First-Generation Community College Students and Their Credential Attainment

First-generation students, defined as those who are the first in their family to seek a college credential, are more inclined to enroll in community colleges than their peers with college-educated parents, despite the wide range of sectors within higher education institutions. Nevertheless, a scarcity of information exists regarding their attainment of credentials. This study investigated first-generation community college students' pursuit of three credentials—certificates, associate degrees, and bachelor's degrees—through the lens of community cultural wealth theory. This study revealed the positive effects of peer and faculty interactions on earning credentials among first-generation community college students.