By Ana Diaz —
On Wednesday, Faculty Unhinged hosted another lunchtime discussion, with the customary complementary pizza. This week, their topic was first generation college students. Why are we still talking about them in 2024? What support do they need and what barriers do they still face to receiving an education? And, how can we make sure that the students who need support have access to and are aware of the resources available to them?
Ashley Hopkins, the project director of Miami University’s Upward Bound project, led the discussion of the afternoon. In addition to leading the Upward Bound project, which provides college prep services to low-income and first-generation students, Hopkins has personal experience growing up in rural southeastern Ohio. She grew up in a school district that often didn’t have the resources that she needed to prepare for college. Despite the barriers she faced, she became a first-generation college student, and now holds multiple degrees. She now works to provide the support she didn’t have to disadvantaged and first-generation students.
A first-generation college student can be defined as any student whose parents did not receive a bachelor’s degree. This also includes students whose parents have degrees, but not from institutions within the United States. While Hopkins made sure to clarify that there is no “monolithic first-generation experience,” many of these students have faced financial, language,
and cultural barriers to receiving an education. First-generation students are also more likely to have dependents or work while in school, meaning they often have many different demands of life competing for their attention at the same time. These can all make it difficult for first-generation students to complete their education.
However, despite the many barriers these students face, Hopkins wants everyone to know that they also have a great deal to offer. They deserve to be celebrated, she said, for their contributions to diversity, and their determination to overcome challenges. Hopkins thinks Upward Bound and other federal TRIO programs are important because they provide opportunities for disabled, poor, or first-generation students that they may not have had otherwise. Hopkins mentioned that first-generation students tend to be less engaged in campus resources and extracurricular activities. She wants universities to be equipped to close the disparity and get these students connected with the resources and support they need.
And while Upward Bound may focus on first-generation students, the financial and academic support services can help everyone, not just first-generation students. Making sure these resources are well-rounded and well-positioned to make it to the people who need it most will only help everyone get fair and equitable access to education, which is still a major factor in achieving independence and stability. Ashley Hopkins believes everyone deserves that opportunity, and that’s what Upward Bound is all about. Even though it may seem like the era of “first generation” college students is past, that couldn’t be farther from the truth; students like that still need help, every day, and the programs are just as relevant as ever.
The next installment of Faculty Unhinged is being held Wednesday, March 6 on “Making History More Inclusive Through Debates about Dates.” You can join for free lunch and interesting discussion at Hamilton’s campus in Rentschler Hall, room 114, from 11:30 AM–12:30 PM.