a semester than full-time students. Part-time students may choose to pursue part-time studies for a variety of different reasons. A benefit of pursuing higher education as a part-time student is the opportunity to be able to balance learning with work, family and other personal commitments. Not every program will have the option for part-time students to enroll. The selection of programs that are available in a part-time format will vary depending on the institution.

Educational inequality is the unequal distribution of academic resources, including but not limited to school funding, qualified and experienced teachers, books, and technologies, to socially excluded communities. These communities tend to be historically disadvantaged and oppressed. Individuals belonging to these marginalized groups are often denied access to schools with adequate resources. Inequality leads to major differences in the educational success or efficiency of these individuals and ultimately suppresses social and economic mobility. Inequality in education is broken down into different types: regional inequality, inequality by sex, inequality by social stratification, inequality by parental income, inequality by parent occupation, and many more.

An adult learner or, more commonly, a mature student, is a person who is older and is involved in forms of learning. Adult learners fall in a specific criterion of being experienced, and do not always have a high school diploma. Many of the adult learners go back to school to finish a degree, or earn a new one.

The racial achievement gap in the United States refers to disparities in educational achievement between differing ethnic/racial groups. It manifests itself in a variety of ways: African-American and Hispanic students are more likely to earn lower grades, score lower on standardized tests, drop out of high school, and they are less likely to enter and complete college than whites, while whites score lower than Asian Americans.

Structural inequality has been identified as the bias that is built into the structure of organizations, institutions, governments, or social networks. Structural inequality occurs when the fabric of organizations, institutions, governments or social networks contains an embedded bias which provides advantages for some members and marginalizes or produces disadvantages for other members. This can involve property rights, status, or unequal access to health care, housing, education and other physical or financial resources or opportunities. Structural inequality is believed to be an embedded part of the culture of the United States due to the history of slavery and the subsequent suppression of equal civil rights of minority races. Structural inequality has been encouraged and maintained in the society of the United States through structured institutions such as the public school system with the goal of maintaining the existing structure of wealth, employment opportunities, and social standing of the races by keeping minority students from high academic achievement in high school and college as well as in the workforce of the country. In the attempt to equalize allocation of state funding, policymakers evaluate the elements of disparity to determine an equalization of funding throughout school districts.p.(14)

Internationalization of higher education in theory is "the process of integrating an international, intercultural, or global dimension into the purpose, functions or delivery of postsecondary education." Internationalization of higher education in practice is "the process of commercializing research and postsecondary education, and international competition for the recruitment of foreign students from wealthy and privileged countries in order to generate revenue, secure national profile, and build international reputation." The main components of internationalization of higher education are recruitment of international students, development of international branch campuses, students, staff and scholars exchange programs, internationalization of the curriculum, and research and education partnerships between institutions regionally and internationally.

Bridget Terry Long is the 12th Dean of the Harvard Graduate School of Education, and the Saris Professor of Education and Economics. She is an economist whose research focuses on college access and success. Long is a Faculty Research Associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research and a member of the National Academy of Education.

Educational interventions for first-generation college students (FGCS) are programs intended to provide resources and make education more attainable and desirable for FGCS and their families. A study by Alex Casillas has identified that "FGCS […] face greater pressure not to go to college, either because of a lack of role models or because of pressure to contribute to their family's financial needs." Many interventions are being explored to lower and/or remove the fears and struggles FGCS face regarding their education. These interventions are intended to bridge the gap between FGCS and their educational experience by providing them with the access to information and resources their non-first-generation peers already have. This article discusses several programs currently being implemented, including AVID, GEAR-UP, and after-school programs, in addition to non-profit college access programs and privately funded organizations that work to address access to higher education for underprivileged and first-generation students. There is also critical discussion regarding the pedagogical role of these educational interventions in building a sense of value and belonging in its students.

Higher education in the United States is an optional stage of formal learning following secondary education. Higher education, also referred to as post-secondary education, third-stage, third-level, or tertiary education occurs most commonly at one of the 4,360 Title IV degree-granting institutions in the country. These may be public universities, private universities, liberal arts colleges, community colleges, or for-profit colleges. Learning environments vary greatly depending on not only the type of institution, but also the different goals implemented by the relevant county and state.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blue-collar scholar</span> Term for academics from blue-collar background

A blue-collar scholar or blue-collar academic is a person who comes from a family or background of blue-collar workers who enters into the study and training of higher education as an undergraduate student or is an academician doing scholarly work to make their professional living.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">National Postsecondary Student Aid Study</span>

The National Postsecondary Student Aid Study (NPSAS) is a study conducted every four years by the National Center for Education Statistics, a division of the Institute of Education Sciences in the U.S. Department of Education. This study captures data regarding how students pay for postsecondary education, with special attention to how families fund higher education. The NPSAS, which has been conducted periodically since 1987, has a complex design, utilizing sampling and weighting to achieve a sample that represents college students nationwide.

References

  1. "2012 US Code :: Title 20 - Education :: Chapter 28 - HIGHER EDUCATION RESOURCES AND STUDENT ASSISTANCE (§§ 1001 - 1161aa-1) :: Subchapter IV - STUDENT ASSISTANCE (§§ 1070 - 1099e) :: Part A - Grants to Students in Attendance at Institutions of Higher Education (§§ 1070 - 1070h) :: Subpart 2 - federal early outreach and student services programs (§§ 1070a-11 - 1070a-81) :: Division 1 - Federal TRIO Programs (§§ 1070a-11 - 1070a-18) :: Section 1070a-11 - Program authority; authorization of appropriations". Act of 2012 . Retrieved 2023-05-27 via Justia Law.
  2. Chetty, Raj; Friedman, John; Saez, Emmanuel; Turner, Nicholas; Yagan, Danny (2020). "Income Segregation and Intergenerational Mobility Across Colleges in the United States" (PDF). Quarterly Journal of Economics. National Bureau of Economic Research: 61. doi:10.3386/w23618. S2CID   51819519.
  3. "How colleges affect social mobility in America". The Economist. 2017-01-31. ISSN   0013-0613 . Retrieved 2021-11-11.
  4. Carnevale, Anthony P.; Jayasundera, Tamara; Gulish, Artem (2016). "America's Divided Recovery: College Haves and Have-Nots". Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce.{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  5. Choy, Susan P. (2001). "Students Whose Parents Did Not Go to College: Postsecondary Access, Persistence, and Attainment". PsycEXTRA Dataset. doi:10.1037/e492182006-021 . Retrieved 2021-11-11.
  6. Ishitani, Terry T. (2006). "Studying Attrition and Degree Completion Behavior among First-Generation College Students in the United States". The Journal of Higher Education. 77 (5): 861–885. doi:10.1353/jhe.2006.0042. ISSN   1538-4640. S2CID   146198418.
  7. Pascarella, Ernest T.; Pierson, Christopher T.; Wolniak, Gregory C.; Terenzini, Patrick T. (2004-05-01). "First-Generation College Students". The Journal of Higher Education. 75 (3): 249–284. doi:10.1080/00221546.2004.11772256. ISSN   0022-1546. S2CID   151320283.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Stephens, Nicole M.; Fryberg, Stephanie A.; Markus, Hazel Rose; Johnson, Camille S.; Covarrubias, Rebecca (2012). "Unseen disadvantage: How American universities' focus on independence undermines the academic performance of first-generation college students". Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. 102 (6): 1178–1197. doi:10.1037/a0027143. ISSN   1939-1315. PMID   22390227.
  9. Woosley, Sherry A.; Shepler, Dustin K. (2011). "Understanding the early integration experiences of first-generation college students". College Student Journal. Project Innovation (Alabama). 45 (4) via Gale Academic OneFile.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Tym, Carmen; McMillion, Robin; Barone, Sandra; Webster, Jeff (12 November 2004). "First-Generation College Students: A Literature Review". ERIC   ED542505.
  11. 1 2 3 Redford, Jeremy, and Kathleen Hoyer. "First-Generation and Continuing-Generation College Students: A Comparison of High School and Postsecondary Experiences." National Center for Education Statistics. September 26, 2017.
  12. "Factsheets." PNPI. Accessed February 04, 2018.
  13. Redford, Jeremy; Mulvaney Hoyer, Kathleen (2017). "First-Generation and Continuing-Generation College Students: A Comparison of High School and Postsecondary Experiences". The Journal of Blacks in Higher Education. U.S. Department of Education.
  14. Zinshteyn, Mikhail (2016-03-13). "The Key to Ensuring First-Generation College Students Succeed". The Atlantic. Retrieved 2021-11-11.
  15. Pell Institute (2011). "Fact Sheet: 6-Year Degree Attainment Rates for Students Enrolled in a Post-Secondary Institution" (PDF).{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  16. Federal Reserve Board (2020). "Survey of Household Economics and Decisionmaking (SHED)". U.S. Federal Reserve.
  17. Chan, Monica; Kwon, Jihye; Nguyen, David; Saunders, Katherine; Shah, Nilkamal; Smith, Katie (2020-07-10). "National Trends in Federal Student Loan Borrowing by Income Group and First-Generation Status". AIR Professional File (Fall 2020). doi:10.34315/apf1482020. ISSN   2155-7535. S2CID   225639875.
  18. Cominole, Melissa; Thomsen, Erin; Henderson, Mihaela; Dunlop Velez, Erin; Cooney, Jennifer (2021-01-13). "Baccalaureate and Beyond (B&B:08/18): First Look at the 2018 Employment and Educational Experiences of 2007-08 College Graduates". National Center for Education Statistics. U.S. Department of Education. Retrieved 2021-11-11.
  19. 1 2 3 4 5 U.S. Department of Education. (2014, October). National Center for Education Statistics [NCES]. "Web table: Profile of Undergraduate Students 2011–2012".
  20. "Breaking Down Barriers: First-Generation College Students and College Success | The League for Innovation in the Community College". www.league.org. Retrieved 2019-12-11.
  21. 1 2 3 4 Byrd, Kathleen L.; Macdonald, Ginger (2005). "Defining College Readiness from the Inside Out: First-Generation College Student Perspectives". Community College Review. 33 (1): 22–37. doi:10.1177/009155210503300102. S2CID   144368838.
  22. 1 2 3 Dumais, Susan A.; Rizzuto, Tracey E.; Cleary, Joe; Dowden, Luke (2013). "Stressors and Supports for Adult Online Learners: Comparing First- and Continuing-Generation College Students". American Journal of Distance Education. 27 (2): 100–10. doi:10.1080/08923647.2013.783265. S2CID   144946193.
  23. Phinney, J., Dennis, J., & Osorio, S. (in press). Motivations to attend college among college students from diverse ethnic and social class backgrounds. Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology.
  24. Dennis, Jessica M.; Phinney, Jean S.; Ivy Chuateco, Lizette (2005). "The Role of Motivation, Parental Support, and Peer Support in the Academic Success of Ethnic Minority First-Generation College Students". Journal of College Student Development. 46 (3): 223–236. doi:10.1353/csd.2005.0023. S2CID   44120691.
  25. Covarrubias, R.; Fryberg, S. A. (2015). "Movin' on up (to college): First-generation college students' experiences with family achievement guilt". Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology. 21 (3): 420–429. doi:10.1037/a0037844. PMID   25198416.
  26. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Rice, Alexander J.; Colbow, Alexander J.; Gibbons, Shane; Cederberg, Charles; Sahker, Ethan; Liu, William M.; Wurster, Kristin (2016). "The social class worldviews of first-generation college students". Counselling Psychology Quarterly. 30 (4): 415–40. doi:10.1080/09515070.2016.1179170. S2CID   151531546.
  27. Harris, Janeé R. Avent; Wong, Christine D. (2018). "African American College Students, the Black Church, and Counseling". Journal of College Counseling. 21 (1): 15–28. doi:10.1002/jocc.12084.
  28. Adelmon, C. (1999). "Answers in the tool box: Academic intensity, attendance patterns, and bachelor's degree attainment".{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  29. Alexander, K.L.; Pallas, A.; Holupka, S. (1987). "Social background and academic determinants of two-year versus four-year college attendance: Evidence from two cohorts a decade apart". American Journal of Education. 96: 56–80. doi:10.1086/443881. S2CID   145686329.
  30. Cabrera, A.F.; La Nasa, S.M. (2000a). "On the path to college: Three critical tasks facing America's disadvantaged".{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  31. Cabrera, A.F.; La Nasa, S.M. (2000b). "Understand the college choice process".{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  32. Cabrera, A.F.; La Nasa, S.M. (2000). "Understanding the college choice of Disadvantaged students": 5–22.{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  33. Horn, Laura; Kojaku, Lawrence K. (August 2001). High school academic curriculum and the persistence path through college persistence and transfer behavior of undergraduates 3 years after entering 4-year institutions (PDF). DIANE Publishing. ISBN   978-1-4289-2618-9. ERIC   ED456694.
  34. Kane, J.; Spizman, L.M. (1994). "Race, financial aid and college attendance: Parents and geography matter". American Journal of Economics and Sociology: 85–97. doi:10.1111/j.1536-7150.1994.tb02677.x.
  35. McDonough, P.M. (1997). "Choosing colleges: How social class and schools structure opportunity" .{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  36. Stage, F.K.; Rushin, P.W. (1993). "A combined model of student predisposition to college and persistence in college". Journal of College Student Development: 276–282.
  37. Berkner, L.; Chavez, L. (1997). "Access to postsecondary education for the 1992 high school graduates".{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  38. Cabrera, A.F.; La Nasa, S.M. (2000a). "On the path to college: Three critical tasks facing America's disadvantaged".{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  39. McDonough, P.M. (1997). "Choosing colleges: How social class and schools structure opportunity" .{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  40. "Upward Bound Program". U.S. Department of Education. 20 December 2019.
  41. "Talent Search Program". U.S. Department of Education. 4 November 2019.
  42. "Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs". U.S. Department of Education. 21 November 2019.
  43. "AVID, Advancement Via Individual Determination". AVID.
  44. Harris, Jessica C.; Linder, Chris (2018). "The Racialized Experiences of Students of Color in Higher Education and Student Affairs Graduate Preparation Programs". Journal of College Student Development. 59 (2): 141–158. doi:10.1353/csd.2018.0014. S2CID   148645995.
  45. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Schultz, Patrick F. (2004-09-22). "Upon Entering College: First Semester Experiences of First-Generation Rural Students from Agricultural Families". Rural Educator. 26 (1): 48–51. ERIC   EJ783837 Gale   A177613005 ProQuest   220953627.
  46. 1 2 3 4 5 Battle, Juan; Wright, Earl (2002). "W.E.B. Du Bois's Talented Tenth: A Quantitative Assessment". Journal of Black Studies. 32 (6): 654–672. doi:10.1177/00234702032006002. JSTOR   3180968. S2CID   143962872.
  47. Goldrick-Rab, Sara; Kendall, Nancy (March 3, 2016). "The Real Price of College". The Century Foundation. Retrieved 2019-12-17.
  48. Wallpe, Melinda (2010). First-Year Female College Student Adjustment: An Examination of Potential Risk and Protective Factors. ProQuest: University of Kentucky, Ann Arbor. p. 116.
  49. Blaney, Jennifer M.; Stout, Jane G. (2017-03-08). "Examining the Relationship Between Introductory Computing Course Experiences, Self-Efficacy, and Belonging Among First-Generation College Women". Proceedings of the 2017 ACM SIGCSE Technical Symposium on Computer Science Education. SIGCSE '17. New York, NY, USA: Association for Computing Machinery. pp. 69–74. doi: 10.1145/3017680.3017751 . ISBN   978-1-4503-4698-6. S2CID   18445521.
  50. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Wang, Tiffany R. (3 July 2014). "'I'm the Only Person From Where I'm From to Go to College': Understanding the Memorable Messages First-Generation College Students Receive From Parents". Journal of Family Communication. 14 (3): 270–290. doi:10.1080/15267431.2014.908195. S2CID   144169285.
  51. "EAB Publishes Fast Facts About First-Generation Students". Higher Education Today. 2018-12-18. Retrieved 2019-12-11.
  52. Olson, J.S. (2014). "Opportunities, obstacles, and options: First-generation college graduates and Social Cognitive Theory". Journal of Career Development. 41 (3): 199–217. doi:10.1177/0894845313486352. S2CID   146413126.
  53. Brooks-Terry, Margaret (1988). "Tracing the Disadvantages of First-Generation College Students: An Application of Sussman's Option Sequence Model". Family and Support Systems across the Life Span. pp. 121–134. doi:10.1007/978-1-4899-2106-2_10. ISBN   978-1-4899-2108-6.
  54. 1 2 Orbe, Mark P. (2008). "Theorizing multidimensional identity negotiation: Reflections on the lived experiences of first-generation college students". New Directions for Child and Adolescent Development. 2008 (120): 81–95. doi: 10.1002/cd.217 . PMID   18521866.
  55. London, Howard B. (February 1989). "Breaking Away: A Study of First-Generation College Students and Their Families". American Journal of Education. 97 (2): 144–170. doi:10.1086/443919. S2CID   144358826.
  56. Heffernan, Colleen J. (1988). "Social foundations of thought and action: A social cognitive theory, Albert Bandura Englewood Cliffs". Behaviour Change. New Jersey: Prentice Hall. 5 (1): 37–38. doi:10.1017/S0813483900008238.
  57. Gibbons, Melinda M.; Borders, L. DiAnne (2010). "Prospective First-Generation College Students: A Social-Cognitive Perspective" (PDF). The Career Development Quarterly. 58 (3): 194–208. doi:10.1002/j.2161-0045.2010.tb00186.x.
  58. Holden, Chelsey L.; Wright, Lindsay E.; Herring, Angel M.; Sims, Pat L. (2021-06-06). "Imposter Syndrome Among First- and Continuing-Generation College Students: The Roles of Perfectionism and Stress". Journal of College Student Retention: Research, Theory & Practice: 15210251211019379. doi:10.1177/15210251211019379. ISSN   1521-0251. S2CID   236220517.
  59. Whitehead, Patrick M.; Wright, Robert (2016). "Becoming a College Student: An Empirical Phenomenological Analysis of First Generation College Students". Community College Journal of Research and Practice. 41 (10): 639–51. doi:10.1080/10668926.2016.1216474. S2CID   151841424.
  60. 1 2 Clance, Pauline Rose; Imes, Suzanne Ament (1978). "The imposter phenomenon in high achieving women: Dynamics and therapeutic intervention". Psychotherapy: Theory, Research & Practice. 15 (3): 241–247. doi:10.1037/h0086006. ISSN   0033-3204.
  61. "First-Generation University Students Are At Greater Risk Of Experiencing Imposter Syndrome". Research Digest. 2020-01-09. Retrieved 2021-11-11.
  62. 1 2 3 Canning, Elizabeth A.; LaCosse, Jennifer; Kroeper, Kathryn M.; Murphy, Mary C. (2020-07-01). "Feeling Like an Imposter: The Effect of Perceived Classroom Competition on the Daily Psychological Experiences of First-Generation College Students". Social Psychological and Personality Science. 11 (5): 647–657. doi: 10.1177/1948550619882032 . ISSN   1948-5506. S2CID   208508711.
  63. 1 2 Martinez, Julia A.; Sher, Kenneth J.; Krull, Jennifer L.; Wood, Phillip K. (2009). "Blue-Collar Scholars?: Mediators and Moderators of University Attrition in First-Generation College Students". Journal of College Student Development. 50 (1): 87–103. doi:10.1353/csd.0.0053. ISSN   0897-5264. PMC   2742431 . PMID   19750141.
  64. Pascarella, Ernest; Pierson, Christopher T; Wolniak, Gregory C; Terenzini, Patrick T (2004). "First-Generation College Students: Additional Evidence on College Experiences and Outcomes". The Journal of Higher Education (Columbus). Taylor & Francis. 75 (3): 249–284. JSTOR   3838816 via JSTOR.
  65. Ewing, Kimberly M.; Richardson, Tina Q.; James-Myers, Linda; Russell, Richard K. (1996-02-01). "The Relationship between Racial Identity Attitudes, Worldview, and African American Graduate Students' Experience of the Imposter Phenomenon". Journal of Black Psychology. 22 (1): 53–66. doi:10.1177/00957984960221005. ISSN   0095-7984. S2CID   144285002.
  66. Bothello, Joel; Roulet, Thomas J. (2019). "The Imposter Syndrome, or the Mis-Representation of Self in Academic Life". Journal of Management Studies. 56 (4): 854–861. doi: 10.1111/joms.12344 . S2CID   149888463.
  67. Le, Ling (2019). "Unpacking the Imposter Syndrome and Mental Health as a Person of Color First Generation College Student within Institutions of Higher Education". McNair Research Journal SJSU. 15 (5). doi: 10.31979/mrj.2019.1505 . S2CID   199368501.
  68. Stebleton, Michael J.; Soria, Krista M.; Huesman, Ronald L. (2014). "First-Generation Students' Sense of Belonging, Mental Health, and Use of Counseling Services at Public Research Universities". Journal of College Counseling. 17 (1): 6–20. doi:10.1002/j.2161-1882.2014.00044.x. ISSN   2161-1882.
  69. Hunt, Justin; Eisenberg, Daniel (2010-01-01). "Mental Health Problems and Help-Seeking Behavior Among College Students". Journal of Adolescent Health. 46 (1): 3–10. doi: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2009.08.008 . ISSN   1054-139X. PMID   20123251.
  70. McGowan, Kelly (2015). "Perceptions of Mental Health among First Year College Students". Honors Theses. 286.
  71. Kumar, Shamala; Jagacinski, Carolyn M. (2006-01-01). "Imposters have goals too: The imposter phenomenon and its relationship to achievement goal theory". Personality and Individual Differences. 40 (1): 147–157. doi:10.1016/j.paid.2005.05.014. ISSN   0191-8869.
  72. 1 2 3 DeAngelo, L., Franke, R., Hurtado, S., Pryor, J.H., & Tran, S. (2011). Completing college: Assessing graduation rates at four-year institutions. Los Angeles: Higher Education Research Institute, UCLA.
  73. "Wide Gap in Support for First Generation Students at Institutions [Study]". The College Post. 2018-10-05. Retrieved 2018-10-05.
  74. 1 2 3 U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, Students Whose Parents Did Not Go to College: Postsecondary Access, Persistence, and Attainment, NCES 2001-126, by Susan Choy. Washington, DC: 2001.
  75. "A first-generation Ph.D. student describes her struggles (opinion) | Inside Higher Ed". www.insidehighered.com. 9 October 2019. Retrieved 2019-12-11.
  76. Strayhorn, Terrell L. (1 January 2008). "The Role of Supportive Relationships in Facilitating African American Males' Success in College". NASPA Journal. 45 (1): 26–48. doi:10.2202/1949-6605.1906. S2CID   146435362.
  77. 1 2 Tieken, Mara Casey (2016). "College Talk and the Rural Economy: Shaping the Educational Aspirations of Rural, First-Generation Students". Peabody Journal of Education. 91 (2): 203–23. doi:10.1080/0161956x.2016.1151741. S2CID   147146327.
  78. 1 2 3 Covarrubias, Rebecca; Romero, Andrea; Trivelli, Michael (1 July 2015). "Family Achievement Guilt and Mental Well-being of College Students". Journal of Child and Family Studies. 24 (7): 2031–2037. doi:10.1007/s10826-014-0003-8. S2CID   147199080.
  79. Harrison, Laura M.; Price, Monica Hatfield (2017-02-24). Interrupting Class Inequality in Higher Education: Leadership for an Equitable Future. Taylor & Francis. p. 155. ISBN   9781317210672.
  80. Buse, Kathleen; Hill, Catherine; Singh, Romila (2018-06-21). Women's Under-Representation in the Engineering and Computing Professions: Fresh Perspectives on a Complex Problem. Frontiers Media SA. p. 121. ISBN   9782889454938.
  81. 1 2 3 4 Banks-Santilli, Linda (June 3, 2015). "Guilt is one of the biggest struggles first-generation college students face". The Washington Post .
  82. 1 2 3 4 Institute for Higher Education, P. (2012). "Supporting First-Generation College Students Through Classroom-Based Practices." Issue Brief. Institute for Higher Education Policy.