Are you or were you a first-generation college student? If so, you know that there are particular challenges relating to being the first in your family to achieve a higher education. College life, the lingo of academic degrees, graduation requirements, capstone internships. It’s all new to you and you need to know how to navigate it.

In 2023, universities can utilize social media to better connect with this unique demographic of college students.

Ester Gonzalez, a professor of Information Systems and Decision Sciences at Cal State Fullerton’s College of Business and Economics, was herself a first-generation student. Gonzalez’s first attempt at a college was Baylor University (her alma mater for graduate studies), where she initially failed. Then a few years later returned to her local community college before transferring to Our Lady of the Lake University in Texas, a private Roman Catholic university where she earned her bachelor’s in business administration.

“It took me a while to learn the ropes of being a college student,” she says when looking back at her undergrad experience. “Although I was an A+ high school student and graduated with honors, I had no one to guide me nor did I fully understand the rigorous process of admissions and what it meant to be a college student. As a result, I didn’t succeed at college life as a freshman. The lack of resources and knowledge can be a true hinderance for first gens and other underprivileged students because there is no one setting a path for them.”

Recognizing it is critical that colleges and universities be more aware and proactive to help these students acclimate to college life, Gonzalez is the author of “Social Inclusion: The Use of Social Media and the Impact On First-Generation College Students,” a new study appearing in the Journal for the Association of Information Systems.

Gonzalez summarizes her study:

Study Overview and Goals

My study is focused on enlightening higher ed institutions about the needs of first-generation college students and using the lens of technology affordances to investigate how social media can help facilitate social inclusion activities that will better serve the first-generation community.

I want to provide colleges and universities with a deeper understanding of the challenges these students face when treading through unfamiliar territory.

How does social media impact first-gen students?

Social media can serve as a medium to help first-generation students gain new knowledge, resources and a sense of community.

In my study, the results demonstrated that social media use afforded students with 1) greater interconnections with faculty, staff and peers; 2) inspiration when acquiring new resources and access to stimulating content; 3) insightfulness thru open communication and gaining new knowledge; and 4) intense comfort when using social media for hedonic purposes to relieve stress and clearing the mind. Overall, social media may provide the means that first gen students may find helpful to “find their way” in their new environment.

What are some ways schools can use their social media to better serve first-gen students or other historically underprivileged groups?

Colleges and universities can develop initiatives that encourage constant interactions among students, faculty and staff. Social media should not be seen solely as a medium to relate information. Social media is beyond “friending” others. Thus, institutions should purposely use it as a form of interactive communication and building trust in relationships. Doing so takes effort and time.

For example, social media could be integrated as a part of the orientation program. This may provide the initial connection that is needed by new and transfer students. Considering group pages or connecting students to other current students that are from their alma maters can create a sense of community and camaraderie from the very beginning. Yet, the key is to have continuous interactions and supportive networks.

Schools should identify the social media platform widely used by college students. Then develop outreach initiatives, conduct special invites to college-sponsored events, create meetings and provide platforms for peers with similar interests. Activities that go beyond the social media features.

Why is this study important?

I believe it is critical that we be more aware and be proactive as an institution to embrace communities that have “taken the plunge” to go to college. Many times, these students do not fully understand what it means to be in college nor what the expectations imposed on them will be. If students have taken the first step to go to college, then we should be providing a supportive and resourceful system that guides them without it being a “sink or swim” situation.