BIO

My name is Ariana Looz, a first-generation college student currently finalizing a B.S. in Psychology at Florida State University with a minor in Child Development. My research interests include childhood learning and development in underserved, socially disadvantaged communities as well as diverse family environments in socio-cultural contexts.

Addressing the Needs of First-Generation College Students

Abstract

Limited research has been done to evaluate the first-generation college student population in support of building a more inclusive society for these students. There are also limited disclosures from these students on overcoming adversity. For this purpose, first-generation students as part of the CARE (Center for Academic Retention and Enhancement) Program at Florida State University will be surveyed to pinpoint their perceived noticeable gaps in education and these results will be compared. The topics that will be evaluated include college admissions, racial disparity, financial hardship, and family support. This survey will also delve into the quality of learning environments and the interactions first-generation college students have with faculty and traditional students. The culture shock associated with being the first in a family to attend college can be a major contributing factor to academic success and social development. The findings and purpose of this project imply a need for additional resources and research on this population.

Keywords: first-generation, education, development