Barriers to graduation: an examination of first-generation college students

Barriers to graduation: an examination of first-generation college students

Smith, Sarah M.

Date: 2012-08

Subject: First-generation college students ; Alaska ; Fairbanks ; Case studies

Type: Thesisma

Table of Contents: 1. Introduction -- 1.1. Rationale for study -- 2. Literature review -- 2.1. First generation students -- 2.2. Supporting university students -- 2.2.1. Student support services -- 2.2.2. Advising programs -- 2.3. Theoretical framework -- 2.3.1. Standpoint theory -- 2.3.2. Co-cultural communication theory -- 2.4. Research questions -- 3. Methodology -- 3.1. Theoretical framework -- 3.2. Theoretical perspectives -- 3.3. Research methodology -- 3.4. Methods -- 3.4.1. Objectivity and researcher as instrument -- 3.4.2. Validity -- 3.4.3. Reliability -- 3.4.4. Lived experience and generation of knowledge -- 3.5. Procedures -- 3.6. Participants -- 3.7. Analysis -- 4. Results -- 4.1. Nicole's conversational interview -- 4.2. Jamie's conversational interview --4.3. Carolyn's conversational interview -- 4.4. Robert's conversational interview -- 4.5. Brian's conversational interview -- 4.6. Elizabeth's conversational interview -- 4.7. Alex's conversational interview -- 4.8. Emily's conversational interview -- 4.9. Samantha's conversational interview -- 4.10. Mandi's conversational interview -- 5. Analysis & discussion -- 5.1. I should be at home tucking in my kids -- 5.1.1. Financial -- 5.1.2. Family -- 5.2. "First generation? We're all alone. Nobody likes us."-Alex -- 5.2.1. First generation -- 5.2.2. Non-traditional students -- 5.2.3. Low self-confidence -- 5.3. "There's this part that your family, they just never understood."-Mandi -- 5.3.1. Disconnect -- 5.3.2. Lack of Support -- 5.4. I' think I'll just change my major -- 5.4.1. Dominant is disconnected -- 5.4.2. Dominant don't care -- 5.5. Thanks for making an effort -- 5.5.1. Advisors -- 5.5.2. Teachers -- 5.5.3. I will help my community -- 5.6. "I probably would've given up because I was already in the mindset ... to fail."-Nicole -- 5.7. Summary and suggestions for further research -- Works cited.

Abstract:

The college experience of first- generation college students is unique in comparison to their peers. Many students do not have the support from their family and require help in the navigation of college life. Student Support Services, a federally funded TRIO program helps students successfully graduate with a bachelor's degree. Qualitative interviews were conducted on ten undergraduate students at UAF who were labeled as first-generation college students. All ten students were active participants in Student Support Services at the University of Alaska Fairbanks during the time of the interview. A thematic analysis produced six emergent themes. It was found that students utilized communicative strategies based on Orbe's co-cultural communication theory. First-generation college students, a non-dominant part of society, tried to negotiate through the University system, the dominant section of society. Through this negotiation, a co-cultural group was formed.