Six ways to engage early college students on campus

Involvement in college activities, including student organizations, on-campus work and faculty-led research, are considered high-impact practices, associated with higher persistence and graduation rates and better overall outcomes among college students.

The latest data from Within Higher Ed and Generation Lab suggests that first-generation students are being left behind in the campus experience, highlighting equity gaps in who benefits from campus co-curriculars.

A May 2024 Student Voice survey found nearly half (47 percent) of first-generation students have never participated in any activities, including student clubs and organizations, research opportunities, paid work or volunteer roles on campus, up from 20 percent. than students of the progressive generation (26 percent).

About 17 percent of freshmen say they consider participating in extracurricular activities and events to be somewhat or not at all important to their overall well-being during college and after graduation.

Colleges and universities can use strategies and programs to improve participation in the practices that have the greatest impact on first-generation students.

1. Find affordable housing. When asked what would encourage students to participate in campus events, first-generation students indicated that living close to or on campus would improve their attendance (29 percent). Previous research shows that students who live in residence halls are more engaged, report greater feelings of belonging and get higher grades, compared to their peers, so providing access to housing can improve the success of first-generation students.
2. Create professional connections. Thirty-two percent of first-generation students said they would participate in campus activities if they saw a greater connection to their careers. However, one-third (35 percent) of first-generation students have no experience working with their career centers. Colleges and universities can create a more intentional connection between job skills developed outside the classroom and how they prepare students for their post-graduation lives. Coastal Carolina University has a program, Pathway 1954, that provides students with a road map to develop co-curricular content and improve their interpersonal skills.

3. Create flexible after-school schedules. The top measure that Student Voice respondents indicated could improve their interactions on campus is greater flexibility in the time and place of events and activities. First-generation students often work or are responsible for supporting their families, which can strain their time and resources. At Pepperdine University, staff help break down barriers to participation for first-generation students by encouraging them to meet with peer counselors by booking an appointment online or through office hours. This helps build community and reduces barriers to engagement.
4. Allocate money for student work. One in five (21 percent) first-generation students indicated that off-campus work interfered with their participation on campus, while another 5 percent said on-campus work was a problem. In addition, 20 percent of respondents indicated that additional opportunities for paid work at the institution would increase their involvement at their institution. Offering paid study opportunities, such as research or study abroad, can address students’ financial concerns and deepen students’ experience while enrolled.

5. Highlight student opportunities. Similar to their progressive peers, first-generation students often don’t realize the breadth of spaces they can contribute to on campus. Peer mentoring can be one way to familiarize students with campus navigation and uncover the hidden college curriculum. Many institutions have a first-generation orientation, but ongoing discussions can ensure that students are not left behind.
6. Build community across campus. Sometimes, first-generation students can feel isolated or impostor syndrome as they navigate higher education. One-third of first-generation Student Voice respondents said they would be more involved if they felt like they belonged. College leaders or first-generation medical graduates themselves can serve as role models to help students as they go through college. Seton Hall University hosts First Generation Fridays throughout the academic year, including in-person events, community meetings and social media posts to recognize first-generation students, faculty and staff. Penn State has launched a first-year seminar focused on first-generation students in the College of Agricultural Sciences, which helps connect students with their peers and ease the transition to higher education.

How does your college or university promote the success of first-generation students? Tell us more here.