Parents of First-Generation College Students: What do they need to know?
Review of Capstone Project
My capstone project focuses on the parents of first-generation, marginalized future and current college students. My goal was to design, implement, and publish a website to help parents with the Rutgers University – Newark and Montclair State University college application and financial aid process. The information provided on the website would be in their native language, English and/or Spanish. The one-stop website would allow parents to be able to assist and mentor their children during and after the college application process.
Goals
I. Provide access for parents to be involved in their children’s college application process.
II. Make it easier for parents to know what steps their children need to take to attend a four-year university
III. Provide an accessible platform that allows parents to have most (if not all) of their questions answered without having
to call different departments of the university.
IV. Create and implement a needed tool for parents and students to use before and after entering college.
Outcomes
I. Parents will be able to have intermediate knowledge of the college application and state financial aid process.
II. Read with understanding in order to help their children apply to the university or financial aid.
III. Use the website to inform themselves and communicate their knowledge to their children; parents will be able to help
their children enroll in college, be up to date with datelines, and material/resources needed.
IV. Demonstrate knowledge of resources and programs available to first-generation students (i.e. Educational Opportunity
Fund program, McNair Program, etc.).
My capstone project focuses on the parents of first-generation, marginalized future and current college students. My goal was to design, implement, and publish a website to help parents with the Rutgers University – Newark and Montclair State University college application and financial aid process. The information provided on the website would be in their native language, English and/or Spanish. The one-stop website would allow parents to be able to assist and mentor their children during and after the college application process.
Goals
I. Provide access for parents to be involved in their children’s college application process.
II. Make it easier for parents to know what steps their children need to take to attend a four-year university
III. Provide an accessible platform that allows parents to have most (if not all) of their questions answered without having
to call different departments of the university.
IV. Create and implement a needed tool for parents and students to use before and after entering college.
Outcomes
I. Parents will be able to have intermediate knowledge of the college application and state financial aid process.
II. Read with understanding in order to help their children apply to the university or financial aid.
III. Use the website to inform themselves and communicate their knowledge to their children; parents will be able to help
their children enroll in college, be up to date with datelines, and material/resources needed.
IV. Demonstrate knowledge of resources and programs available to first-generation students (i.e. Educational Opportunity
Fund program, McNair Program, etc.).
Date |
Task |
Goal |
1/20/2018 - Present |
Build rapport with first-generation students |
More genuine information about difficulties during the application process (not having their parents there). |
1/27/2018 |
Interview first-generation students (information for the website) |
II |
2/10/2018 |
Record videos of students |
Will help demonstrate why this website is important and needed. |
2/11/2018 |
Update information on the website (video, pictures, layout, information gathered) |
III |
3/24/2018 |
Have a meeting with parents |
I |
3/24/2018 |
Record video of parents – show the information collected |
Will help demonstrate why this website is important and needed. Also, the information provided here is for parents and as such it is important to know their opinion/feelings about it. |
3/25/2018 |
Update information on the website after meeting with parents |
III |
4/07/2018 |
Record ONE WORD responses to: In one word what defines a first generation student? – Showcase (10+ students) |
Will give the website a personal/emotional touch. Create and implement a needed tool for parents and students to use before and after entering college. |
4/08/2018 |
Continue to add information on the website that might be missing or needs to be updated |
III |
4/21/2018 |
Make sure everything is translated (two – four languages) |
IV |
4/28/2018 |
Have a final meeting with parents and students to showcase the website |
IV |
4/29/2018 |
Add the final touches to the website (if any) |
- |
5/05/2018 |
Publish website |
I – II – III- IV |