First-generation students' academic engagement and retention |
| |
| Authors: | Krista M Soria Michael J Stebleton |
| |
| Institution: | 1. Office of Institutional Research , University of Minnesota-Twin Cities , 272-6 McNamara Alumni Center, 200 Oak St. SE, Minneapolis , MN , 55455 , USA ksoria@umn.edu;3. Department of Postsecondary Teaching and Learning, College of Education and Human Development , University of Minnesota-Twin Cities , 253 Burton Hall, 178 Pillsbury Ave., Minneapolis , MN , 55455 , USA |
| |
| Abstract: | This study investigates differences in academic engagement and retention between first-generation and non-first-generation undergraduate students. Utilizing the Student Experience in the Research University survey of 1864 first-year students at a large, public research university located in the United States, this study finds that first-generation students have lower academic engagement (as measured by the frequency with which students interacted with faculty, contributed to class discussions, brought up ideas from different courses during class discussions, and asked insightful questions in class) and lower retention as compared to non-first-generation students. Recommendations that higher education faculty can follow to promote the academic engagement and retention of first-generation students are addressed. |
| |
| Keywords: | first-generation students academic engagement retention public universities |
|
|
