Monica Contreras felt the pressure in 2020 as she prepared to attend Sam Houston State...
Sam Houston State University student CeNiya Ross talks during an event for first-generation college students, Thursday, Sept. 1, 2022 in Huntsville. Sam Houston State University has opened its First-Generation Center, a place on campus full of resources to help students and their families get through college. About 50 percent of SHSU's students are first generation college students.
Contreras said she found resources to help her succeed once classes started on the Huntsville campus, but said she wishes she knew more beforehand. About half of Sam Houston students are the first in their families to go to four-year universities, and they face increased obstacles and a significantly lower chance of earning their degrees.
First-generation students can use the center on the second floor of the Newton Gresham Library as a landing space to connect with already-existing programs and to have more urgent questions addressed — including finding their way around campus and applying for financial aid. The goal is to help students find “connection, encouragement and belonging” on their path to graduation, Stephenson said.
One study found that 20 percent of first-generation students attained a bachelor’s degree six years after enrollment, compared to 49 percent of students who had one or more parent earn a bachelor’s. More than half first-generation students are also the first of their siblings to attend university, meaning they arrive with even less knowledge about college.
“How do we support the whole student?” she said. “How do we find where in their education they might be deciding to unenroll?” Despite not having a designated space when she started university, Contreras said she always felt that Sam Houston put focus on helping first-generation students.
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