College Culture BrokersA Model for Supporting First-Generation College Student Success

Sally E. Heilstedt

Presentation Outline

• First-Generation College Students

• College Culture

• Good Information and Meaningful Relationship

• Cultural Brokers

• College Culture Brokers: Implications for Practice

First Generation College Students

Students whose parents did not earn baccalaureate degrees.

Characteristics:• Low-Income• Older• Ethnic minorities• English Language Learners• Employed while in school• Dependent children

(NCES, 1998)

Challenges:• Lack of preparation• Anxiety (A LOT)

• Finances• Failure

• Lack of connection to the college environment

Impact: Lower persistence, academic achievement, and degree completion

(Mis)Perceptionsand

Assets & Abilities

College Culture

Consider what you take for granted.

Language

Processes

Norms

Values, Beliefs, and Assumptions

Good Informationand

Meaningful Relationship

Cultural BrokersRoles and Alignment with First-Generation Students’ Needs

Role Characteristics Student Need(s) MetLiaison Knowledge of both cultures

Ability to communicate between culturesInformation

Cultural Guide

Deep understanding of both cultures Respected and trusted in both cultures

Information and relationship

Mediator/Mentor

Ability to establish and maintain trust through meaningful relationships

Willingness to invest time Use of relationship to address difficult

issues

Information and relationship (emphasis on relationship)

Change Agent

Ability to create inclusive and collaborative environments

Use of knowledge and understanding of both cultures to address institutional and college culture issues

Willingness to serve as student advocate

Information and relationship

(NCCC, 2004)

Cultural Sensitivity and Competence

The Importance of Self-Reflection (Hofstede &

Hofstede, 2005)

Crucial Questions:• Was my status first-generation or non-

first-generation?• How did participating in the college

culture impact my personal development?• What cultural values, beliefs, and

practices informed my approach to college? And now, my approach to students and the issues they present?

• How has integration into the college culture impacted identity and values?

• What norms are taken for-granted?

Good Information

Use multiple avenues for communicating good information• Office Hours• Pre- or Post-Class Sessions• Handouts• Blogs

Stay up-to-date

Build relationships

Meaningful Relationship

“We let people tell their stories. We honor what they say.”

Patricia Hunter, Associate Dean of TRiO Projects at LWTech

Intentionally seek out students

Follow up

Celebrate!

Initiating Change

Advocating for First-Generation College Students

Provide good information to and develop meaningful relationships with staff, faculty, and administrators

Lead by example and through more formal avenues (Goleman, 1998)

College Culture BrokersMeeting the Need for Good Information

and Meaningful Relationship

References

Goleman, D. (1998). What makes a leader? Harvard Business Review, 93-102.

Hofstede, G., & Hofstede, G. J. (2005). Cultures and organizations: Software of the Mind – Intercultural communication and its importance for survival (2nd ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill.

National Center for Cultural Competence. (2004). Bridging the cultural divide in health care settings: The essential role of cultural broker programs. Retrieved from Georgetown University Center for Child and Human Development, NCCC website: http://www.culturalbroker.info/index.html

NCES. (1998). Characteristics of first-generation college students. Journal of Adolescent and Adult Literacy, 42(3), 220.