About this episode:
Engaging more first-gen students in college and improving their graduation rates are key to increasing the social mobility of future generations of Americans. This episode examines the journeys of three first-gen higher education students: Jake Pacansky, a 78-year old retired research chemist with a Ph.D., and Ariana Borroto and Demetri Williams, two community college students with plans to transfer to a 4-year university.
Resources for this episode:
Azziz, R, (2016, Oct 6). Why engaging more first gen students in higher education matters. Huffington Post.
California State University, (2016). 2016 Factbook.
California State University, (2016). Graduation Initiative.
Carnevale, A. P., Smith, H, & Strohl, J. (2013). Recovery: Job growth and education requirements through 2020. Georgetown Public Policy Institute.
Engle, J. & Tinto, V. (2008). Moving beyond access: College success for low-income, first-generation students. The Pell Institute.
National Center for Education Statistics, (2014). Digest of Education Statistics. Total fall enrollment of first-time degree/certificate-seeking students in degree-granting postsecondary institutions.
Venator, J. & Reeves, R. V. (2015, Feb 6). Three reasons college matters for social mobility. Brookings.
Really enjoyed this podcast, Michelle. I loved hearing your dad share his experiences with Community College and then how you put that alongside the experiences of the other students. A great start for this new podcast!
Hi Paul. Thanks so much for listening and for sharing your take aways. We are excited about episode two. Stay tuned and keep the feedback coming.
Listened to two episodes with a lump in my throat. My family arrived on the U S in 1973 as undocumented immigrants. My father’s primary mission was survival. College was a dream held at bay by the risk of immigrant status on college applications. After gaining legal status, working in a hi-tech company (which helped pay for y education) I earned my degree in Business Management. It took six years, and matriculation in most of Sacramento’s outstanding Junior Colleges, but I did it. Today, one of my siblings has earned a Masters. She credits me for “inspiring” her to pursue higher education.