Helping First-Generation College Students Succeed

This timely edited volume offers a broad selection of psychologically grounded, classroom- and campus-tested strategies for transforming higher education to empower first-generation (FG) college students to succeed and thrive. The book serves as an evidence-based, psychology-informed toolkit for faculty and administrators across varied institutions and disciplines to foster the successful integration of FG college students. The editors and chapter authors reimagine a higher education landscape where institutions move beyond deficit-based assumptions of engagement with FG students, acknowledging disadvantages and inequities while promoting strengths-based and institutionally responsive approaches. Chapters provide a nuanced interdisciplinary perspective on supporting FG students, focusing on students' lived experiences, cultural wealth, and identity development, recognizing them as central contributors whose presence drives innovation, relevance, and vitality across the academy. The book integrates psychological frameworks with practical classroom and institutional strategies, highlighting practices that have succeeded across a wide range of higher education institutions and drawing on insights from those who have thoughtfully adapted these methods. A key strength of this volume is its presentation of concrete, evidence-informed pedagogical approaches that can be readily implemented across courses, departments, and programs. Chapters feature a user-friendly format, enabling faculty and academic leaders to incorporate the approaches quickly and efficiently into their teaching and curricular planning. Given the increasing demands on college instructors, this accessibility offers immediate value to institutions. Each chapter includes a discussion of an activity or program, including its effectiveness and implementation recommendations. Robust supplementary resources to support college teachers and faculty are offered online.