standing in the doorway of success. at risk population growing segment of the college bound...
TRANSCRIPT
First Generation Students
Standing in the Doorway of
Success
Why Study First Generation Students?
At Risk Population Growing Segment of
the College Bound Population
Key to Enrollment Success for Many Institutions
Welcome to My House
The Doorway Cultural Differences Who’s Values Will be
Embraced?
“Education is not about learning more, it’s about behaving differently.” -
Ruskin
Studying First Generation Students in the VSC system
Studied Freshmen vs Sophomores Residential campuses/students only 41-question survey using 5-point Likert scale Broke down freshmen Pre-registered from not
returning Purpose – to determine if there were differences
in how these groups responded to questions
Findings of Interest Family
◦ 86% of all students maintained weekly contact Importance of Financial Aid
◦ 57% of Freshmen vs 73% of Sophomores◦ 24% of Freshmen did not know their debt level
Maintaining a Job◦ 59% of Freshmen employed vs 75% of Sophomores
Outside Influence◦ 50% of Freshmen had someone outside the family
influence their decision to attend college
Statistically Significant Findings
Family & Friends Work Connection to
Faculty/Campus Academic Preparation Career
Counseling/Relevance
Influencers
Family and Friends◦ Over 90% of all students reported their families were
supportive of them attending college◦ Over 90% reported their families continued to be
supportive of attending college ◦ Sophomores more likely to have HS friends still
enrolled in college (83% vs 64%) Work
◦ 80% of all respondents worked◦ Sophomores more likely to work only on campus
(44% vs 27%)
Influencers – Continued
Connection to Faculty & Campus◦ PR freshmen were more likely to believe their faculty
advisor was concerned about their success◦ More likely to believe most faculty were interested in
their success◦ More likely to think of themselves as campus citizens vs
customers Academic Preparation
◦ PR freshmen felt more academically prepared for college
◦ Once Enrolled PR freshmen gained confidence in their academic skills
◦ NR Freshmen confidence levels remained the same
Influencers – Continued
Career Counseling & Relevancy◦ PR Freshmen were more likely to be enrolled in a major
that suited their career goals◦ More likely to understand the relevance of a college
education to the real world
What Did We Learn?
First generation students remain close to family and friends in the first year
Work is important We must build stronger
connections with these students
Student issues are not one-dimensional
Academic skills and confidence are important
We must connect relevance of a college education
What are the Answers?
We must understand the cultural transition
Connect appropriate advisors
Connect curriculum to real world relevance
Develop academic confidence