While finding people who care about them at CWU is vital for many first-generation and neo-traditional students, they’re also motivated by the people they care about back at home. Students often tell Stinson they’re making an investment in their family’s future. The current generation of students is particularly focused on giving back, he said. “I think for our first-gen and our neo-traditional students, it’s just amplified,” Stinson said. “They want to be role models. They want to go back to their high school and talk to the stu - dents about how you can go to college and you can achieve and succeed.” This can lead to a chain reaction. According to a 2021 Pew Research study, adults with parents who went to college are more likely to earn a bachelor’s degree themselves. For Jaeda Nelson, the potential to inspire her family led her to college and keeps her going. “More than anything, I just wanted to be able to start that legacy for my family,” she said. “To have them also experience with me what college looks like. For my nephews and my little cousins to think like, ‘Oh my gosh, my big cousin Jaeda is doing this thing no one’s done yet. What is that going to turn into?’” 60% women 18% Black or African American 25% Hispanic or Latinx
Alejandra Cruz-Martinez (’22)
More than half of American college students are first-generation.
30% have dependents
28% age 30 or older
5% veterans
STUDENTS ARE CONSIDERED FIRST-GENERATION IF THEIR PARENTS DO NOT HAVE A BACHELORS DEGREE. SOURCE: CENTER FOR FIRST-GENERATION STUDENT SUCCESS, 2019.
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