First in Line Helps FGCS Students

For many Baylor students, college life has long been part of their family history. Their parents may have attended Baylor or another university. They have aunts, uncles and grandparents with college degrees. And if they need advice or support when they hit a rough patch in their studies, those relatives usually are there to provide knowledgeable help.

In contrast, a significant number of Baylor students are pioneers in their families. They are the first to go to college, and as such they are the pride of their parents and a source of inspiration for other students in their communities. However, such first-generation college students sometimes find themselves facing a lonely and confusing struggle when times get tough, with family members back home unable to help guide them through a challenge or the inner workings of a college campus.

“Most first-generation college students do not have the social capital in place that non-first-generation students have to navigate the college experience,” said Dr. Courtney Pace Lyons, assistant director of student success and a lecturer in religion at Baylor. “Often, they come from lower socio-economic backgrounds and have not had adequate academic preparation in their high schools for the rigor of an institution like Baylor.”

In-depth study

Beginning in 2015, first-generation college students enrolling in Baylor will benefit from the resources of a new program on campus called First in Line. Overseen by Pace Lyons, as a member of the Paul L. Foster Success Center’s staff, the program is the end result of an in-depth and collaborative effort by individuals across campus.

In the fall semester of 2013, the Enrollment Management Working Group appointed a task force to make well-researched and cost-effective recommendations to better serve first-generation college students at Baylor. Composed of more than 15 members from a broad range of academic and administrative departments, the First-Generation College Students (FGCS) Task Force spent the ensuing academic year studying the characteristics and experiences of Baylor’s FGCS students and developing ideas that readily could be implemented to better support these students.

Among the group’s findings:

• Nationally, FGCS students are more than twice as likely to leave four-year institutions without a degree.

• In the fall of 2012, Baylor retained over 90 percent of non-FGCS students but just under 80 percent of FGCS students.

• In the fall of 2012, 76 percent of FGCS students earned a GPA of 2.5 or higher, while 87 percent of non-FGCS earned the same GPA.

• FGCS students earn fewer semester hours than their peers.

Greater support

The FGCS Task Force found that standard institutional methods of supporting student success do not serve FGCS and non-FGCS students equally well. Additionally, in its executive summary, the group noted that while Baylor offers many academic-support and community-oriented services and programs for all students, the University has not developed targeted messages, programs and supports for this at-risk group of students.

The group’s recommendations, which were approved by the Enrollment Management Council in the spring of 2014, are now being realized through the new initiatives of First in Line.

“Academic Affairs and Student Learning and Engagement have both partnered with Community Engagement and Service to bring AmeriCorps VISTA workers to Baylor to focus on our First in Line programs,” Pace Lyons said. “These VISTA workers will reach out to incoming first-generation students during the summer prior to their first semester to assist with the transition and continue to serve as a resource to these students throughout their Baylor experience.”

Pace Lyons said other new resources will include:

• First in Line Student Council, which will meet monthly to discuss issues related to being a first-generation student at Baylor.

• First in Line Peer Mentoring program, overseen by Student Learning and Engagement, that will connect current and incoming first-generation students at Baylor to facilitate academic and personal success.

• Two dedicated financial aid counselors in Student Financial Services for FGCS students.

• First in Line Summer Advantage program for incoming FGCS students.

• More resources for faculty and staff who work with FGCS students to help them understand the unique needs and best practices for working with these students.

In addition, Pace Lyons noted that a number of areas on campus are partnering to develop resources to better support parents of first-generation students, including the Parents Network, Academic Affairs, Student Life and Admissions.

A sense of belonging

“Developing more effective support for first-generation college students is mission-critical for Baylor since it fulfills the aspirations of Pro Futuris to judiciously steward University resources while offering a transformational educational experience to all our students,” Pace Lyons said.

She added that the name for the new program is intended to celebrate the milestone accomplishment of being a first-generation student while also conveying a sense of pride in being a Baylor Bear.

“First in Line captures the essence of what we want to promote — academic and personal success and love of Baylor,” Pace Lyons said. “We want to cultivate a sense of belonging at Baylor specifically for these students.”

During the upcoming year, Pace Lyons said, there will be opportunities for interested faculty and staff, especially those who were first generation students themselves, to be involved in the First in Line Summer Advantage program and to help develop additional training resources for faculty and staff who serve first generation students.