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Tag: A Walk in My Shoes: First-Generation College Students

Educators develop e-book about first gen students

 

1st gen book cover

A new resource filled with insights about first-generation college students is available free to all educators, school counselors and administrators hoping to inspire students to attend college.

“Being the ‘First:’ A Narrative Inquiry into the Funds of Knowledge of First Generation College Students in Teacher Education” was written by Jeong-Hee Kim, professor of curriculum and instruction at Texas State University; Amanda R. Morales, assistant professor of curriculum and instruction and diversity coordinator for the College of Education; Rusty Earl, COE videographer, and Sandra Avalos, academic advisor in the college’s Center for Student and Professional Services. Mary Hammel, associate director of the Catalyst Center, served as graphic designer and editor.

Morales explained more than one-third of the college’s students are first gen. Forty percent of K-State students are first gen, compared to roughly 19 percent nationally.

Footage from the college’s documentary “A Walk in My Shoes: First-Generation College Students” provided the material for the narrative inquiry research project, which culminated in the electronic publication. The e-book contains a resource section complete with links to national scholarships, FAFSA information, and other support programs focused on first gen student success.

“Over the course of a year, we worked and sifted through hours and hours of data to construct the essence of who these people were as students and their journeys as first-gens,” Morales said. “It shows the amazing strengths and capital first gen students have and how they had to fight and endure hardships to get to college. This e-book provides context for understanding their experiences and will help educators better support these students.”

The book is available on the New Prairie Press website.