Talking Stick - July/August 2008 - 16

Res Life Helping to Bridge the Gap by Ryan Bronkema Programming aids transition for first-generation students second year. Fortunately there are effective programs across the country to help these students thrive on campus. In particular there are programs to help them make the transition into student housing and the overall experience of living on campus. All of these programs can help provide needed mentors and develop critical academic and social skills that may allow more first-generation students to walk at graduation with their peers. Each year our campuses welcome thousands of new students, each with unique goals, dreams, and challenges. For housing professionals, the job at hand is to reach out and help them achieve these goals, reach for their dreams, and overcome whatever challenges they face as students. First-generation students – those who are the first in their families to attend a college or university – face a unique set of challenges. According to a report published by the Higher Education Research Institute at the University of California in Los Angeles, “The American Freshman: National Norms for Fall 2005,” about “one in six (15.9 percent) students falls under the definition of first-generation college student, including 16.9 percent of all female students and 14.7 percent of all male students.” The report also states that almost 30 percent of these students come from homes with annual family incomes below $25,000, compared to 9.2 percent of other students. First-generation students also have fewer academic mentors in their families or networks that can help them to conceptualize what college is like, which can make it more difficult to build necessary academic and social skills. These challenges make it difficult enough for them to make the transition to college but even more difficult to stay engaged past their first or First-Generation Government Programs In 1964 the Educational Opportunity Act was passed as a proactive approach to assisting disadvantaged and underrepresented students in getting connected to higher educational opportunities. As a direct result, the Talent Search, Upward Bound, and Student Support Services programs were developed for campuses across the country. These three federally funded programs, referred to as the TRIO programs, have grown to provide campus services for underrepresented and financially disadvantaged first-generation college students as well as students with disabilities. The TRIO programs start preparing prospective students for college once they complete the sixth grade. Talent Search provides information to students about what higher education options are available to About one in six (15.9 percent) students falls under the definition of first-generation college student, including 16.9 percent of all female students and 14.7 percent of all male students. 1 Talking Stick
Talking Stick - July/August 2008

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Talking Stick - July/August 2008
