First-Generation Students in Community and Technical Colleges

Community and technical colleges are critical access points for higher education, particularly for first-generation college students. To understand the current state of first-generation student support programs and services at community and technical colleges across the United States, the Center for First-generation Student Success partnered with Phase Two Advisory to interview institution leaders, administrators, student services staff, and first-generation students and collect data from a national survey. In total, 38 two-year institutions across 22 states, as well as 23 first-generation students through focus groups at eight institutions, are represented in our qualitative data. We also gathered survey responses from 197 faculty, administrators, and thought leaders across 156 two-year institutions.

Suggested citation: Mechur Karp, M., Cormier, M., Whitley, S. E., Umbarger-Wells, S. M., & Wesaw, A. (2020). First-generation students in community and technical colleges: A national exploration of institutional support practices. Center for First-generation Student Success; NASPA–Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education; Phase Two Advisory. https://firstgen.naspa.org/research-and-policy/community-and-technical-college-report