National Landscape Reports
National Landscape Reports
Reports cover national landscape findings and offer insights and recommendations.
First-generation Student Success:
A Landscape Analysis of Programs, Services, and Perspectives in Higher Education
As institutions of higher education strive to equitably serve a growing and increasingly visible population of first-generation college students, the findings of this updated landscape analysis underscore both progress and persistent challenges. Through comprehensive data collection and stakeholder engagement, this series of research briefs provides a critical, nuanced view of the current state of first-generation student support. It is clear that while there is no singular approach to success, intentional, data-informed, and equity-driven strategies are essential. By uplifting the voices of practitioners and students alike, this work offers a roadmap for institutions committed to not only understanding but also transforming the postsecondary experience for first-generation students—ensuring they have the support needed to thrive in college, career, and life.
FOURTH BRIEF NOW AVAILABLE!
"It’s kind of a flex": Reflections on being a first-generation student
Produced in partnership with Phase Two Advisory, this new national landscape brief explores the first-generation student identity and belonging and harnesses the student perspective. These insights were gathered from systematic analysis of focus group data with 45 students from 42 two- and four-year colleges in 19 states. Focus groups were conducted in April 2025, as part of a larger landscape study of first-generation college student supports.
Suggested Citation: Karp, M. M., & Lyons, S. (2025). “It’s kind of a flex”: Reflections on being a first-generation college student. Washington, DC: FirstGen Forward and Phase Two Advisory.
THIRD BRIEF NOW AVAILABLE!
Supporting First-generation College Students in 2025: A National Perspective
Produced in partnership with Phase Two Advisory, this new research brief documents higher education’s efforts to support first-generation college students in the context of what has occurred at U.S. colleges during the first half of 2025. Conducted between October and December of 2024, the survey data captured the perspectives of 571 practitioners at 411 institutions across 47 states and the District of Columbia.
Suggested citation: Karp, M.M., Waintraub Stafford, D., & Lyons, S. (2025). Supporting First-generation College Students in 2025: A National Perspective. Washington, DC: FirstGen Forward and Phase Two Advisory.
SECOND BRIEF NOW AVAILABLE!
Identifying First-generation College Students: Definitions, Data, and Data Use
Produced in partnership with Phase Two Advisory, this new research brief builds on FirstGen Forward’s foundational landscape analyses from 2018 (four-year institutions) and 2020 (two-year institutions), offering fresh insight into how U.S. colleges and universities define, identify, and use data on first-generation students today.
Suggested citation: Lyons, S., Karp, M. M., Stalowski, N., & Fugate, M. (2025). Identifying First-generation College Students: Definitions, Data, and Data Use. Washington, DC: FirstGen Forward and Phase Two Advisory
Landscape Analysis Series (2025)
First-generation College Students’ Career Entry: College Perspectives
Many first-generation students attend college to prepare for stable careers and pursue social mobility, while navigating unfamiliar social, economic, and professional landscapes. While much has been written about their educational experiences, less is known about their career development and the challenges they face transitioning into the workforce. This brief addresses that gap, highlighting both the institutional support available and the often-overlooked cultural aspects of boundary-crossing and imposter syndrome.
Suggested citation: Karp, M. M., Lyons, S., Stalowski, N., & Fugate, M. (2025). First-generation College Students’ Career Entry: College Perspectives. Washington, DC: FirstGen Forward and Phase Two Advisory.
First-generation Student Success:
A landscape analysis of programs and services at four-year institutions.
First-generation Student Success: A Landscape Analysis of Programs and Services at Four-year Institutions examines the uniquely complex first-generation identity, institutional mindsets and approaches, and practical insights for advancing changes along with a offering a robust set of recommendations for the higher education community to improve the experiences and outcomes of first-generation college students.
Suggested citation: Whitley, S.E., Benson, G., & Wesaw, A. (2018). First-generation Student Success: A Landscape Analysis of Programs and Services at Four-year Institutions. Washington, DC: Center for First-generation Student Success, NASPA–Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education, and Entangled Solutions.
First-generation Students in Community and Technical Colleges:
A National Exploration of Institutional Support Practices.
First-generation Students in Community and Technical Colleges: A National Exploration of Institutional Support Practices features the perspectives of administrators and student services practitioners who work daily to improve first-generation student outcomes, the voices of first-generation community and technical college students reflecting on their unique experiences, and analyses of the programs and approaches these institutions offer in support of first-generation student success.
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. FirstGen Forward; NASPA–Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education
