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First-Generation Student Success

First-Generation Student Success. McKendree 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

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First-Generation Student Success

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  1. First-Generation Student Success McKendree Firsts

  2. What’s First-Generation? • First-Generation students are the first in their families to earn a four-year degree.

  3. 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).

  4. Across the United States • 30% of incoming students in 2009 were First-Generation Students. (USA Today, 3/29/10)

  5. At McKendree University • 44% of incoming freshman at the Lebanon campus were first-generation. (McKendree administered CIRP Freshman Survey, 2009)

  6. Why the concern? • 89% of first-gen students drop out, stall out, or fail out. (USA Today, 3/29/10)

  7. First-gen students are 4X more likely to fail or quit before earning their degrees than are non-first-gen students.

  8. The good news? • McKendree University’s retention rate is better than the national average,

  9. but we knew that, didn’t we?

  10. 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)

  11. The better news? • McKendree University is committed to helping all students succeed and reaching out to first-generation students.

  12. First-Gen programs help ALL students • Schools which focus on issues of first-gen students and create programs for first-gen students find the strategies…

  13. First-Gen programs help ALL students …also benefit non-first-gen students, but not vice-versa. (Thayer, 2000)

  14. McKendree University’s Office of First-Generation Student Success established July, 2010

  15. Services of the office ofFirst-Generation Student Success • Referrals to on-campus services • Helping students find the sources available to them such as $$, tutoring, tech help, advising, etc.

  16. 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 and the Writing Resource Center

  17. 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)

  18. 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 be awarded in March

  19. Purpose • Help our students earn their degrees

  20. First-Gen characteristics • May not know the “language” of higher ed • FAFSA? • Dean’s List? • Prerequisite?

  21. First-Gen characteristics • Report they don’t have money for college • REALITY: First-gens don’t know how to access money

  22. 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)

  23. More good $$$ news • ALL students can fill out the FAFSA as soon as January 1, EVEN IF THEY HAVE NOT COMPLETED THEIR TAXES FOR THE NEW YEAR YET.

  24. First-gen characteristics • Often less academically prepared ~Due in part to high schools not preparing these students for college ~Also due to first-gens not imagining themselves as college students while growing up

  25. Good news ~The McKendree Academic Support Center has hired MORE tutors in more subjects. ~The Writing Resource Center has hired MORE writing consultants and is open more hours. ~On-line services available to students who aren’t on the Lebanon campus.

  26. 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!

  27. 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)

  28. 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!

  29. 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

  30. Professors need to: • Teach and review study skills, note taking, writing papers • Reach out to students • Be proactive • Encourage students to attend university events

  31. First-Generation Student Success The key is building relationships. First-generation students need to be taught how to utilize the sources which are already available to them.

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