1. From Surviving to Thriving: First-Generation College Students and Academic Citizenship
Dr. La’Tonya Rease Miles
Director, Academic Resource Center
Loyola Marymount University

2. Overview of Presentation
I. First-generation awareness II. Key terms for working with first-generation college students III. Strengths development IV. Academic citizenship

3. LMU First To Go Program

4. “First-Generation College Student”
Students whose parents have not completed four- year degrees from institutions in the United States.
(not the same as the institution’s definition)

5. “First-Generation” is a social identity
A person’s sense of who they are based on their group membership(s)
Grounded in institutional literacy

6. “The Struggle Narrative”

7. First-Generation Awareness
When an individual comes to understand the significance of being a first-generation college student, which may lead to:
seeking targeted resources at an institution;
networking with other first-generation college students;
understanding characteristics of the first-generation college experience.

8. Key Terms
for Higher Ed professionals who identify as and/or work with first-generation college students

9. “Despite all we know about engaging and involving students in learning, many first-generation students do not feel that they have the permission to engage in their learning authentically as their full selves. This divide between home and school worlds coupled with a sense of marginalization in the curriculum perpetuates the isolation that first-generation, low-income students, many of whom are also students of color and immigrants, feel on campus.” (Jehangir 2009)
ACADEMIC CITIZENSHIP

11. long and short-term goals
Models of Support
High-impact educational practices can inform
long and short-term goals
for identifying and responding to the needs
of first-gen college students.

12. Strengths-Development Model:
reframing the conversation on first-gen students
from deficit to strengths-development model

13. “Academic Citizenship”
Membership within an institution of higher learning
Active participation in university culture
Accordance of educational rights and privileges
Responsibility to the university community
ENGAGEMENT; other definitions of academic citizenship?

14. Learning Communities/Targeted Orientation Sessions
2/16/2014
Learning Communities/Targeted Orientation Sessions
First To Go Scholars Program
Targeted orientation programs
1-Unit
Core 19
FROSH

15. Local and Global Citizenship
Global Community
Local Community
LMU
* Service Organizations
* Alternative Break
* Study Abroad
Center for Service & Action
Connecting students with marginalized communities
Intellectual inquiry, moral reflection, social action
Focus on service opportunities for first-year students
1-Unit
Course
Alternative Break
Central Valley, California (May 2014)
Si Se Puede, Justice for Workers!
Focus on immigration rights and reform
Courses in Core
19 Entering Freshmen
First gen students often have an awareness of their place in history
First To Go Abroad
Santiago, Dominican Republic (May 2016)
10-day academic immersion program
Focus on cultural identity

16. Undergraduate Research
1-Unit
Course
Courses in Core
19 Entering Freshmen

17. Student Journals * Writing Workshops * Artist Exhibitions
Creative Expression
1-Unit
Course
Courses in Core
19 Entering Freshmen
Student Journals * Writing Workshops * Artist Exhibitions

20. Thank You!
For more information on the First To Go Program at Loyola Marymount University:
Tel: (310)