First Year Experiences in Higher Education

Last week, I was fortunate to attend and speak at the Midwest FYE Conference at Northern Illinois University.  The keynote speaker, Dr. Vasti Torres from Indiana University, delivered a strong address that highlighted the current status of higher education.  The current climate of higher education includes a more diverse student population, students who are less prepared as evidenced by more remedial education experiences, higher public accountability for degree completion, and less funding available to meet the growing expectations.  Dr. Torres went on to claim that there are more part-time college students and national studies indicate that 68% of part-time college students do not complete their degrees.

The current state of higher education is definitely fraught with challenge.  In order to meet these challenges, it’s crucial to understand who are students are and what are the available tools and resources available to support students.  Dr. Torres described one of her studies in which she examined how first generation Latino students engage in information seeking behaviors.  Her research found that students will typically seek out early support from trusted friends (whether those friends have good information or not).  After they face a larger challenge, they may eventually seek out institutional supports.  It is therefore important to create connections with students earlier and foster stronger connections with the institution through high impact practices.

Throughout the conference, many different institutions shared their examples of practices designed to support students including peer mentor programs, parent information programs for Spanish speaking parents, and collaboration between student and academic affairs.   My colleague from North Central College and I shared about a summer bridge program for students.  I completed an interview study with students who had participated with the program in 2010.  Interview data showed that the program helped students gain a more accurate schema of college life and helped to develop a connection to the campus community. 

College offers opportunities for the development of skills and knowledge needed for career development.  College also provides individuals will opportunities to stretch personally and develop life skills that will provide an important foundation for future life experiences.  College is also a rich and complicated experience that requires structured supports and developmental insights.

Midwest First Year Conference  http://www.mfyc.org