First-Gen Tommies: Suggested Books

Traces Alan Page’s path from growing up in a working-class family to becoming an NFL Hall of Famer and the first African American justice on the Minnesota Supreme Court. For first-generation college students, his story exemplifies perseverance, discipline, and the pursuit of excellence across multiple fields. Page’s journey underscores the value of education, integrity, and using one’s success to uplift others.

Offers an inspiring reflection on perseverance, identity, and self-discovery. For first-generation college students, her journey from modest beginnings to Princeton and Harvard Law underscores the power of education, resilience, and finding one’s voice in spaces where you may feel like an outsider. Her story encourages students to embrace their backgrounds as strengths rather than obstacles.

Recounts her journey from growing up in a strict, isolated household with no formal schooling to earning a Ph.D. from Cambridge University. For first-generation college students, her memoir powerfully illustrates the transformative impact of education and the courage required to challenge one’s upbringing and beliefs. Westover’s story speaks to the resilience and self-determination often needed to forge a new path through learning.

Examines the realities of growing up in a working-class family in rural Kansas and the systemic barriers that keep many families in cycles of poverty. For first-generation college students, Smarsh’s story offers a powerful reflection on class, ambition, and the pursuit of education as a path to opportunity. Her narrative underscores the tension between belonging and aspiration that many first-generation students experience.

Explores the challenges of growing up in a working-class Appalachian family and the cultural and economic barriers to upward mobility. For first-generation college students, Vance’s story highlights the struggles of navigating higher education while reconciling complex family dynamics and identity. His journey underscores the importance of resilience, mentorship, and the transformative potential of education.

Tells the story of her Hmong family’s journey from a refugee camp in Thailand to building a new life in the United States. For first-generation college students, Yang’s memoir highlights the challenges of navigating cultural identity, language barriers, and the pursuit of education as a means of honoring family sacrifice. Her story is a moving testament to perseverance, gratitude, and the power of education to bridge worlds.

Chronicles her rise from a modest upbringing in the Bronx to becoming the first Latina U.S. Supreme Court Justice. For first-generation college students, her memoir offers an inspiring account of determination, hard work, and the importance of mentors in overcoming social and economic barriers. Sotomayor’s story demonstrates how education and self-belief can open doors to extraordinary opportunities.

This collection explores social processes and meanings germane to the educational mobility of first-generation college students before and during their matriculation into higher education. The contributing scholars examine dynamics, policies, practices, and programs that inform college access and persistence for first generation students.

Argues that universities often misunderstand how a sense of belonging is fostered, mistakenly encouraging students to “find their place” through clubs and activities. Drawing on Durkheim, Nunn shows that belonging is offered by the community, not claimed by the individual—it requires being welcomed and valued by others. This insight explains why many institutional efforts to create belonging often fall short.

Provides an in-depth look at the experiences of First in Family (FiF) or first-generation students throughout their entire university journey, from pre-entry to graduation. Drawing on research with over 650 students across Australia and Europe, it highlights diverse perspectives, including those of mature students, parents, and learners of different genders. The book offers valuable insights for educators, students, and families seeking to better understand and support first-generation success in higher education.

Explores the experiences of aspiring first-generation Latinx college students, tracing their paths from middle school to adulthood. Through personal stories and national data, Nichols reveals the social, cultural, and systemic factors that shape educational success and college completion. Her work highlights what must change to make higher education a true pathway to social mobility for first-generation students.

Examines a four-year study on how first-generation college students use social media to ease their transition into university life and strengthen engagement. The research shows that maintaining online connections with family and friends, alongside campus involvement, supports students’ focus and integration into college. The authors provide practical strategies for universities to leverage social media to improve retention and success among first-generation students.

Explores the experiences of first-generation university students worldwide, highlighting the challenges and resilience of learners historically excluded from higher education due to racial, socio-economic, and linguistic factors. Drawing on culturally responsive and decolonized research across six countries, the book emphasizes student voices, identity, and intersectionality while examining both unique and shared aspects of their journeys. It offers insights for universities on how to better support these students and implications for practice and future research.