First Generation College Students: Challenges and Rewards

Authors

Tabitha Houston
Jennifer McWhorter
Lynn Geurin, Faculty Mentor

Files

Description

First-generation college students are defined as those whose parents do not hold a bachelor's degree or higher. • There is a 73% higher dropout rate among first generation college students compared to their peers from legacy families (Davis, 2024). • Key factors impacting first-generation students include self-image, academic performance, and financial security (Flynn & Macleod, 2015). • Lack of sufficient support can lead to serious mental health problems for first-generation students (Johnson & Riley, 2021). • Academic programs specifically designed for first generation students have been shown to increase retention and graduation rates (Katrevich & Arguete, 2017). • A study of higher education institutions by Karp et al. (2020) found only 17% of institutions have dedicated faculty and staff for serving first-generation college students.

Publication Date

4-16-2025

Disciplines

Higher Education | Scholarship of Teaching and Learning

Recommended Citation

Houston, Tabitha; McWhorter, Jennifer; and Geurin, Lynn, "First Generation College Students: Challenges and Rewards" (2025). 2025 Celebration of Student Scholarship - Poster Presentations. 56.
https://scholarworks.moreheadstate.edu/celebration_posters_2025/56