As the landscape of higher education changes to allow increased access for first-generation college students (FGS), emerging research should take into account the unique nature of this at-risk population of students (Aspelmeier, Love, McGill, Elliott, & Pierce, 2012). These students tend to be less prepared for the rigors of college coursework (Horn & Bobbitt, 2000; Strayhorn, 2006; Thayer, 2000) and may lack appropriate expectations (Pascarella, Pierson, Wolniak, & Terenzini, 2004). In particular, FGS may struggle with understanding the importance of creating and maintaining relationships with faculty (Cotten & Wilson, 2006; Davis, 2010). In order to discover any correlation between expectations for experiences with faculty and student success, as measured by cumulative first-year grade point average (GPA) and persistence to the second year of college, this study utilized Astin's Inputs-Environment-Outcomes (I-E-O) model. Astin's I-E-O model outlines the relationship between inputs, environment, and outcomes in order to understand student persistence in college (Astin & Sax, 1998; Thurmond & Popkess-Vawter, 2003). Although past researchers focused on the relationship between these inputs, experiences, and outcomes, the relationship of inputs (expectations) and outcomes (academic performance) has garnered less attention. Further, many focus on the disconnection between expectations and experiences; however, this study focuses solely on the expectations and its relationship with academic outcomes. The purpose of this research was to investigate the potential differences between first- and continuing-generation students' (CGS) expectations for faculty experiences and to discover any correlation between parental status and academic performance. This study utilized the College Student Expectations Questionnaire (CSXQ) in order to analyze 3,234 first-time in college students' expectations of faculty experiences during a summer 2008 orientation at a large, public, research intensive, metropolitan university located in West-Central Florida. The study also examined differences between FGS and CGS in first year college academic performance, while controlling for high school GPA. Further, the study assessed the relationship between FGS and CGS' expectations for faculty experiences and their academic performance after the first year of college, while controlling for high school GPA. Academic performance after the first year of college was measured as cumulative college grade point average and enrollment in the second year of college. The study analyzed secondary data in order to address seven research questions. No statistically significant differences were discovered between FGS and CGS' expectations for faculty experiences. Further, no statistically significant differences existed between FGS and CGS' academic performance, as measured by cumulative first year college grade point average and enrollment in the second year of college, while controlling for high school GPA. Lastly, weak relationships were discovered between FGS and CGS' expectations for faculty experiences and their academic performance after the first year of college. The study did not find statistically significant differences between FGS and CGS' academic performance, as measured by cumulative college grade point average and enrollment in the second year of college, while controlling for high school grade point average. Although strong relationships between expectations and academic performance were not revealed, these findings suggest that first- and continuing-generation college students may have other indicators or characteristics that impact their expectations. These indicators may correlate to academic performance measures including college GPA and enrollment in the second year.

Utilizing the College Student Experiences Questionnaire(CSEQ), a regression analysis was run to identify the ways in which 95 Native American college students attending an elite,religious, predominantly White institution (PWI)interact with faculty. These interactions were used to predict correlations with the educational outcomes of (1) aspirations for graduate school, (2) GPA and (3) overall gains from college. The findings were further disaggregated by first-generation and continuing-generation status. The findings suggest that none of the faculty-student interactions or demographic variables were significantly correlated with aspirations for graduate school. Gender, class standing and age were significantly correlated with GPA. A better relationship with faculty members positively correlated with five of the estimate of gains, suggesting that the better a students' relationships with faculty, the greater their overall gains from college. The current study found that first-generation students did not socialize with a faculty member outside of class as much as continuing-generation students. However, this study found that first-generation students reported better relationships with faculty than continuing generation-students and being more willing than continuing-generation students to work harder as a result of feedback from an instructor. The findings identify faculty-student interactions that can lead to success in higher education for Native American college students, as well as understanding how these interactions compare or differ for first-generation and continuing-generation Native American college students.

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Students who are the first in their families to attend college are less likely to earn a college degree as compared to their continuing-generation peers. In efforts to increase college graduation rates for first-generation college students, support programs designed to assist first-generation college students are increasing in numbers. These first- generation programs are relying on existing research to build effective curriculums. Even though an extensive body of literature exists in the fields of self-efficacy and first- generation college students, research investigating the self-efficacy of first-generation college students are extremely limited. The research is further limited when examining academic self-efficacy and generational status. The purpose of this study is to investigate if parental levels of education affect college students’ self-reported levels of academic self-efficacy. The following research questions guided this study: 1) Do survey response hierarchies differ between first-generation college students and their continuing- generation counterparts on a scale that measures academic self-efficacy?, 2) Do levels of item endorsability vary based upon parental levels of education? and 3) Do the results produced from the college student survey support the existing literature on first- generation college students and academic-self-efficacy? Quality control indicators were utilized to assess the soundness of the instrument and to ensure that the rating scale functioned appropriately. Variable maps were used to compare and contrast student responses and item hierarchies. Pairwise differential item functioning (DIF) was used to examine item endorsability based upon levels of parental education. Results encourage practitioners to be mindful of the importance of data-informed decision making.

This study examined differences between adult first-generation (AFG) and adult-continuing generation (ACG) students’ academic self-efficacy with regard to the online courses in which they were currently enrolled. The study used an online survey methodology to collect self-reported quantitative data from 1,768 undergraduate students enrolled in an online course at a mid-sized, four-year public university in the southwestern United States; 325 cases were usable for the study. The t-tests revealed no statistically significant differences between the academic self-efficacy of the AFG and ACG students. Parents’ level of educational attainment was unrelated to adult students’ academic self-efficacy with online courses. Ordinary least-squares analysis was used to evaluate student characteristics that might be associated with academic self-efficacy in the online environment. A combination of gender, GPA, age, race/ethnicity (White, Black, Hispanic, and other), and number of previous online courses predicted a statistically significant 12% of the variance in academic self-efficacy in an online environment (p < .001). Age (p < .001) and self-efficacy were positively correlated, meaning that adult students reported greater academic self-efficacy than did younger students; and number of previous online courses (p < .001) was also positively correlated to academic self-efficacy, indicating that students with greater experience with online courses reported a greater sense of academic self-efficacy in that environment than students who had completed fewer online courses. This study has implications of providing additional insight for higher education practitioners working with adult learners. Identifying additional factors influencing adult learners’ academic self-efficacy in an online academic environment may be useful when building effective strategies to improve online retention and completion rates for these students. Future research should examine a wider variety of variables beyond demographic characteristics. External and internal factors, along with existing theories of behaviors should be investigated to help explain adult persistence and retention online and in face-to-face courses.