Registration has closed for all 2026 courses
Stay tuned for more information about our 2027 courses. Have questions in the meantime? Contact us at fyeconf@mailbox.sc.edu for assistance.
About Our Courses
Our online courses are designed to be as close as possible to in-person instruction—providing attendees with the same content and opportunities to interact with classmates and the instructor—and are enhanced with pedagogy and teaching techniques that are uncommon or impractical in a traditional classroom format. These courses typically run between four and five weeks, with the majority of instruction occurring in an asynchronous environment. Asynchronous instruction is neither time-bound nor location-bound and does not require the simultaneous participation of all students and instructors. It uses tools such as email, threaded discussions/forums, listservs, and blogs. Participants will earn 1.5 continuing education units.
*The National Resource Center for The First-Year Experience and Students in Transition values open dialogue and respectful discourse. As such, the views of vendors, presenters, and participants during events, and courses may not be representative of those of the Center or the University of South Carolina.
Understanding and Advancing First-Generation Student Success in
Higher Education
October 5-30, 2026
Instructor: LaNaé Budden, Director of the First-Generation Center, University of South Carolina
Course Description:
More than half of undergraduates in the United States are first-generation college students. These trailblazers bring resilience, determination, cultural wealth, and fresh perspectives that strengthen and energize our campuses. At the same time, they often navigate complex academic, financial, and social landscapes without the built-in guidance of family experience. This course explores strategies for advancing first-generation college student success. Participants will examine the historical foundations of federal support programs, including the Higher Education Act of 1965 and TRIO, and explore how institutions define and serve first-generation students. Using an asset-based framework, the course addresses structural and cultural barriers, data-informed decision-making, targeted initiatives, and high-impact practices. The course concludes with practical strategies for faculty and staff advocacy, equipping participants to foster belonging and translate learning into actionable steps within their professional roles.
- Week One: Course overview and participant meet and greet - Wednesday, October 7 from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Eastern time zone). This live component of the online course is optional and will be recorded for participants who cannot attend.
Learning Outcomes:
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
- Explain the historical foundations of first-generation student support, including the Higher Education Act of 1965, the Council for Opportunity in Education, and TRIO programs.
- Define first-generation college students using multiple institutional frameworks and describe key demographic characteristics, intersectional identities, and strengths of this population.
- Apply an asset-based paradigm to analyze cultural and structural barriers that first-generation students may experience within higher education institutions.
- Interpret institutional data metrics (e.g., retention rates, graduation rates, credit hour completion) to assess student success and inform support strategies.
- Identify and evaluate targeted initiatives that support first-generation students from recruitment through graduation, including academic support programs, orientation models, living-learning communities, high-impact practices, and engagement by faculty, staff, and families/supporters.
Course Materials / Textbooks:
There is no required textbook. All readings will be included as PDF versions available through Blackboard or as links to publicly available sources.
About the Instructor:
Dr. LaNaé Budden is a proud first-generation college graduate and the inaugural Director of the First-Generation Center at the University of South Carolina. With more than 20 years of experience in higher education, she is deeply committed to ensuring first-generation students feel seen, supported, and empowered. She connects students with meaningful resources, builds campus partnerships, and leads initiatives that help students confidently navigate their path to graduation and beyond.
Dr. Budden has served in senior leadership roles including Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students and Director of Student Activities at Columbia College, as well as Program Advisor for Leadership Programs and Women’s Student Services at the University of South Carolina. She also serves as an executive board member for South Carolina Women in Higher Education and has taught as an adjunct professor in Columbia College's Higher Education and Administration Program.
She earned her degrees from Old Dominion University, Bowling Green State University, and Nova Southeastern University. Outside of work, she enjoys RVing with her family, playing basketball with her daughter, and volunteering in her community.