Supporting First-Generation Learners at SNHU

By Lauren Maynard and Paige Cooke

Over 40% of SNHU learners identify as ‘first-generation,’ meaning they are the first in their families to attend college. The University views this as an opportunity to understand the unique needs of this population and identify ways to support them to help them succeed. As a result, the University has developed first-generation specific training resources for employees, as well as programming and resources available for learners.

Many first-generation learners don’t know what to expect when coming to college. Joie Gibson ’15 ’18G – an SNHU alumna, staff member, and faculty member – recalls her experience as a student: “I couldn’t ask my parents to help me with my homework because my dad dropped out of school in seventh grade.” As Helena Iaquinta – user experience researcher, DEI, and one of the First-Gen Workgroup representatives – states, “There often feels like there is a rule book for college that not all students receive. So the more we can illuminate confusing acronyms, terms that don’t make sense, and be explicit about how to get help with assignments, that is really important to make sure first-generation students do not fall behind.”

In order to help our faculty and staff support this unique population of learners, SNHU has joined the First Scholars Network, an initiative of the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) and The Suder Foundation, demonstrating the university’s commitment to improving outcomes and success of first-generation college students. The network includes 350 colleges and universities and helps institutions support first-generation students to gain knowledge of resources and establish peer networks and communities of practice.

“As SNHU continues its commitment to access and social mobility, earning the First Scholars Network designation is a testament of our dedication to providing the support and resources that are so vital to the success of our first-generation learners,” said Dr. James Winfield, SNHU’s associate dean of first-year experience, general education, and retention strategies.

“Over the past four years, we’ve really prioritized empowering our first-gen students through a pilot sponsored by the SNHU Social Justice Fund and an ongoing resource group,” said Iaquinta. “This NASPA designation aims to spark a ripple effect across departments, uniting all staff in these efforts. We anticipate this intentional support for our first-gen population will help boost retention and success and we cannot wait to see those results.”

During the first year of membership in the First Scholars Network, member schools commit to building an understanding of first-generation student success by participating in a series of workshops, networking, and professional development opportunities, as well as participation in a peer community.

“Being named as a First Scholars Network member is an exciting opportunity for these institutions to join a dedicated community of professionals prepared to share evidence-based practices and resources, troubleshoot challenges, generate knowledge, and continue to advance the success of first-generation students across the country,” Dr. Kevin Kruger, president and CEO of NASPA, said in a release.

The designation as a First Scholars Network member is the first of four phases culminating in achieving the status of First Student Champion Campus.

During the week of Nov. 6, 2023, SNHU celebrated National First-Generation College Student Celebration Week. On campus, about 100 first-gen students attended events such as a first-gen celebration lunch, Big Money Bingo, and a Mario Kart tournament, all of which were developed to cultivate a sense of belonging and deep care for these students, and to raise awareness about supports available to them. Many continuing-gen students also joined, supporting their friends and learning more about the first-gen experience.

“I hope this continues growing,” said Dr. Lynn Zlotkowski, senior director of campus student retention and success. “It’s important for SNHU to host events for first-gen students because we have a high percentage of first-gen students on our campus, and they need to see how proud we are of them. We want them to make connections with other first-gen students and with the faculty and staff who are here to cheer them on and support them.”

As a resource for first-generation campus students, the First-Gen Lounge on campus, located in the Academic Center, room 107, was opened in the beginning of the fall 2023 semester. The lounge provides students with a place to relax, do homework, and develop friendships with others sharing the same lived experience. Abigail Mason, a campus sophomore, says that “the First-Generation Lounge makes me feel like I have a community with other first-generation students who understand what it’s like to be first in your family to come to college. Having students that also relate, and we can discuss and then help further generations down the road, is really special.”

In the online space, the First-Generation Learning Resource Group hosted a virtual panel featuring SNHU employees who were the first in their families to graduate from college: Academic Advisor Joie Gibson ’15 ’18G, Career Services Advisor David Munn, and Academic Advising Team Lead Hannah Hodes.

The panelists shared their journeys as first-generation college students – how they overcame challenges, what they learned along the way, and what they are doing now with their degrees. There were more than 130 students, faculty, and staff in attendance.

Panelist Hannah Hodes agreed and said that faculty and staff can play a critical role in supporting first-gen learners. “It’s essential for faculty and staff to continue (or start) getting involved and support first-generation students because they need the support. First-gen students are often left to navigate the maze of higher education on their own, and they simply don’t know what they don’t know. If we have a way of making these students more visible to student-facing departments, and we couple that with providing proper resources for supporting first-gen students, then we can provide real, proactive, in-time support without having to wait for the student to ask.”

Hodes said she encourages students to connect with their advisors and get involved. “Students can join the First-Generation Learning Resource Group on SNHUconnect, our virtual student union, and mention their first-gen status in their discussion posts each term. Branch out and make connections. We mean it when we say there is an army of people supporting them and cheering them on!