Krystal Ferguson, Hobsons K-12 Consultant, presents on the unique challenges that first-generation and minority students face in enrolling and persisting in college. Krystal also discusses strategies for school systems to best support these students to reach their post-secondary goals.

1. Against All Odds: Increasing College
Access & Retention for First
Generation Students
Krystal Ferguson
K-12 Senior Consultant

2. Krystal Ferguson is a K-12 Senior
Consultant at Hobsons. Krystal
received her Bachelors from James
Madison University. She is currently
pursing her master’s degree in
Minority and Urban Education at the
University of Maryland-College
Park. Since joining the Naviance
Professional Services team in
October 2010, Krystal has assisted
individual schools and school
districts effectively implement
Naviance at their schools to
increase college and career
readiness.

3. Problem? What Problem?

4. 4
Black, Latino and American Indian
Freshmen Complete College at Lower
Rates Than Other Students
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
4 Years 5 Years 6 Years
GraduationRates(%)
Four-, Five-, and Six-Year Degree Attainment Rates by Race/Ethnicity
Black
American
Indian
Asian
Latino
White
Source: DeAngelo, L., Franke, R., Hurtado,S., Pryor, J.H., & Tran,S. (2011). Completing college: Assessing
graduation rates at four year institutions. Los Angeles: Higher Education Research Institute, UCLA.

5. Only 30% of the adult
population in the US have a
college degree
Source: Educational Attainment. (n.d.).
in the United States: 2012. Retrieved
February 13, 2014, from
http://www.census.gov/hhes/socdemo/
education/data/cps/2012/tables.html

6. 6
Degree Attainment by Race/Ethnicity
19%
12%
37%
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
40%
Black Hispanic White
Percent between the ages of 25 and 29 with a college degree
Source: DeAngelo, L., Franke, R., Hurtado,S., Pryor, J.H., & Tran,S. (2011). Completing college: Assessing
graduation rates at four year institutions. Los Angeles: Higher Education Research Institute, UCLA.

7. Things aren’t going well…

8. 8
Who are our students?
50% enrolled are first-
generation students
Lynch, M. (2013). It's Tough to Trailblaze: Challenges of First-Generation College Students. Diverse in Higher
Education. Retrieved November 26, 2013, from http://diverseeducation.com/article/50898/
Minority students make up
the largest demographics
of first-generation students
27% of first-generation
students graduate
within 4 years

9. Graduated within: 4 Years 5 Years 6 Years
First-Generation Students 27% 45% 50%
Students Whose Parents
Attended College
42% 60% 64%
9
The 2011 UCLA Study Found That:
First Generation College Students Graduation Rates. (n.d.). Concordia University's Online
Education Degrees. Retrieved February 12, 2014, from http://education.cu-
portland.edu/blog/reference-material/first-generation-college-students-graduation-rates/

10. So, what should we know?
“As educators, we do these students no great favor
should they become—out of our own awareness—
confused, frightened, and alienated, only to drift away
and drop out. If we…mean for them to stay and not
become attrition statistics, we need a keener
understanding of the sensibilities and concerns they
bring with them and of the difficulties they encounter
along the way” (London, 1989, p.118)

11. Be from low-income families
Be members of racial or ethnic minority
groups particularly Hispanic or African
American
Have lower college entrance examinations
Lack support from those at home including
family and friends
11
First Generation (FG) Students Tend To:
Shelton, C. (2011). Helping first-generation college students succeed. Journal of
Psychological Issues in Organizational Culture, 1(4), 63-75.

12. Inadequate of Preparation
- Theoretical (formal/book) knowledge
- Heuristic (campus specific) knowledge
Cultural Adaption
Financial Awareness
12
Challenges Impacting FG Students

13. Lack of Preparation
Not taking high school courses that are rigorous
enough
Lack important study and time management
skills
Experience more difficulty navigating the
administrative aspects of academic life (i.e.
registering for classes, meeting with advisors,
choosing a major)
Engle, J. (2007). Postsecondary Access and Success for First-Generation College Students. American Academic, 25-48.
13
Challenges Impacting FG Students

14. Cultural Adaption
Cultural Shock/Stress
Feelings of isolation and alienation
Less likely to socialize with faculty or students
outside of class
More likely to feel overwhelmed or depressed
Engle, J. (2007). Postsecondary Access and Success for First-Generation College Students. American Academic, 25-48.14
Challenges Impacting FG Students

15. Financial Awareness
Ability to pay for college greatly affects whether and
how students interact with their college environment
Lack of parental support
Stress of attempting to balance a job and
academics
Engle, J. (2007). Postsecondary Access and Success for First-Generation College Students. American Academic, 25-48.
15
Challenges Impacting FG Students

16. So, what can we do?

17. Identify First Generation Students
Improve Pre-College Preparation
Increase Student Engagement
Engle, J. (2007). Postsecondary Access and Success for First-Generation College Students. American Academic, 25-48.17
Recommendations

18. Survey students to learn about their backgrounds and
assess their postsecondary goals
Help to form early aspirations and plans for college
Early outreach to students and parents with information
about the importance of postsecondary education
Engle, J. (2007). Postsecondary Access and Success for First-Generation College Students. American Academic, 25-48.
18
Identify First Generation Students

19. Provide information about the gateway courses to
college
Broaden exposure to and engagement with the college
environment (i.e. web tours, promoting college visits)
Test Prep
Volunteer services & enrichment programs
Mentoring
19
Improve Pre-College Preparation

20. Connect learning and life
Get creative to make the experience:
- Relevant
- Fun
- Challenging
Promote critical thinking and team work
Create incentives for students
Engle, J. (2007). Postsecondary Access and Success for First-Generation College Students. American Academic, 25-48.20
Increase Student Engagement