scholarly journals Not All Disadvantages Are Equal: Racial/Ethnic Minority Students Have Largest Disadvantage Among Demographic Groups in Both STEM and Non-STEM GPA

AERA Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 233285842110598
Author(s):  
Kyle M. Whitcomb ◽  
Sonja Cwik ◽  
Chandralekha Singh
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Research University ◽  
First Generation ◽  
Underrepresented Minority ◽  
First Generation College Student ◽  
Demographic Groups ◽  
Institutional Data ◽  
Income Status ◽  
First Generation College ◽  
Historically Disadvantaged

An analysis of institutional data to understand the outcome of obstacles faced by students from historically disadvantaged backgrounds is important in order to work toward promoting equity and inclusion. We use 10 years of institutional data at a large public research university to investigate the grades earned by students categorized on four demographic characteristics: gender, race/ethnicity, low-income status, and first-generation college student status. We find that on average across all years of study, underrepresented minority (URM) students experience a larger penalty to their mean overall and STEM GPA than even the most disadvantaged non-URM students. Moreover, the URM students with additional disadvantages due to socioeconomic status or first-generation college status were further penalized in their average GPA. These inequitable outcomes point to systemic inequities in higher education for students with historically disadvantaged backgrounds and the need to dismantle institutional inertia to support them.

Developing a Family Achievement Guilt Scale Grounded in First-Generation College Student Voices

2020 ◽  
Vol 46 (11) ◽  
pp. 1553-1566
Author(s):  
Rebecca Covarrubias ◽  
Isidro Landa ◽  
Ronald Gallimore
Keyword(s):  
Factor Analysis ◽  
Student Outcomes ◽  
First Generation ◽  
First Generation College Students ◽  
Family Roles ◽  
Student Voices ◽  
First Generation College Student ◽  
The Family ◽  
First Generation College ◽  
Test Retest Reliability

As the first in their families to attend college, first-generation students plausibly experience family achievement guilt—socioemotional distress related to “leaving family members” to attend college. Family achievement guilt is little studied but a promising indicator of student outcomes. The present work used psychometric methods to develop the family achievement guilt scale. First-generation (46.6%) and continuing-generation (i.e., at least one parent has a 4-year degree, 53.4%) students completed a 41-item guilt measure online. Exploratory factor analysis revealed four factors, including guilt related to Leaving Family Behind, Having More Privileges, Becoming Different, and Experiencing Pressures about not being successful. The scale yielded good internal and test–retest reliability. Moreover, guilt predicted greater engagement in family roles and interdependent motives for college, even after controlling for general negative affect. In measuring guilt in psychometrically sound ways, we validate the voices of first-generation college students and alert institutions to adjust how they serve students.

scholarly journals Fighting for Equity and Community in an Urban Research University

2018 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary Ho ◽  
George Sanchez
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Students Of Color ◽  
Research University ◽  
First Generation ◽  
College Success ◽  
First Generation College Students ◽  
University Of Southern California ◽  
Student Body ◽  
Predominantly White Universities ◽  
First Generation College

The equity lens evaluates institutional barriers that prevent students of color from gaining access to resources for college success (Bensimon, 2005). The first-generation college students at the University of Southern California are 16% of the total student body and students of color comprise two-thirds of this population. Since 2008, how to support first generation college students of color in their academic achievement and college success once in college has expanded the discussion beyond access.  By evaluating institutional structures through the equity lens, the response has been to create intentional academic and social programs for first generation college students of color that bridge the academic and student services divide.  Through descriptions of actual programs and stories from students affected by these programs, this essay will discuss innovative approaches to serving first-generation students of color at predominantly white universities.

First-Generation College Student Success

2018 ◽  
pp. 55-90
Author(s):  
Chen Zuo ◽  
Evan Mulfinger ◽  
Frederick L. Oswald ◽  
Alex Casillas
Keyword(s):  
College Student ◽  
Student Success ◽  
First Generation ◽  
College Student Success ◽  
First Generation College Student ◽  
First Generation College

Talking ‘Bout My Generation: Defining “First-Generation College Students” in Higher Education Research

2018 ◽  
Vol 120 (4) ◽  
pp. 1-38
Author(s):  
Robert K. Toutkoushian ◽  
Robert A. Stollberg ◽  
Kelly A. Slaton
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
College Students ◽  
First Generation ◽  
First Generation College Students ◽  
College Entrance ◽  
College Entrance Exam ◽  
Entrance Exam ◽  
First Generation College Student ◽  
First Generation College ◽  
College Educated

Background/Context There have been numerous studies conducted in the higher education literature to determine whether parental education is related to the academic plans and success of their children. Within this literature, particular emphasis is often given to children who are “first-generation college students.” However, researchers and policy makers have not reached agreement on what constitutes a first-generation college student and whether the definition affects the findings from their studies. Purpose/Objective/Research Question/Focus of Study In this study, we examined whether the way in which first-generation college status was defined affected its association with the likelihood of a student going to college. We used data from the Educational Longitudinal Study of 2002 (ELS:02), which is a nationally representative longitudinal sample of 10th-grade students in 2002 who were followed up in 2004, 2006, and 2012. Research Design We used binary and multinomial logistic regression analysis to examine how first-generation college status, as well as other personal, family, and school characteristics, were associated with whether a student took a college entrance exam, applied to college, and enrolled in college. For this study, we constructed eight different definitions of a first-generation college student. The definitions varied with regard to the level of education needed for a parent to be considered “college educated” and the number of parents meeting the education criteria. Conclusions/Recommendations Our results showed that the connection between first-generation college status and these three outcomes varied depending on how first-generation college status was defined. In general, we found larger deficits for first-generation college students when neither parent was college educated and when college educated was defined as earning a bachelor's degree or higher. First-generation college students faced the largest deficits for enrolling in college, and smaller (but often significant) deficits for taking a college entrance exam and applying to college. The results imply that researchers should be very specific about how they are defining first-generation college status and should determine whether their findings are sensitive to how the variable was defined.

College Dollars and Sense

2016 ◽  
pp. 179-198
Author(s):  
Jessica D. Johnson
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Financial Aid ◽  
Low Income ◽  
First Generation ◽  
First Generation College Students ◽  
Planning Tools ◽  
First Generation College ◽  
Tuition Costs

HBCU's were founded to address the needs of low income, first generation college students. However, rising tuition costs, tighter loan restrictions and poor institutional financial aid planning tools are hindering students from matriculating within the HBCU system. Radical solutions such as pre-financial aid debt tracking programs aimed at entering freshman, federal loan modification options, and a pro-active shift of equipping students are needed to adequately address these issues. This chapter will discuss the most prevalent financial aid issues facing HBCU students, as well as present viable debt reduction solutions.

scholarly journals Barriers and Concerns Regarding Board Certification in Clinical Neuropsychology: A Program Evaluation

2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (7) ◽  
pp. 1304-1304
Author(s):  
A Reyes ◽  
K Tureson ◽  
J Arias ◽  
J Peraza ◽  
D A Gonzalez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
African American ◽  
First Generation ◽  
Doctoral Program ◽  
Board Certification ◽  
Clinical Neuropsychology ◽  
First Generation College Student ◽  
Program Accreditation ◽  
First Generation College ◽  
Diverse Groups ◽  
Specific Barriers

Abstract Objective The Relevance 2050 Initiative’s Student Pipeline Subcommittee and the Board Certification Promotion Committee of the American Academy of Clinical Neuropsychology, in collaboration with the American Board of Clinical Neuropsychology, produced the first installment of a free webinar series to promote early education on board certification (BC) in clinical neuropsychology. A pre-webinar survey was given to inform future webinar topics and initiatives, including identification of specific barriers/concerns about BC. Method A total of 197 respondents completed the survey and self-identified as White (61%), Asian (16%), Hispanic (11%), African American (6%) and Multiracial (6%). Respondents’ demographics, type of doctoral program, program accreditation status, level of interest in pursuing BC, and specific barriers/concerns about BC were collected. Respondents self-identified with the following diverse groups: first-generation college student (19% White, 38% Asian, 18% Hispanic, 16% African American, 41% Multiracial), low SES (8% White, 6% Asian, 36% Hispanic, 33% African American, 33% Multiracial) and sexual gender minority (6% White, 6% Asian, 9% Hispanic, 43% Multiracial). Outcomes Qualitative data analysis of barriers/concerns identified the following themes: money, time, knowledge about BC, training flexibility, breadth of knowledge, training/mentor opportunities, international issues, and documentation. The top three barriers included training/mentor opportunities, training flexibility, and knowledge about BC. More than half of non-White trainees (60%; χ2 = 3.864, p = .049) endorsed training/mentor opportunities as a barrier relative to White trainees (41%), particularly among Hispanic trainees (82%) relative to other minority trainees. Discussion Results highlight the need to increase awareness and information about the BC. Also suggested is prioritization of resources for training/mentor opportunities, particularly for minority trainees.

Status Variation in Anticipatory Stressors and Their Associations with Depressive Symptoms

2020 ◽  
Vol 61 (2) ◽  
pp. 170-189 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew K. Grace
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Sexual Orientation ◽  
Gender Identity ◽  
First Generation ◽  
College Seniors ◽  
Social Stressors ◽  
First Generation College Student ◽  
Stress Theory ◽  
First Generation College ◽  
Frequent Exposure

Members of structurally disadvantaged social groups report more frequent exposure to a variety of negative life events and chronic strains, yet little research has examined whether similar patterns exist for anticipatory stressors, or challenging circumstances that loom as potential threats in the future. This study uses data collected as part of a national survey of college seniors (N = 995) to examine how anticipatory stress regarding economic and residential security, exposure to traumatic events, and experiences of discrimination vary by gender identity, race-ethnicity, sexual orientation, and first-generation college student status. Consistent with stress theory, anticipatory stressors are more commonly reported by members of disadvantaged groups. Notably, variation in anticipatory stressors explains a nontrivial proportion of differences in depressive symptoms found across gender identity and sexual orientation categories. Findings signal the necessity of incorporating anticipatory stressors into research in the stress paradigm to further disentangle the contributions of social stressors to health disparities.

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