First Generation College Students
Presented by:
- O Bennett, Ivy Tech Community College Columbus
- Joan Poulsen, IU Columbus
11-8-2024
Hear about best practice approaches to help first-generation college students feel a sense of belonging on the AirPark Columbus College Campus. How can we make our campus culture, practices, and lexicon more welcoming? What can we do to help smooth student transitions as they engage in postsecondary education? How do our words and actions show our students that we have confidence in their ability to succeed in college?
Hear directly from a panel of AirPark Campus First Generation College students about their experiences – the barriers they faced and the strategies that were most helpful to them.
*********************************************************
Our thanks to these First Generation College student panel members:
- Vivian Alvarez
- Wendy Cartwright
- Maria Alexandra Garcia
- Dakota McLaughlin
- DaHeavenly Smith
First Generation College student panel members shared these experiences:
- Most are working full- or part-time
- Many have children or other family responsibilities causing their lives to be complicated, sometimes complex, and challenging
- Whatever is going on/has gone on in their life – their default is to “fix it themselves”
- They may not have had support when they needed it the most and so felt they were on their own
- They are reluctant to reach out and ask for help
- Their educational journey has not been linear – some:
- Returned to college multiple times,
- Enrolled in college after experiencing homelessness,
- Started college while still learning English,
- Enrolled in college with encouragement from employers,
- Lack encouragement from their family
- It is helpful to have someone to connect with – peers, advisor, staff or faculty member
- They view college as their route to a better future – more stability, more career opportunities, more fulfilling career options, and better financial security
- They have gained confidence in themselves, their abilities, and their potential since enrolling in college
First Generation College student panel members shared these suggestions for faculty:
- Be “human” and empathetic
- Don’t be grouchy, stern, or act upset. Everyone (faculty and students) comes into the class/classroom with their own challenges of the day that no one knows. Give some grace.
- Communicate in an open, genuine, and caring manner
- Offer options for assignments
- Recognize that the volume of reading in multiple classes is challenging for students working full- or part-time with family responsibilities
- Explain what information they are learning, why they are learning it, and how they will use it
Best practice approaches to help first-generation college students feel a sense of belonging:
- Adopt an asset-focused approach
- Recognize, appreciate, and affirm differences that exist in the campus community
- Assess needs throughout the full student life cycle
- Increase visibility and outreach – be accessible to students
- Equip and empower students to master the “hidden curriculum”
- Leverage alumni groups