A Profile on First-Generation College Students at the University of Kentucky: A Focus on Retention Efforts

This paper provides an overview of the first-generation college student (FGCS) profile at the University of Kentucky. This paper then compares the FGCS population at the University of Kentucky to the general student population at the university, specifically focusing on levels of degree attainment. In addition, the national literature on FGCS is discussed. Based upon national literature and institutional data, the authors provide practical suggestions on how to best serve FGCS at the University of Kentucky

Supporting First Generation College Students

Seeking to help support first generation college students (FGCS), the University of Kentucky (UK) has developed new programming and initiatives in recent years aimed at enhancing institutional support for this student group. Among these efforts was the launch in 2009 of the First Scholars program at UK, a project funded by and affiliated with the Suder Foundation, which currently funds five First Scholars programs at universities around the country. This practitioner’s brief first provides an overview of relevant literature related to serving FGCS and then discusses programmatic efforts undertaken at UK designed to improve the retention and graduation rates of FGCS

First-Generation College Students at the University of Kentucky

First-generation college students (FGCS) have been shown to graduate at lower rates than their continuing-generation counterparts even after controlling for other variables. We will attempt to examine the characteristics of FGCS and determine initiatives the University of Kentucky might enact in order to increase the graduation rates for this segment of the student population. In doing so we will discuss “promising practices” in student retention, examine programs designated by UK’s Top-20 plan as benchmark institutions, and submit a series of recommendations to better serve FGCS at the University of Kentucky