Every college graduate's journey tells a story. For first-generation students, that story often includes obligations to family, working multiple jobs, and charting an unfamiliar path through higher education. First-generation college students are more likely to come from low-income or minority backgrounds and to be parents, veterans, or first-generation Americans. Presently, 56% of undergraduate students in the United States are the first in their families to attend college.
Two professors from the University of New Mexico's College of Population Health, Claudia Pratesi, PhD and Tammy Thomas, PhD, contribute to how universities support these students. As part of their research through a Student Experience Project fellowship, both professors focus on understanding first-generation student experiences.
The professors conducted five focus groups consisting of students who volunteered from the College of Population Health, to collect their perspectives on first-generation experiences at UNM. Three groups consisted of undergraduate students, while two included graduate students. These sessions allowed students to share their thoughts on academic life, social support, and institutional resources. The focus group responses revealed how first-generation students navigate institutional challenges and brought forward concerns unique to their college experience.
Pratesi and Thomas emphasize the importance of recognizing and building upon these students' inherent strengths in their academic pursuits. During their focus groups, they explored students' sense of belonging in the classroom and at the university, assessing how being a first-generation student influences mental health, academic experiences, and persistence in education.
Their research uncovered personal insights about student experiences. Many first-generation students have family caregiver roles, calling for a strategic balance between academic goals and family responsibilities. This dual role impacts both financial resources and time management. Students often find themselves navigating these responsibilities without the guidance of family members who understand the university system from prior experience, leading to challenges with social support and transition to university life.
A key finding is that students need substantial support before entering university life. Many first-generation students struggle to understand complex systems like financial aid, credit requirements, and the role of academic advisors. Graduate students shared that as undergraduates, they lacked clear information about academic expectations, which affected their ability to fully engage with their studies from the start.
For Thomas, this work carries personal significance. "This is a meaningful subject to me because I am a first-generation college student," she shares, bringing lived experience to their research.
Pratesi and Thomas are developing comprehensive policy and procedure recommendations for the College regarding first-generation students. Their recommendations include establishing peer mentoring programs, organizing first-generation gatherings, and creating better systems to connect students with funding and scholarship opportunities. These recommendations were developed in conjunction with student feedback. This important resource will be shared across the UNM network and used in collaboration with the first-generation resource center. Their work highlights the need for enrichment activities and support systems that acknowledge students' diverse needs and experiences.
Research findings will be presented to Pamela Cheek, PhD, Associate Provost for Student Success, for consideration within the Office of the Provost. The professors plan to share their results at academic conferences and pursue publication in academic journals. Their objective is clear: understand students' experiences, needs, strengths, and recommendations to improve University systems and supports.
Both educators remain dedicated to understanding and improving the first-generation student experience. Their work at the College of Population Health aims to develop new educational approaches that ensure student success, link students to campus and community resources, and create policies that help students thrive. Through their research at UNM, Pratesi and Thomas are helping create a more inclusive and supportive academic environment that acknowledges and builds upon the diverse experiences of first-generation students.