First-Generation Student SuccessMcKendree Firsts
What’s First-Generation?
•First-Generation students are the first in their families to earn a
four-year degree.
Who are First-Gen Students?
•Neither parent has attended college or neither parent has completed a four-
year degree
(First Generation Students: Program, Resources & Support Webinar, 6/9/2010).
Across the United States
•30% of incoming students in 2009 were
First-Generation Students.
(USA Today, 3/29/10)
At McKendree University
•44% of incoming freshman at the Lebanon campus were
first-generation.
(McKendree administered CIRP Freshman Survey, 2009)
Why the concern?
•89% of first-gen students
drop out,
stall out,
or fail out.
(USA Today, 3/29/10)
First-gen students are 4X more likely to fail or quit before earning their degrees than are non-first-gen students.
The good news?
•McKendree University’s retention rate is better than the national average,
but we knew that, didn’t we?
More good news
•First-gens “have a better chance of earning
a bachelor’s degree if they start postsecondary education
at a four-year college rather than a two-year college.”
(College Student Journal. March, 2002)
The better news?
•McKendree University is committed to helping all students succeed and reaching
out to first-generation students.
First-Gen programs help ALL students
•Schools which focus on issuesof first-gen students
and create programs for first-gen studentsfind the strategies…
First-Gen programs help ALL students
…also benefit non-first-gen students,
but not vice-versa.
(Thayer, 2000)
McKendree University’s Office of First-Generation
Student Success established July, 2010
Services of the office ofFirst-Generation Student Success •Referrals to on-campus services
▫Helping students find the sources availableto them such as $$, tutoring, tech help, advising, etc.
Services of the office ofFirst-Generation Student Success•Referrals to off-campus services
▫Helping students find transportation, housing, childcare, and other necessities
•Increased academic assistance available through Academic Support Center andthe Writing Resource Center
Services of the office ofFirst-Generation Student Success
•Training, seminars, and webinars (like today!)
•On-line academic assistance to off-site students at Kentucky campuses, Scott Air Force Base, and Accelerated Instruction at McKendree (AiM)
Services of the office ofFirst-Generation Student Success•Ten new Scholarships!
•Funded by a grant from the Council of Independent Colleges and the Walmart Foundation
•$1,000 scholarships---ten of them---will beawarded in March
Purpose
•Help our students earn their degrees
First-Gen characteristics
•May not know the “language” of higher ed FAFSA? Dean’s List? Prerequisite?
First-Gen characteristics
•Report they don’t have money for college
•REALITY: First-gens don’t know how to access money
Good news!
•“The FAFSA has been more simplified and President Obama has helped with a new bill…to overhaul student loans and make
it easier to borrow federal funds.”
(Washington Post, 4/16/10)
More good $$$ news
•ALL students can fill out the FAFSAas soon as January 1,
EVEN IF THEY HAVE NOT COMPLETED THEIR TAXES FOR THE NEW YEAR YET.
First-gen characteristics
•Often less academically prepared
~Due in part to high schools not preparingthese students for college
~Also due to first-gens not imagining themselves as college students while
growing up
Good news
~The McKendree Academic Support Centerhas hired MORE tutors in more subjects.
~The Writing Resource Center has hired MOREwriting consultants and is open more hours.
~On-line services available to students who aren’t on the Lebanon campus.
First-gen characteristics
•First-gen students often report they feel like
IMPOSTERS,and when they need extra help,
this can validate their feelings of not belonging in college!
Motivators for first-gen students•Helping out the family financially•Bringing honor to the family•Gaining respect from others•Better life and “making it out”
(First Generation Students: Programs, Resources & Support, 6/9/10)
Overcoming the Imposter Phenomenon•The solution is to build strong
relationships professors, staff, and other students.
Students need to:Get involved!
Visit profs during office hours!Attend university events!
Advisors need to:
•Use “intrusive advising” and initiate contact in order to build relationships with students
•Expect questions about general college experiences
•Refer students to the office of First-Generation Student Success for more help
Professors need to:
•Teach and review study skills, note taking, writing papers
•Reach out to students•Be proactive •Encourage students to attend university
events
First-Generation Student Success
The key is building relationships.
First-generation students need to betaught how to utilize
the sources which are already available to them.