Student Retention: Breaking Down Barriers for First-Generation, Low-Income, and Underrepresented Minority College Students Through Improved Programs & Initiatives

Abstract

Abstract

Historically, first-generation, low-income, and underrepresented minority students face unique barriers that hinders their access and success in higher education. Since the COVID-19 pandemic shut down period, these students face additional obstacles to college and career access. Many of these students and their families were deeply impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, suffering from job loss, housing and income insecurity, mental health issues, and technological barriers to school access.

For students who are first in their family to attend college, they lack the support and knowledge that traditional students rely on to navigate campus, find resources, and to provide motivation as a mentor. Families of first-generation students typically do not understand the importance of a college education. They are unable to provide their students with guidance and encouragement and aren’t aware of resources that would be beneficial to their student’s success.

During the COVID-19 shut down period, schools were forced to close their doors and move classes to an online format. This made access to education more difficult, if not impossible, for non-traditional students. Many of these students and families were unable to afford a home computer and internet access. Before the pandemic, these students utilized libraries and computer labs to do homework and access resources. These options were no longer available to them.

First-generation, low-income, and underrepresented minority students face a multitude of barriers to postsecondary education. These groups of students are less likely to graduate with bachelor’s degree from a secondary educational institution due to stigmas and outdated policies and procedures that were initially designed to keep them out of a higher educational institution. Within the past decade, attitudes towards these non-traditional groups on campus have become more in their favor with institutions and governments creating new programs and initiatives designed to provide needed support and resources for nontraditional students to succeed in higher education. The newfound focus is to raise retention rates for first-generation, low-income, and underrepresented minority students and increase their graduation rates.

Year Manuscript Completed

Fall 2024

Senior Project Advisor

Mrs. Heather Roy

Degree Awarded

Bachelor of Integrated Studies Degree

Field of Study

Communications

Document Type

Thesis - Murray State Access only

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