Information, Access, Mentorship: Three Key Components that Lead to Success for First-Generation College Students

By Liz Hensler (MPA-PNP), Manager of Corporate and Community Engagement, iMentor

Growing up as a public high school student in semi-rural Pennsylvania, I saw firsthand the difference that information and support can make in college enrollment and graduation. My graduating class of 720 had three guidance counselors who students could meet with for about 40 minutes per year. That amount of annual support was nowhere near the kind of hands-on guidance I needed to make decisions that would inform the rest of my life. Nationally, the ratio of guidance counselors to students is 1 to 482, meaning that most US high school students have limited access to guidance services. These challenges are more complicated for first-generation students who may not have the same access to key information needed to navigate the application process, let alone the information needed for success on a college campus.

For the past six years, I’ve had the privilege to work in college access spaces with New York City high school students. These students are navigating their own trajectories and seeking answers to the complicated questions around college access and success. On April 16 morning, NYU Wagner partnered with KIPP to host a discussion on The College Completion Crisis, addressing the concerns of first-generation college students and students of color in higher education spaces. Richard Buery, Chief of Policy & Public Affairs at KIPP and Distinguished Visiting Urbanist at NYU Wagner, introduced a panel of experts who addressed the real challenges that young people in New York City face. Expertly led by Tashia Singleton (MPA candidate), the panel highlighted the best way to support first-generation college students through their application process and beyond.

The first and arguably most important way to support first-generation college students is to increase access to information for students. Knowledge about the nuances of how to apply, where to find scholarships and financial aid materials, when paperwork is due, and how to find the appropriate resources are key for students’ path to entry. Increased information is especially important for those who have not received that information at home from a young age.

Second, the panel agreed that universities need to create better access for students, particularly for young people of color at predominantly white institutions. Removing barriers for students through strategic partnerships like Dr. Kent C. Trachte’s example of Lycoming College’s relationship with KIPP or POSSE, opens doors for young people who have historically been excluded from the institution.

Another takeaway from the panel was that consistent mentorship over the course of a student’s college career provides crucial supports and increases rates of retention. Having college advisors or faculty mentors who actively seek out students and check in on both their academics and their emotional wellbeing boosts retention for first-generation college students.

Changing policies that create additional barriers for first-generation college students and implementing programs that encourage strategic partnerships and information exchange are all important ways to support these students on their path to success.