The First Year for the First Generation Project
Institution:
Palm Beach State College
Academic Level:
Associate
Issue Area:
Access
Year:
2009
Designation:
SEMILLAS
Key Personnel:
Martinez-White, Susy
Address:
4200 Congress Avenue
City:
Lake Worth
State:
FL
Zip:
33461 
College access program to increase Latino participation in first generation scholarship program, dual-enrollment courses, and increase retention through support services and peer mentoring.
Goal/Mission:
- Increase Latino participation in the dual-enrollment program.
- Award 24% of first-generation scholarships to entering Latino students.
- Improve Latino first-year student retention.
- 90% of Hispanic/Latino students will access components of the First Experience Program.
Outcome:
The First Year for the First Generation Project has a record of success with outreach to first-generation students, many of who are Latinos. The project met or surpassed the goals detailed above except that the college awarded 19% of first-generation scholarship instead of 24% goals which was originally set at the beginning of the grant.
In addition to meeting these goals, this initiative promoted better communication college-wide as well as the community in providing access to Latino students in obtaining resources to help them reach their educational goals. All of the activities, which were a part of the initial project, have now become integrated into processes and strategic plan of the institution. We now have a very successful First Year Experience (FYE) Program and have continued to offer dual enrollment and first generation scholarships to assist our Latino population.
In the past 3 years, since we were awarded the Walmart SEMILLAS grant, we have increased our Latino enrollment to 25% college-wide, many of which are first year in college as well as first generation college students. This project has shown to be successful and easily sustained when adopted as part of the culture of the institution.
Search Programs
