First Generation College Students: Navigating Higher Education

Barriers to Access, Inclusion, & Success

There are many barriers that impede a first-generation college students' ability to enter, succeed, and/or graduate from higher education institutions. These barriers typically fall into two categories: individual factors and structural factors. 

Individual factors often include limited access to human capital, social capital, cultural capital, and economic capital. 

Structural factors are often formed by the various environments that surround a child, including their family, school, and neighborhood. 

Both factors impact an individual's ability to obtain the resources and preparation they need for success.

However, 
Community Cultural Wealth examines student experiences through an appreciative model, which honors the experiences found in communities of marginalized identities. 

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