Overcoming the Narrative of Indifference: A Discussion on How First-Generation College Students Are Unique

ABSTRACT

First-generation college students are unique. However, there are some professionals in academia who may question this fact. This is concerning and akin to dismissing the demographic differences that are unique to many of our students, thereby contributing to the extent to which our students may feel marginalized and/or underserved. Given that first-generation college students are enrolling in higher education institutions at unprecedented rates, and recent estimates have shown that approximately one third of all incoming college students are first-generation college students, it is vital that the question of “are first-generation college students really unique?” be clearly and concisely answered.

KEYWORDS:

• First-generation college student
• cultural capital
• social capital
• academic performance
• undergraduate education

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).