Full Schedule PDF

Thursday Event Agenda & Session Options 

8:45am-9:00am

Welcome Address

The opening remarks will be delivered by Dr. Ali Houshmand, Rowan University President.

9:00am-10:15am

Keynote

First-gen, Future-ready: Bold, Just & Transformative Actions for Equitable Success

Lindsay Romasanta, Ed.D.

What does it really take to ensure that first-generation college students thrive? Join Dr. Lindsay Romasanta, co-editor of the Journal of First-Generation Student Success and Catalyst First Speaker during this dynamic talk. Dr. Romasanta will show-case the history of the first-generation lexicon, dissecting the promising strategies and the asset based approaches all while centering student voices and lived experiences.

10:15am-10:30am

Break

10:30am-11:15am

Learning English and Striving to Succeed: A Haitian Immigrant’s Journey through the K-12 and Higher-Ed Systems

Lauwinda Cherilus

In pursuit of her goals, Cherilus has learned to leverage her learning skills and seek partnerships and connections that enhance her academic and career goals. Her experiences, personal and educational, have provided invaluable learning opportunities and shaped how she prioritizes her mental health and remains engaged in academics. In this interactive session, attendees will discuss ways student groups, campus activities and volunteer opportunities can make a deep impact for New Majority students. New Majority students may come from a variety of different backgrounds, but can all learn to value and build relationships that will help them overcome daily struggles and navigate their college experience. I encourage people to build deep connections and a positive community with people willing to understand your struggles and find people that are willing to help you achieve your destiny, and always take care of yourself physically and mentally.

10:30am-11:30am

The Piece of Paper is Not a Golden Ticket to Success

Sharon McCann

Many first generation students have been led to believe that "getting a degree" will launch them into a comfortable middle class. Getting the degree is only half of the battle. Many learn how to search for jobs, but no one has taught them how to launch a career. Rowan University has a number of support systems for launching your career, but students often do not know they exist, or how to use them appropriately. Transitioning from student to subject matter expert requires a new mindset. Discussion will be on career coaching, leveraging your skillset, and utilizing social capital.

10:30am-11:30am*

Investigating Barriers to Success: Rowan University 3+1 First-generation Students

Nicole Tota

In the past twenty years, first-generation college students and transfer students have both become increasingly large groups whose needs are complex and dynamic, yet who are, overall, less likely to graduate on time or at all compared to their traditional, non-first-generation peers. This qualitative study of several seniors in the RCBC 3+1 program, a partnership between Rowan and Rowan College of Burlington County, reveals the structures that can be put in place to better support first-generation transfer students. Using a theoretical framework of Cultural Capital Theory (Bourdieu, 1986), Ecological Systems Theory (Bronfenbrenner, 1977), and Social Cognitive Career Theory (Lent, et al, 1994), I hypothesize that unclear institutional policies, programmatic gaps, and limited feedback from first generation transfer students in the development of the RCBC 3+1 program have exacerbated the challenges that first-generation transfer students experience. However, this has been offset by the work of advisors within the program, who have encouraged self-efficacy and the building of cultural capital through empowering students to ask the right questions and to explore their opportunities.

*Also offered on Wednesday at 9:15am.

10:30am-11:30am*

Creating an Inclusive Environment for First-generation, Transfer Students in Postsecondary Institutions

Andrew Gold, M.A.

First-generation, transfer students in postsecondary education are a diverse and expanding demographic on college and university campuses, but they are not consistently recognized for the great potential they bring to their respective institutions. As scholars at 4-year colleges and universities, first-generation, transfer students hold similar graduation and retention rates as their traditional counterparts, and they bring valuable lived experiences to their programs. Additionally, they make up a diverse population on campus, as they are comprised of students of color, parents, veterans, students from low-income backgrounds, and at times all of the above. Therefore, to support the academic success of this student population, 4-year institutions must create inclusive spaces, and improve representation. The aim of this interactive presentation is to recognize the success of first-generation, transfer students in higher education, and to share ideas to improve their overall experiences through academic advising, teaching, and creating inclusive spaces and organizations that build a sense of belonging for academic success.

*Also offered on Wednesday at 12:30pm.

10:30am-11:30am

Student Engagement: A Fluid Process with Varied Approaches to Success

Leah A.B. Johnson

Student Engagement: A fluid process with varied approaches to success expands the view of student success to encompass an individual achieved experience through clear outcomes, collaborative effort and individualization of academic support. The topic looks at the various profiles of the new majority impacted by a post pandemic experience, delves into the notion of collaborative programming and services as a necessity more than an option and outlines best practices utilized on a campus where the new majority is the population, pedagogical and support services shifts are the present climate.

*Also offered on Wednesday at 1:55pm.

11:30am-12:45pm

Luncheon

Enyon Ballroom

At the conclusion of the luncheon, welcome remarks will be delivered by Dr. Kevin Koett, Rowan University Dean of Students, followed by the awarding of this year's recipient for the Excellence in Support & Advocacy of First-Generation Students.

12:45pm-2:00pm

First-generation Student Panel

Nateria Burrell, Zarqum Masood, Aronday Harden, Sapjah Zapotitla, and Eziekel Abrams

This year’s theme, “A Mosaic of Success: Higher Education for the New Majority,” invites students, families, professionals, educators, and scholars to share their successes, as well as the challenges that they have encountered. These may cover such varied topics as academic support in non-traditional spaces, development of experiential learning, institutional policies and practices, and demystifying the financial aid process. These presentations can go a long way toward not only creating opportunities for New Majority students but also developing a higher standard for meeting the needs of all students.

2:00pm-2:15pm

Break

2:15pm-3:15pm

Supporting Students who are Raising Children: Candid Conversation on Current Challenges and Successes

Cori Brown, Ph.D., Hannah Kye, Ed.D., Leah Walker, M.Ed.

Join this panel of higher education faculty and professional staff who are working together to support undergraduate and graduate students going to school full or part time while also raising children. Many individuals in this unique subpopulation of students are also first in their families to attend college, which adds another layer of learning as well as potential obstacles in their path to success. We plan to engage in real talk about the challenges and successes facing students. No doubt the interactions will be lively, and likely humorous at times since the things we encounter as parents often bring smiles to our faces! Building on our work funded by the federal grant CCAMPIS (Child Care Access Means Parents in School), we will strive to identify and clarify clear support structures to ensure academic and social success.

2:15pm-3:15pm

First-Gen and Pregnant: The Challenges & Successes of College Students Who Are Parents

Lakeisha Carter, Ed.D.

There are many things that come to mind when you discover that college students are parents too. In this presentation, you will hear short testimonials of First-generation students who are parents. I will discuss the challenges of being a student who is a parent, how I found my safe space/community on campus, and the resources I used on and off campus. I will share how I found success as a college student who was a parent and how I believe higher education institutions can provide support to this group of non-traditional students.

2:15pm-3:15pm

Taking the Journey Together: Academic Advising for First-generation Student Success*

Claude Taylor

This interactive session intended for first-gen students, faculty and staff will guide participants through an exploration of the essential elements of academic advising practices for first-gen college student success. Participants will be asked to actively engage in conversation and self-reflection around guidelines for developing meaningful academic advising relationships informed by social justice principles that promote first-gen college student success.

*Also offered on Wednesday at 10:40am.

3:15pm-3:25pm

Break

3:25pm-3:45pm

Closing Remarks

Join us as we close out the 2023 6th annual First-generation Symposium. 

Thursday Event Agenda & Session Options