Unpacking What Supports First-Gen Students to Completion

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By Sarah Lyman Kravits, LifeBound Director of Training and Certification | Oct 14, 2025

Coaching is Critical

As exploration of first-generation college students' experiences continues to develop over time, important details are emerging. "First generation students are certainly not a monolith," shares Sarah Nolan, lead author of the fourth of a series of Common App reports on the first-generation experience, notes in a recent Inside Higher Ed article entitled "Contextualizing Completion Gaps for First Generation Students." In other words, it isn't simply the fact of being first-generation that explains how these students progress; sub-factors have effects that create a more nuanced picture.

As the article notes, "first-generation students are twice as likely to leave college without a degree than their peers, even if they come from higher-income backgrounds and come to college academically prepared." Those two factors do increase the chances of completion for these students, but they are not enough. So what else is at play? The report shows that higher per-student spending makes some difference but that other likely factors include lack of knowledge of the hidden curriculum of expectations in higher ed, and "having the right resources at the right time on the pathway."

Cue academic coaches! As a coach, I love to see the eyes of a first-generation student light up with a new idea of what is causing an academic performance issue — one that doesn't concern native ability or drive to succeed. Coaching can illuminate salient elements of the hidden curriculum, introduce the concept and role of self-perception and internalized messaging, encourage early and frequent engagement with key resources, and more. Ask questions that help first-generation students thoughtfully unpack what is getting in the way. This can help them begin to remove those barriers, both external and internal, piece by piece.

Engage with a LifeBound training to enhance your ability to help first-generation students realize their potential and improve their completion rates.

LifeBound offers flexible and affordable coaching training for faculty, academic coaches, and staff, including:

3-Day Virtual Coaching: Next class - Nov 7, 14, 21
Self-Paced Coaching: Choose your own dates!
Coaching Certification: Spring, Summer, and Fall Cohorts

Explore which option is right for you at www.lifebound.com.

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Make 2025/2026 the Year Coaching Solves Higher Ed’s Toughest Challenges

Higher education is grappling with unprecedented challenges—rising mental health crises, the need for greater career readiness, and the unfortunate reality that many students struggle to secure meaningful employment or are let go shortly after starting. These issues affect not only individual students but also university outcomes like enrollment, retention, and long-term institutional success.

By equipping your staff with coaching training, you can help students build resilience, achieve meaningful employment, and address many challenges that universities face today. Allocate your budget toward LifeBound’s training options this year and plan ahead to ensure your institution is prepared to address these critical needs effectively. Let’s create a campus-wide culture of coaching and make an impact!

LifeBound offers multiple ways to train academic coaches, faculty, or staff:

3-Day Virtual Coaching Course

A dynamic, interactive course focused on practical coaching techniques.

November 7, 14, 21 - NEXT CLASS

December 11, 12, 15

Time: 3 days, 6 hours each

Format: Online

Cost: $1,500 per person. Contact us about group rates.

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Self-Paced Coaching Course for Academic, Personal, and Professional Success

A flexible, 15-hour program designed for those who want to deepen their skills at their own pace. The course dives deep into foundational and advanced coaching techniques as well as motivation, resilience, career readiness, cultural competence and coaching diverse student populations, and includes private sessions with a LifeBound Coach. Institutional packages are available for group training.

Choose Your Own Dates!

Time: 15 hours (self-paced), plus 3 hours with LifeBound Coach

Format: Online

Cost: $1,500 per person. If you’ve already completed the 1-Day or 3-Day program, email contact@lifebound.com to receive a discount code for $500 off the new Self-Paced Course. Contact us about group rates.

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LifeBound Certification Program

For coaches ready to take their skills to the next level, the LifeBound Certification Program offers an in-depth dive into advanced coaching practices and strategies, culminating in certification as a LifeBound Coach.

Spring, Summer, and Fall Cohorts

Format: Online or in-person as available

Cost: $5,000 per person

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Let’s make 2025/2026 a year of transformation for your institution and the students you serve!

Learn More at lifebound.com