Running head: FIRST GENERATION STUDENTS

First Generation Students

Ulysses Montes

Los Angeles Leadership Academy

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Abstract

This paper initially explains what a first generation college student is and analyzes data in

order to support the definition provided. The purpose of this paper is to inform the reader about

the impact that first generation students have on their family and community. The research

provides a look at various aspects such as the importance of college, teaching first generation

college students, and unique challenges of first generation college students.

Key words: First generation, college, family, community, education

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First Generation Students

A college education for a first generation student can have several positive impacts on

multiple aspects of that individual's life. Going to college, for some people, might be seen as a

waste of time, but all it takes is confidence and hard work for a student to create a chain reaction.

When a person pursues a higher education they can experience earning higher income, obtaining

an education that is valued across the nation, and meeting life long friends who will encourage

the individual's success. Many people who take the challenge of going on to higher education

experience challenges and persevere through them, but for a first generation student, enrollment

and graduation from a four-year college creates great pressure to make changes for the

individual's family and community.

Defining a First Generation Student

So, what does it means to be a first generation student? A first-generation student is

characterized by the level of education a persons parents have obtained. Therefore, when neither

his or her parents have attended a four year college a student is considered a first generation

college student. First generation college students may experience different struggles in

comparison to those students whose parents have attended college previously. Research has

shown that first generation students, struggle to succeed in college when compared to students

whose parents attended college, so-called continuing-generation students, (Galina, 2016). The

struggle first generation students experience is due to the fact that they dont have a personal

example of what a successful college student is. One in six students who are on pursuit to obtain

a higher education have been classified as first generation (Galina, 2016). Additionally, to

expand on the point of first generation students, it can be said that those labeled as first gen do
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struggle more than continuing-generation students which emphasizes the gap between the two

graduation rates.

Many people who are given the title first generation student are most likely to have the

following characteristics be low-income, female, Hispanic, and African-American (Terenzini et

al., 1996), (Galina, 2016). These statistics demonstrate that first generation students are people

of color and attend college in hopes of moving up in social ranks. Around the years of 2003 to

2004s academic school year 45% of new students enrolling in four-year institutions were first-

generation students. Additionally, of the first-generation college students who enter into four-

year institutions only 43% obtain a bachelor's degree, compared to 59% of continuing-generation

college students (Pascarella, 2004). Even though it is said that first generation students struggle

more than their counterparts, continuing-generation college students, the percentage of how

many have obtained a college graduation degree are fairly close and the numbers will only

continue to increase (Pascarella, 2004).

Family Impact

In order to understand how a college education for a first generation can leave a positive

impact on his or her family, we need to understand the benefits that come from a post secondary

education. The research states that, The U.S. has been transformed from a manufacturing-based

economy to an economy based on knowledge, and the importance of a college education today

can be compared to that of a high school education forty years ago. It serves as the gateway to

better options and more opportunity (McGuire, 2011). This basically states that in order to have

a successful life the individual should go to college because a high school diploma should not be

considered good enough. High school diplomas only give the individual a limited amount of
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job opportunities with minimum wage; therefore, a high school diploma is not considered

substantial.

The impact on family from a first generation student begins by educating them about the

importance of obtaining a four-year college education. The individual who is considered a first

generation student can be seen as a role model for the rest of the family and can influence the

upcoming generations to follow in their footsteps. Research says, One of the satisfactions of

going to college is watching other peoples lives change because they see you doing well. The

pride they take in you can turn into new ambitions for themselves (Cushman, 2006).

Encouraging family members to accompany success and help them create their own success is an

impact that can come from a first generation student receiving college education. Jackie, a

college student, demonstrates how her education has influenced her mom by stating, When Im

doing good, my parents tell me that I encourage them. My mom gets exams at work, too, because

where she works you have to know what youre doing. So shell come home: Look Jackie, I got

100 percent!(Benjamin, 2015). This example demonstrates how first generation college students

can impact their families regardless of their current situation. When students from first

generation families succeed they motivate and encourage those who may not think its possible.

Community Impact

When people feel successful they tend to want to give back to their communities and the

same can be said for first generation college students. According to The Unique Challenges of a

First Generation College Student it states, This desire also extends to the community, with

61% of first-generation college students wanting to give back to their communities compared to

43% of their non-first-generation peers, (Banks-Santilli, 2015). Bank-Santilli is addresses the

fact that the struggles first generation college students face, make them more appreciative of the
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people who have helped them along the way; therefore, a larger majority of them want to give

back to their communities (Banks-Santilli, 2015). In reference to the 61% of first-generation

college students, it does not specify if they are graduates but the statistic is still higher than those

who have predecessors (Banks-Santilli, 2015). Another example comes from the book First in

The Family, Niema likes to visit her high school in Oakland, from which few students go on to

college. When she talks to younger people about their possible futures, she knows that her

example is giving them hope, (Cushman, 2006). According to Cushman the college student,

Niema, gives back to her community by encouraging a change in her school's percentage rate of

students who further their education. She says she enjoys giving a sense of hope to, younger

people because the information that she provides them might be what determines their pursuit

of a college education (Cushman, 2006).

Conclusion

Lastly, what it really means to be a first generation student involves more than just the

generic definition, the research illustrates the strong tie between personal experience and

person's experiences. A first generation student is the positive light for a family that has never

had a college education. They are the ones who open a door for their family in order to

encourage them to pursue higher dreams. They also become the example and guiding role

models for their younger siblings. Furthermore, research indicates first generation students can

bring their family new experiences, adventures and advantages. These students are the ones who

obtain a career that can earn an income that their families never imagined. Because of all of these

experiences, a first generation student is also a person who gives back to the community in

gratitude of all of the knowledge and experiences they have gained throughout their educational

career.
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References

Banks-Santilli, Linda. (2015). The Unique Challenges of a First-generation College

Student. Quartz. Retrieved from:

https://qz.com/418695/the-unique-challenges-of-a-first-generation-college-student/

Benjamin, Mimi. (2015). Learning Communities from Start to Finish. San Francisco, CA:

Jossey-Bass. Retrieved from:

https://books.google.com/books?id=2gjrBgAAQBAJ&pg=PA72&lpg=PA72&dq=learn

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%20finish&f=false

Cushman, Kathleen. (2006). First in the Family: Your College Years, Advice about College from

First-generation Students. Providence, RI: Next Generation. Retrieved from:

http://www.firstinthefamily.org/pdfs/First%20in%20Family_manuscript.pdf

Galina, Ben. (2017). Teaching First-Generation College Students. Center for Teaching.

Vanderbilt University. Retrieved from:

https://cft.vanderbilt.edu/teaching-first-generation-college-students/

McGuire, Jeff. (2011). Importance of College Education. Articles Advice. CollegeView.

Retrieved from:
http://www.collegeview.com/articles/article/importance-of-college-education
Pascarella, Ernest T., Christopher T. Pierson, Gregory C. Wolniak, and Patrick T. Terenzini.

(2004) Project MUSE. Vol. 75., Ohio State UP, Retrieved from:

https://studentsuccess.unc.edu/files/2016/02/75.3pascarella-1.pdf