The course is designed to increase retention rates for first-year, first-generation college students. "National enrollment statistics show that students who are first in their family to attend college constitute approximately 1/3 of all degree-seeking students," states Cathy Bradford. "These first-generation students often face overwhelming obstacles to their success, including a sense of isolation once they arrive on campus and an utter lack of familiarity with the university culture and its demands. In fall 2015, we piloted the Quest Learning Community for first-generation students to provide customized support and encouragement and to learn how we might serve this population on a larger scale in the future."

 

College students benefit from this project in numerous ways.  First, they are required to conduct research regarding the challenges of being first-generation college students. As a result, they learn that these problems affect students around the world as their research is based on global, national, regional and local evidence. Then, they collaborate as a group to identify challenges and are asked to present solutions. The course requires that students work in small groups and share their research with local high-school students (juniors and seniors).

 

Two hours before the group of students spoke at North Cobb High, another group of Quest students presented at Johns Creek High School in front of approximately 60 hopeful seniors – eager to hear what the college students had to share.  Additional high school visits will be presented at Peachtree Ridge High School, West Forsythe High School and North Cobb High School.

 

Click here to read both the MDJ article and KSU News article.