Breaking new ground creates excitement by facing challenges in the pursuit of goals and dreams. Being first-gen is a great source of pride, and with recognition and support, leads to a higher level of success.
When Jennine Capó Crucet was a college freshman, her parents stayed for her entire orientation. It wasn’t because they especially wanted to; they just didn’t know what they were meant to do. As a first-generation college student, Crucet was not aware of the norms understood by most of her peers. Now a novelist and professor, she gives her take on what first-generation students need.
In this video: A new initiative by the University of California system uses first-generation faculty to guide first-generation students, with the goal of decreasing dropout rates.
In this video: The biggest challenge for first-generation students may not be exams or papers, but finding the means to survive.
