The journey towards higher education is commonly perceived as a transformative experience, unlocking opportunities. For first-generation college students, this venture is not only a personal accomplishment but a groundbreaking milestone, breaking down barriers and paving a path for the generations that follow. Butler CC has 834 first-generation college students attending college for the spring semester.
Nationally, extensive research surrounds first-generation college students, seeking ways to empower them academically and socially. At Butler, the taskforce is dedicated to increasing awareness, access and success for first-generation learners. Their mission includes understanding the current status of first-generation students at the college, examining graduation rates and identifying areas that need attention.
Jenna L. Gannon is a research analyst and part of the first-generation task force at Butler CC. Their goal as a task force is to better understand those who are first-generation students and how they are doing at Butler CC right now, as well as tackle and understand challenges these students are facing.
“In the work I’ve done I have found that our first-generation students are less likely to persist (from fall to spring), be retained (from fall to fall), and graduate from BCC,” Gannon said. “Everyone’s story is different, but a lot of those hurdles are more difficult for first-generation students because of either financial resources or the way that college was talked about at home. Some students’ parents/guardians may not see the value of college, or if they do value it, they may not know all the weird lingo colleges use. So, it’s just harder to help their students navigate college.”
While there is no solution that works for all, there are promising programs and interventions. Helping students identify as first-generation and encouraging participation in dedicated events. TRIO programs, including Student Support Services, offer specialized tutoring, counseling, and mentoring opportunities, proven to positively impact the success, persistence, retention and graduation of first-generation college students.
“There is no one-size-fits-all approach but there are some great programs and interventions that are incredibly helpful,” Gannon said. “Our first hurdle is awareness. There are a lot of different definitions of what it means to be a first-generation college student and it gets incredibly confusing.”
Francisco J. Puente-Takajasi is a first-generation college student currently attending Butler CC. Both his parents are immigrants from Mexico, neither having had the opportunity to pursue a college education. Despite this, he took the leap, motivated by the desire to create a different narrative for their family.
“Being a first generation college student shaped my experience in a good way,” Puente-Takajasi said.
“Academically I almost always feel motivated to do good, I want to be able to make my parents proud. Socially, I feel like there are a lot of first generation students that I can relate to and that helps in not feeling so lonely when I’m feeling lost on this path or just not feeling well in general.”
High school teachers were a great help during the college application process, but dealing with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) was tough. As many of those who filled out FAFSA know, it can be challenging. Like many other students, Puente-Takajasi struggled to understand the complicated financial aid application, as it was intimidating to fill out alone for the first time, and he couldn’t ask his parents for help because they didn’t know how to fill it out either.
Amidst the uncertainties, a homeroom teacher was guiding light to Puente-Takahashi. Encouraging him to pursue higher education rather than immediately entering the workforce, this mentor played a pivotal role in this process. His unwavering support and assistance helped lift some of the burdens associated with being a first-generation student.
“One main piece of advice that I would give to first generation students is that it’s okay to be down sometimes, but it’s not okay to stay down,” Puente-Takajasi said. “It’s easy for things to get overwhelming, like the workload or trying to manage a social life. But you should always push through.”