News & Blogs

Find the latest from the Center, learn new and innovative approaches from colleagues, and engage with current mainstream media conversations on first-generation student success. In addition to the filters below, please utilize the “search” bar in the top, right corner to search by keyword, author name, or publication title.

Going Remote Makes it Harder to Reach First-gen Students

Getting to college was hard enough–then the pandemic upended their support system.

The Verge / August 19, 2020

Making the Unwritten Rules of College Legible

Going from high school to college is as radical a change as going from Kansas City to Kathmandu.

Medium / August 14, 2020

As Syllabus Writing-Time Approaches...

Whatever the rule is, write it down.

Inside Higher Ed / August 12, 2020

Five tips for boosting diversity on campus

Universities and those who work there must reimagine spaces, behaviour and processes to promote a sense of belonging for everyone.

Nature / August 11, 2020

The biggest danger to U.S. higher ed? Losing 20 years’ worth of gains

This pandemic is a perfect storm that could wash away hard-won progress for first-gen and minority students.

The Hechinger Report / August 11, 2020

TBY: The First Generations: Reflections on attending college

What knowledge could the first-generation students of today gain from three different generations of first-generation graduates?

Southeast Missourian / August 07, 2020

High-touch Student Engagement in Remote Learning Environments

At the University of Southern California, a new normal demands a new, more robust approach to student success.

Trista Beard, Ed.D. / August 06, 2020

A Musical Tribute to First-gen Student Success

Moeshia Scott captures the perspective of a first-gen student in this original song, which is based on recent student success scholarship.

Moeshia Scott, M.Ed. / August 05, 2020

The Other Day, I Talked to My Parents on the Phone.

For first-gen student Thienthanh Trinh, a language barrier makes communicating about college with their parents even more challenging.

The Xylom / August 05, 2020

Teamwork that opens doors to research, opportunities

University's Living Lab pilot program aims to light a path for underrepresented students as undergraduates and grad students work together on research

Nevada Today / August 05, 2020

Center Newsletter 8.4.20

In this edition: Funding #CelebrateFirstGen Events; Center Online Learning; Newsletter Database; Call for Chapters

FirstGen Forward / August 04, 2020

Focus on the Most Vulnerable

The most tumultuous spring in generations has exacerbated the challenges these already vulnerable groups face in succeeding in higher education.

Inside Higher Ed / August 04, 2020

Tips for My Fellow First-Generation College Students

First-gen student Hallie Clark offers advice for those who are the first in their families to pursue a college degree.

National NSSLHA Blog / August 04, 2020

What Should College-Admissions Reform Look Like?

Thought leaders gathered in Washington, D.C., to discuss the system that everyone thinks is broken but no one is quite sure how to fix.

The Chronicle of Higher Education / August 04, 2020

Building Social Capital For Low-Income, First Gen College Graduates

Braven is working to ensure that these hard-working, resilient, and diverse graduates can navigate one the toughest job markets in a generation.

Forbes / August 03, 2020

Navigating graduate school as a first-generation student

Enrica Bridgewater, University of Michigan Ph.D. student, offers key advice to those applying to graduate programs.

realPhDeal / August 01, 2020

Elon University Selected for First Cohort of First Scholars Network Institutions

Elon is among 31 schools asked to participate after demonstrating a commitment to advancing the outcomes of first-generation students.

Today at Elon / July 31, 2020

Reimagining Conference Design

What design features can we take from the virtual conference environment that can lead to more inclusive practices for individuals with disabilities?

Katherine Lawlor, M.Ed. / July 28, 2020