Daniel Allred, Utah Valley University
Approximately 30% of the students attending Utah Valley University (UVU) are first-generation college students, or first in their family to obtain a college education. Much of the literature on first-generation college students identifies the many roadblocks and challenges they face on their way to obtaining a college education. In our review of research on first-generation college students, we have yet to find literature that focuses on the parents and what it is like to be a parent of a first-generation college student, from the parents perspective. During this new experience for first-generation college students, both the parent and the student experience a change of culture, previously unconsidered opportunities, decisions, as well as a new set of emotions and financial obligations. This study’s purpose is to understand the lived experiences of parents of first-generation college students. The research method for this study is phenomenological where one-on-one qualitative interviews will be conducted with the parents who volunteer to participate in the study. Subjects are parents of Utah Valley University first-generation students who are preparing to graduate in less than 1 year allowing us to understand the experience parents went through as their children obtained access to, started, and succeeded while a student at UVU. It is anticipated that 30 parents will be interviewed and that data collection will stop when a saturation point is reached. Findings from this research will contribute to faculty, staff, and scholars working with first-generation college students to have an understanding of what these parents go through as they work with first-generation college students.