Despite representing nearly a third of the national undergraduate populatio, first-generation college students are not always easy to identify on campus or in the community at large. Although there have been some efforts to target this population in the past, support for first-generation students generally has come through broader initiatives aimed at low-income or otherwise disadvantaged students. Recently, however, some higher education leaders have pushed to raise the profile of first-generation students through collective efforts geared toward greater postsecondary participation and success.
A new IHEP brief,
Supporting First-Generation College Students Through Classroom-Based Practices, captures how 30 minority-serving institutions leveraged support from the Walmart Minority Student Success Initiative to develop a multipronged approach based on the idea that what takes place in the classroom is central to the college experience. The report shares exactly how the institutions integrated faculty members as principal agents to create a more engaging learning environment -- ultimately promoting stronger performance academically and socially among first-generation students.
The brief also provides insights from the Walmart Minority Student Success Initiative participants on how to redesign instructional styles and course content, use data to develop and sustain programs, and secure community partnerships and support.
Download the brief
here.