“When I think of a first-generation student, I think of a person who is ready to achieve dreams that past generations haven’t.” —Rebekah Buena, CSU student
I’ve written in this space before about first-generation students – those who are the first in their families to earn a college degree. But nothing I’ve said captures the importance of the first-generation journey better than the simple observation I’ve shared above from one of our first-year students at CSU in Fort Collins.
First-generation students are the foundation of the Morrill Act of 1862 and what it means to be a land-grant university. With that act, it was our country’s conscious decision to open up college education to the children of the working classes. These students represent a vast reservoir of talent, and we provide the opportunity to unlock that potential. All of us benefit in the process. That’s the promise and the potential of a land-grant university.
Rebekah Buena is one of those students, and we are proud to share her story in the debut video of a new documentary film series called First Degree, which illuminates the personal and academic journeys of first-generation students at CSU System campuses. The series is produced by the CSU System communications team – and videographer Brian Buss followed the students in the series over many months to capture the challenges, doubts, and delight of their experience.
At CSU in Fort Collins, about 25% of the student population is first-generation. At CSU Pueblo, nearly half the students are first-gen. CSU Global, our online university, has a strong first-generation focus that includes working adults and active-duty military personnel. All are working to attain college degrees that could open doors to expanded career opportunities, financial security, and quality of life for them and, by extension, their families – because higher education remains the surest path to entering the middle class.
Yet, the challenges these students face are real. First-generation students attend college at lower rates, and when they do attend, they graduate far less often – with a failure rate more than double that of a student whose parents graduated college. When economic status is layered into the first-generation equation, we see that these students borrow more and are forced to default on their loans more often than non-first-generation students. Yet when first-gen students make it to graduation, their job placement and continuing education plans match those of the general student population.
With this documentary series, we’re emphasizing that these challenges have a human face. And in sharing these students’ stories, we’ve spotlighted some important truths:
- Like all students, first-gen students flourish when their dreams connect with educational opportunities.
- Financial support is critical. CSU was the first school in the country to offer scholarships specifically for first-generation students, and we’ve since added layers of additional financial support to encourage low-income students to pursue their college dreams. But there is still tremendous financial need.
- Coaching is key: Knowledge of the educational system typically is not steeped into these students’ awareness as it can be for students with a family history of higher education. So, first-gen students need extra help understanding the admissions and scholarship application processes.
- First-gen students – many of whom are students of color, rural students, and low-income – typically come from under-resourced and underrepresented communities and often face related challenges.
- University faculty and staff are key contributors to success, as are academic and social support programs tailored for first-gen students.
- Students are most successful when they get involved on campus – as researchers, as participants in clubs and activities, as athletes, in campus jobs, as members of special academic programs, and more.
- First-gen students often serve as role models for their families and communities as they gain education and the benefits that arise from it. In fact, they often pursue higher education to help and support their families.
None of this is new. In fact, the three students in CSU’s first graduating class were first-gen students. That was 1884.
But today, first-generation students are the most rapidly growing student demographic. They are the future of higher education. And they deserve access to whatever campus best suits their dreams – including the world’s finest research universities. If Lincoln could see these students, the dependents of the Morrill Act, I think he’d be proud. And I think he’d tell us we have more work to do.
Again, Rebekah’s story makes that case better than I can. So please, take the time to watch.
– tony
Tony Frank, Chancellor
CSU System
This message was included in Chancellor Frank’s October newsletter. Subscribe to the Chancellor’s monthly letter.