First To Go: Supporting First-Generation Students in a Jesuit Catholic Secondary School Through University Partnerships

• In Event: Diversity in Catholic Education

Abstract

Applying to college can be a complex and difficult process, even for students whose parents have a college degree. For first-generation students, navigating the educational “pipeline” may be twice as challenging because of their limited “college knowledge” (Vargas, 2004). Much of the literature on first-generation students and support systems is found in the transition from high schools to higher education. This poster session shares the preliminary results (qualitative) of a high school program established to support first-generation students from 9th grade into higher education through university partnerships. This session provides participants with the knowledge to support first-generation students in Catholic secondary school settings with the strategies to develop a sustained program with university partnerships.

Authors

• Jesus Rodriguez, Creighton University; Loyola High School

• Ricardo José Pedroarias, Loyola High School; Loyola Marymount University

• Latonya Rease-Miles, Loyola Marymount University

• Evelyn Jimenez

• Gina Liberotti

• Paul David Jordan, Loyola High School