There has been an increase in the number of first-generation adult learners in higher education institutions. However, literature has revealed limited information on the experiences of first-generation adult learners and their perception of the barriers they face in higher education. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to examine the experiences of 6 first-generation adult learners attending a higher education institution and their perception of the barriers they faced. The theoretical foundations were andragogy theory and social-cognitive career theory. Data were collected using purposeful interviews and data were analyzed using iinterpretative pphenomenological aanalysis. Five detailed patterns were identified: (a) students experienced specific barriers associated with anxiety and fear; (b) students were able to adapt to change and overcome their barriers; (c) students viewed education as a way out of their present situation and welcomed it as a positive influence; (d) students viewed the barriers as normal life challenges; and (e) the availability of supportive services made a difference in the adult learning environment. Findings from this research will contribute to the knowledge and experiences of first-generation adult learners in higher education institutions and the unique barriers they face. In addition to the development of effective programs designed for first-generation adult learners, administrators, staff, and faculty in higher education institutions can use the data generated from this study to improve overall retention/graduation rates for underserved populations in higher education by identifying any obstacles to success and implementing intervention policies.

Growth mindset is an important component for a journey towards self-actualization. It is unknown if whole-person learning can assist development of that growth mindset for first-generation learners. The purpose of this quasi-experimental study was to examine if exposure to whole-person learning positively influences a growth mindset by exploring the relationship between whole-person learning and a growth mindset in first-generation learners. Whole-person learning was presented as a vehicle for developing that growth mindset towards self-actualization. Dweck's Mindset Survey scores were collected from first-generation learners who participated in orientation courses either with or without whole-person learning in 4 institutions (n = 177) using a pretest/posttest control group design. A mean analysis of the overall pretest and posttest score was conducted using a factorial ANOVA. No significant change in mindset was detected from the pretest (first week of orientation courses) to posttest (last week of orientation courses) based on exposure to whole-person learning. It was discovered through one-way ANOVA demographic analysis that Black first-generation learners had a significantly higher mindset mean score (7.1) than White first-generation learners. While it is still unknown if exposure to whole-person learning pre-disposes first-generation learners towards growth mindset, there was a positive implication in that Blacks appeared more pre-disposed to a journey of self-actualization when exposed to whole-person learning. The social change benefit for this implication is that an increased focus on affective learning may lead to higher success rates within academics, career, and personal satisfaction for Black first-generation learners. Future researchers should include faculty engagement with whole-person learning and the development of an instrument more conducive to measuring mindset for adult learners.