More first-generation students are attending college than ever before, and policy makers agree that increasing their participation in higher education is a matter of priority. This book provides high-level administrators with a plan of action for deans to create the awareness necessary for meaningful long-term change.

Jeff Davis is an English professor, academic counselor, and administrator at Sonoma State University in California. He became interested in the plight of first-generation college students when he was exposed to the work being done with nontraditional students on the Sonoma State campus through federal TRIO grant projects, which led to his becoming Director of a TRIO Student Support Service project and a TRIO McNair Scholars project. He is currently involved in designing an institute for the study of the first-generation student experience to be housed at Sonoma State.

Introduction 1. How many First-Generation College Students Are There? 2. The Observable Behaviors of First-Generation College Students 3. The Internal Psychology of First-Generation College Students 4. In Their Own Words 5. Narrative Analysis 6. Recommendations Conclusion References About the Author Index