The Journey Before Us: First-Generation Pathways from Middle School to College

by Laura Nichols

More students are enrolling in college than ever before in U.S. history. Yet, many never graduate. In The Journey Before Us , Laura Nichols examines why this is by sharing the experiences of aspiring first-generation college students as they move from middle-school to young adulthood. By following the educational trajectories and transitions of Latinx, mainly second-generation immigrant students and analyzing national data, Nichols explores the different paths that students take and the factors that make a difference. The interconnected role of schools, neighborhoods, policy, employment, advocates, identity, social class, and family reveal what must change to address the “college completion crisis.” Appropriate for anyone wanting to understand their own educational journey as well as students, teachers, counselors, school administrators, scholars, and policymakers,  The Journey Before Us  outlines what is needed so that education can once again be a means of social mobility for those who would be the first in their families to graduate from college.

Genres: Nonfiction, Education

190 pages, Paperback

Published January 17, 2020

Reviews

[Sean]

As a two-year college professor working primarily with first-generation students including many immigrants and students working to pay bills while in college, this book was very relevant to my work. It has several useful takeaways framed with a good deal of contractual data. The style has some academic repetitiveness to it to make sure each point is tied back to the overall theses and themes, which can take some wading through, but better to be too clear than not clear enough. I’ll be sharing key takeaways with my colleagues and using them in my work as a teacher and advisor.

[Kylie Miller · Rating 3 out of 5]

Been a while since I’ve read an academic book!

Overall interesting case study and analysis. However, it often felt repetitive and there were some chapters, particularly near the beginning, that didn’t seem to have clear and cohesive arguments/organization.

[T.K. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book overall. Nichols goes into the different pathways that are shaped by first-gen experiences, including the ones who do not make it to college and the challenges they encounter.