Centering First-Generation Student Success

First-generation students are valued members of the Wolfpack and DASA is taking action to support their unique needs and strengths.

Background

First-generation students are defined as students whose parents or guardians did not complete bachelor’s degrees. In 2020-2021, DASA Assessment and TRIO Collegiate Programs partnered to support a literature review and focus groups about first-generation student success. DASA Assessment worked with the undergraduate Pack Assessment Ambassadors to focus on student success topics most relevant to first-generation students. The Ambassadors’ goal was to provide insights and recommendations to the Division of Academic and Student Affairs (DASA) that could be used to better support first-generation student success. 

Literature Review and Focus Groups

In spring and summer 2021, the Pack Assessment Ambassadors performed a literature review about first-generation student success. Ambassadors identified topics that were most relevant to first-generation students: students’ sense of belonging and their utilization of support resources. Ambassadors worked with assessment staff to write focus group questions and practice facilitation. After facilitating virtual focus groups with first-generation in spring 2021, Ambassadors transcribed focus group data and used descriptive coding techniques to find themes. Ambassadors presented a research poster describing their work at the 2021 Undergraduate Research Symposium, which included recommendations for faculty and staff based on their findings.

Student Recommendations

In summer 2021, the Pack Assessment Ambassadors created a visual report containing their findings about first-generation experiences at NC State, their recommendations for supporting these students, and relevant student resources. Next steps and reflection questions are provided for faculty and staff who are interested in taking action to use these findings in support of student success.

Read the Pack Assessment Ambassadors’ Report

Selected highlights from the report are displayed below.

Taking Action to Improve the First-Generation NC State Student Experience

In 2021-2022, DASA convened a team to take next steps to promote the success of first-generation students. Faculty and staff from a variety of units reviewed student recommendations and identified key data points about first-generation students at NC State. DASA hosted a First Generation College Student Summit in November 2022 to bring together units from across campus together to take action to improve the experience of first-generation NC State students. Summit attendees left with the task to bring their ideas back to their colleagues and draft plans to update their practices. In February 2023, the summit participants presented their plans to first-generation NC State students to receive feedback.

Data-Informed Decisions

Units across NC State focused their action plans on improving awareness and use of campus resources, adding opportunities to build community and breaking down barriers to equitable access. Units accomplished this by creating hubs of information to make it easier to navigate the complex university environment and developing social and networking events to build connections. 

• To assist in the transition to NC State Prevention Services created virtual care packages for new students and for family members. These care packages highlight resources and common challenges faced by students. 
• The Academic Success Center created an NC State Resources webpage to have an easy to reference list that helps students learn university language and the different resources available to them.

Moving Forward

Making impactful changes or shifting practices takes time and dedication. If you want to center the experience of first-generation students in your work, please use the resources listed above in addition to these reflection questions below.

Reflection Questions for Faculty and Staff