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Creating Community: First-Gen Sense Of Belonging, Lisa Cardello, Amina Mostafa
Creating Community: First-Gen Sense Of Belonging, Lisa Cardello, Amina Mostafa
First-Generation Symposium
First-generation college students are the first in their families to pursue higher education degrees, and as such are piloting new undertakings in many respects. Research on a sense of belonging has demonstrated that higher rates of belonging are correlated with greater academic success and graduation outcomes (Gopalan & Brady, 2020). Estimates display first-generation college students, make up around a quarter to one third of total enrollment in post-secondary institutions in the United States, however graduate at a significantly lower rate than the national average. And first-generation college students are a particularly vulnerable population and have been found to have several …
A Tale Of Two Low-Income, First-Generation Engineering Students: Well-Being, Belonging, And The Role Of Chosen Family, Justin C. Major
A Tale Of Two Low-Income, First-Generation Engineering Students: Well-Being, Belonging, And The Role Of Chosen Family, Justin C. Major
First-Generation Symposium
Belonging has been identified as an important, if not the most important, factor impacting the success of college students, especially (multi)marginalized students in engineering programs. Well-being and belonging are deeply entwined, helping to explain how the strength of students affinities lead them to feel a sense of true happiness that guide their holistic success. In this presentation, I present two differing narrative stories from Samantha and Rocky, two non-white, low-income, first-generation women in engineering. At the time of their narratives, both women were in the fourth year of their engineering degrees; however, Samantha was graduating and Rocky was not. In …
First-Gen Students: Finding Their Purpose, Meredith Brown, Lamont Eli Booth
First-Gen Students: Finding Their Purpose, Meredith Brown, Lamont Eli Booth
First-Generation Symposium
The life of a first generation college student is one that is complex. Not only because of the fact they are the first in their family to embark on a college journey but because of the experiences they encounter. The various journeys they embark on throughout their time in college is what makes each student unique in their own right. And all of this is attributed to one thing, purpose. Without purpose, the journey of a college student is one without a destination. One that is just going through the motions. For our first generation college students, we want them …
Supporting The Mental Health Needs Of First-Generation Students, Andrea Leach
Supporting The Mental Health Needs Of First-Generation Students, Andrea Leach
First-Generation Symposium
Discussion about the current research on First Generation Student and mental health concerns including anxiety, depression, stress related to housing, finances, lack of supports and pressure to succeed. This presentation will discuss recommendations to improve mental health for these students as well as the services available at Rowan.
Classroom Routines To Support Inclusion And Engagement For First Gen Students, Jill Perry, Robert Wieman
Classroom Routines To Support Inclusion And Engagement For First Gen Students, Jill Perry, Robert Wieman
First-Generation Symposium
Though First Generation Students are a diverse group, many of them encounter common challenges within the college setting. First Generation Students often worry that college education is not for them, that they do not belong, leading to feelings of loneliness, isolation and alienation. Social interactions can feel like a stressful test of suitability and belonging. This can threaten academic success, especially in classes that require discussion, participation, and risk-taking. This workshop seeks to support faculty in addressing these challenging feelings and supporting positive academic behaviors.
The Lessons Learned And Experienced Gained Navigating (Graduate) Student Life As A Dad And Mentoring A First-Generation Graduate Student, Mitja Trkov
First-Generation Symposium
Parenting often presents challenges on its own. Combining it with challenges of graduate studies and financial instability brings additional challenges and puts a higher pressures to handle everyday life situations. In this talk, I will present two experiences from my life. First, I will highlight my path of being an international graduate student while raising two little kids. Following, I will focus on my experience of (partially) mentoring a first-generation graduate student while being a postdoc. In the first part, I will discuss about the challenges of students as parents. I will provide an example of how I took my …
Síndrome Del Imposter: Feeling Like A Fraud And Overcoming The Symptoms, Erika Solis
Síndrome Del Imposter: Feeling Like A Fraud And Overcoming The Symptoms, Erika Solis
First-Generation Symposium
Constantly comparing yourself to others. Questioning your abilities. Feeling like a fraud. These are a few symptoms of imposter syndrome, and it's common in first-generation students. It's a psychological pattern, where someone doubts their achievements and is afraid of being exposed as a 'fraud'. It can shape a student's entire identity in college, leading to stress, anxiety, and depression. This presentation will cover the broader symptoms of imposter syndrome and how it can greatly influence first-generation college students. We'll discuss the long-term effects of it, what students can do to overcome it, and how faculty can support their students.
Las Vias: Creating Pathways To Graduation, Dr. Maud Fried-Goodnight, Iris Torres
Las Vias: Creating Pathways To Graduation, Dr. Maud Fried-Goodnight, Iris Torres
First-Generation Symposium
Rowan College of South Jersey - Cumberland campus (previously Cumberland County College) implemented the Las Vias - Pathways to Graduation program, with required Touch Points to guide students to credential completion over the past 5 years. Graduation rates have increased 19% for Hispanic students, 9% for African American students and 13% for all students. Vías hacia la Graduación, a Title V grant funded program established Academic Pathways, a team of bilingual Student Development Advisors, and an Early Alert system to raise Flags, report Attendance, and Kudos. Hispanic/ Latino and African American students, First Generation and Pell recipients demonstrated progress toward …
First To Fly: Building First Generation Campus Community From The Ground Up, Claude Taylor, Jenna Fleming
First To Fly: Building First Generation Campus Community From The Ground Up, Claude Taylor, Jenna Fleming
First-Generation Symposium
This panel will highlight the development, growth, and evolution of First to Fly: First Generation at Monmouth. Launched in spring 2017, First to Fly provides student-centered initiatives designed to offer academic, social, and personal support for students who identify as first-generation. Co-presenters Claude Taylor and Jenna Fleming will discuss a range of challenges and successes related to raising awareness of first-generation identity and experiences on their campus. The design of these initiatives is to build an inclusive community across students, faculty, and staff stakeholders. Particular attention will be given to defining first-generation identity, the role of mentoring, and promoting campus-wide …
Challenges Foster Youth Face In Pursuing Higher Education, Hailey D'Elia
Challenges Foster Youth Face In Pursuing Higher Education, Hailey D'Elia
First-Generation Symposium
This discussion aims to address the challenges that foster youth face in pursuing higher education. With little to no family and community support college is more demanding for foster youth. About 50% of foster youth graduate from high school and less than 3% of foster youth graduate from four-year colleges. Additionally, first generation foster youth face their own unique identities and trials in college. This discussion will include a personal perspective of how foster youth are viewed in the education system.
The First-Generation Latinx Experience And How Families Hold The Key To Retention, Yasmin Acosta
The First-Generation Latinx Experience And How Families Hold The Key To Retention, Yasmin Acosta
First-Generation Symposium
Drew University’s new initiative Launch is designed to prepare students/future leaders with the skills necessary to adapt to a changing workforce in the 21st century. Our goal is to help our students create a purpose-driven life plan in line with their interests, skills, and values, and the confidence to put this plan into action. Launch consists of a 1-credit mandatory course for first-year students that includes a selfassessment piece, three guaranteed immersive experiences, professional and identity/intercultural development, mentor relationships with peers, alumni, staff, faculty, and community members and the creation of a career plan e-portfolio. Launch also includes Career and …
What About The "Others"? Addressing Class-Based Microaggressions And Supporting Fgli Students At Penn, Hatef Alavi
What About The "Others"? Addressing Class-Based Microaggressions And Supporting Fgli Students At Penn, Hatef Alavi
First-Generation Symposium
First-Generation and/Lower income students are often seen as the “others”, which is a terminology that was used by Ronald Takaki to refer to anyone who is not White and comes from low socioeconomic status (Takaki, 2008). Over the past three decades, college enrollment for first-generation students have increased and it continues to rise. However, higher education institutions are still experiencing higher attrition and lower retention and graduation rates in relation to this population (Blackwell & Pinder, 2014). Some contributing factors to this issue are lack of parental support, absence of knowledge on how to navigate the higher education system, financial …
An Overlooked Piece Of First-Gen College Success: Overcoming Past Traumatic Experiences, Dr. Angelle Richardson, Dr. Dyron Corley
An Overlooked Piece Of First-Gen College Success: Overcoming Past Traumatic Experiences, Dr. Angelle Richardson, Dr. Dyron Corley
First-Generation Symposium
Transitioning to higher education is a challenge for most first-generation students; however, it can be even more challenging for those who have experienced past trauma. Up to 85 percent of young people report being exposed to a traumatic event before entering college. Often, educators who are not trained to recognize trauma responses can miss signs when they appear in their students. This can create distance in the student/educator relationship. This workshop session will help educators recognize signs of and triggers for trauma so that they can better serve the students in their care. Using the principles of the Sandy Blume’s …
Put Some "Respeck" On The Respect Of The First-Gen Student Experience, Dr. Dyron J. Corley, Dr. Dana C. Kemery
Put Some "Respeck" On The Respect Of The First-Gen Student Experience, Dr. Dyron J. Corley, Dr. Dana C. Kemery
First-Generation Symposium
First-generation students bring various experiences and understandings to the educational environment that can enrich the overall experience for students, faculty, and staff members. Although this student population has meaningful past experiences to share, they often do not know how to capitalize on those experiences or how the experiences align with ultimate college success. As educators, we often miss the mark focusing on the task of being a “student” versus building on the strengths learners already have within them. It is easy to view and interact with these learners from a deficit mindset, negating the abilities they already have. At Rutgers-Camden, …
Two Generations Of First-Gen Stories: What Has Changed And What Has Not, Rosaria Pipitone, Ma, Cdfi, Tommy Choi
Two Generations Of First-Gen Stories: What Has Changed And What Has Not, Rosaria Pipitone, Ma, Cdfi, Tommy Choi
First-Generation Symposium
Tommy Choi is a Biology major at Rowan University, a Resident Assistant, and an IWS worker at the Office of Career Advancement. Rosaria Pipitone is the Associate Director of Career Readiness at the Office of Career Advancement. Both are bilingual, first-generation students who come from different cultural backgrounds. Together, they share their stories of navigating the education system and the world of work from a first-generation standpoint.
Positing Strength: Shifting Perspective & Focus On Low-Income, First-Generation Students' Experiences, Ricky Urgo, Richard Jones
Positing Strength: Shifting Perspective & Focus On Low-Income, First-Generation Students' Experiences, Ricky Urgo, Richard Jones
First-Generation Symposium
This presentation explores and celebrates the strengths of students who find themselves at the merger of being first generation and low income identities, and the role of having staff members who've either lived the experience or seek to embrace students living this truth. Considering the increase in students with these identities on campus nationally (33% of students on average), it behooves us to shift perspectives away from deficits and celebrate the skill sets that students bring to our campuses. Using Yosso's (2005) Community Cultural Wealth Model, this presentation seeks to highlight the strengths students bring to our campuses and the …
How To Figure Out College (When You're Family Can't Help You), Stephanie Abraham
How To Figure Out College (When You're Family Can't Help You), Stephanie Abraham
First-Generation Symposium
In this presentation, I will talk about my own experiences as a first generation high school graduate and college student. Specifically, I will address the lack of support in high school, difficulty of applying for and finding financial aid, and the problem of "time" during undergraduate preparation. I will offer some advice for first generation students and faculty; however, I will also offer a strong critique of the structure of the United States’ university system, which must be changed to offer equal and equitable support for all people who want to attend a university or college.
The Resilience And Success Of Adult College Students Who Have Been Impacted By Parental Incarceration, Sandra Joy, Phd, Lcsw, Mikenzie Lord, Sunovia Scudder
The Resilience And Success Of Adult College Students Who Have Been Impacted By Parental Incarceration, Sandra Joy, Phd, Lcsw, Mikenzie Lord, Sunovia Scudder
First-Generation Symposium
Given the increased attention in recent decades to the national crisis of mass incarceration, the children of incarcerated parents have also been receiving increasingly more attention. Researchers have found that the children of those who have been incarcerated, are also paying the price of their parent's sentence. With the odds set against them, there are children who are resilient and have "beat the odds." On Rowan University's campus, there is a student group, Youth Empowerment Program, who have been impacted by parental incarceration at some point in their lives. With the disenfranchisement their parents face, they have also faced challenges …
Piecing It Together: The Puzzle Of The First-Generation Identity Crisis, Bareeq Barqawi
Piecing It Together: The Puzzle Of The First-Generation Identity Crisis, Bareeq Barqawi
First-Generation Symposium
After first enrolling in college, comparatively more first-generation students drop out than their non-firstgeneration peers before earning a degree. Although first generation students are gaining access to college, the support structures created within these institutions may fall short to address the psychological needs and deep-seated issues they face. How can we better understand these experiences and what can we do to help guide them through these phases? Using the “culture shock” framework, this session will review the four stages of “culture shock” and the way they correlate directly to the firstgeneration student experience. The four phases to be discussed are: …
Educating The Whole Family: Best Practices For Advising First-Generation Students, Michelle Applegate, Nicolas Latorre
Educating The Whole Family: Best Practices For Advising First-Generation Students, Michelle Applegate, Nicolas Latorre
First-Generation Symposium
Being a first-generation student can feel like a very solitary experience. This secluded feeling can be exasperated if the student’s network of support does not feel supportive to them. In many instances family and friends, whom a first generation student may rely on for support, may actually be causing additional stress due to their own unfamiliarity with the college experience. We as advisors must create an environment that incorporates education for the whole family in order for the student to gain the autonomy needed to pursue their passions and be successful. This discussion-based session will incorporate real world examples and …
First-Generation College Students And "Othering" In Undergraduate Engineering, Dr. Harriet Hartman, Dr. Stephanie Farrell, Dr. Ralph Dusseau, Dr. Kauser Jahan, Sarah Bauer, Dr. Tiago Forin, Dr. Beena Sukumaran, Stephanie Lezotte, Cra, Danilo Zeppilli, Eit, Theresa Bruckerhoff
First-Generation College Students And "Othering" In Undergraduate Engineering, Dr. Harriet Hartman, Dr. Stephanie Farrell, Dr. Ralph Dusseau, Dr. Kauser Jahan, Sarah Bauer, Dr. Tiago Forin, Dr. Beena Sukumaran, Stephanie Lezotte, Cra, Danilo Zeppilli, Eit, Theresa Bruckerhoff
First-Generation Symposium
We have baseline data collected from a sample of all Rowan engineering students in 2015-6, and have analyzed the differences between first-generation engineering students (FGES) and non-first-generation engineering students (Non-FGES) with respect to (a) their perceptions of “otherness” in a variety of situations in engineering at Rowan (FGES do not perceive themselves as “other” in most situations); (b) their background in engineering-related subjects and extra-curricular activities in high school (FGES background differs from Non-FGES); (c) their satisfaction with various aspects of the engineering program at Rowan (there are few differences); (d) their self-confidence as engineers (there are some differences); and …
Battling Imposter Syndrome: You Persevered! Luck Has No Place Here, Julius Grayson, Dr. Lesley Mateo
Battling Imposter Syndrome: You Persevered! Luck Has No Place Here, Julius Grayson, Dr. Lesley Mateo
First-Generation Symposium
The pressure to succeed and set yourself apart from the rest may seem overwhelming! If you identify as an underrepresented minority (URM) in higher education, the pressure intensifies when you are unable to see yourself, relate and/or identify with your college instructors or campus. Research suggests that identifying as an URM and not having visible representation of yourself in the classroom or on campus can lead to something known as Impostor Phenomenon (IP) also known as Impostor Syndrome. IP is the belief that achievement and success occur not because of performance or ability but rather because of luck. IP negatively …
Thriving, Not Surviving, Corinne Werner
Thriving, Not Surviving, Corinne Werner
First-Generation Symposium
Struggle, hardship, turmoil. These are a few words that come to mind when thinking about barriers to success that first-generation college students face. How can we help turn these three adjectives into more positive predictors? This educational workshop focuses on evidenced-based practices for supporting first-gen students, specifically focusing on two effective programs for at-risk scholars. Together, we will investigate the workings of the University of California’s (UC) Student Academic Preparation and Educational Partnerships (SAPEP) program and Colorado State University’s (CSU) Key Communities (Key) program. SAPEP’s programs work holistically with educational institutions, community organizations, and the business sector to improve academic …
Coordinating Resources Efficiently To Bolster Success Among Underserved College Students, Amanda Ciavarella
Coordinating Resources Efficiently To Bolster Success Among Underserved College Students, Amanda Ciavarella
First-Generation Symposium
Based on a 5-year study at Montgomery County Community College (PA), during which academic support and mentorship programming was developed for student-athletes, four key pillars of support were identified as contributory to increases in completion rates, success rates and GPA among students from underserved populations (including, but not limited to, students who identify as being first generation, minority, LGBTQ, disabled, poverty-stricken, underprepared, non-traditional, international or displaced). Students participating in all four pillar programs performed 321% better than average; participation in three of the four programs resulted in a 96% better performance; and those participating in two or less of the …