Upcoming Session

Beyond the Bachelor's Degree: Supporting First-Generation Students Through Graduate School and Beyond

Wednesday, February 5, 2025
2pm Eastern (11am Pacific | 12pm Mountain | 1pm Central)
Register: 

Description: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Cu17cCNtT4qpvkuGW7g_uw

First-generation students (FGS) are a growing but understudied and underserved group in academia. FGS may face challenges when it comes to navigating systems that assume prior knowledge of academic jargon, structures, and environments. The study of FGS has increased in library and information science, often focusing on undergraduate FGS through targeted outreach, services, and programs. However, the potential role that academic libraries can play in supporting first-generation students throughout their academic careers has not been fully explored. While most research has been at the undergraduate level, our research shows that challenges for first-generation students exist not only for undergraduates but persist for those pursuing advanced degrees. Substantially less is known about the needs of graduate FGS, either as academic library users or as students in an LIS graduate program.

In this session, participants will gain a better understanding of who FGS are, how academic libraries and LIS programs can support FGS throughout their entire academic careers, and the current challenges and opportunities for researchers interested in studying this population.

About the Presenters:

Rebecca Stallworth is an assistant professor in the School of Library and Information Science at Simmons University. She has a PhD in Communication and Information from the University of Tennessee. Her research focuses on marginalized groups, their use of academic library resources, and first-generation students.

Danielle Maurici-Pollock is an assistant professor and research data specialist at the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Library and Informatics Center. She has a PhD in Communication and Information from the University of Tennessee. Along with Dr. Stallworth, she has been examining first-generation students’ information-seeking in their paths to and through graduate education.

1. Go to registration page:   https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Cu17cCNtT4qpvkuGW7g_uw
2. Complete and submit the form.
3. A URL for the event will be emailed to you immediately after registration.