Davis & Elkins College has been selected for inclusion in the latest edition of “I’m First! Guide to College.” The annual guidebook is published by Strive for College, a national student mentoring nonprofit organization.

“I’m First! Guide to College” is designed uniquely to help low-income, first-generation students make college a reality. In addition to the book, students can explore resources on the website imfirst.org. Davis & Elkins College is among higher learning institutions that partner with Strive for College to provide support and encouragement to first-generation students.

Students who are the first in their family to pursue higher education or come from a low-income household continue to be severely underrepresented on college campuses, despite high educational aspirations.

The U.S. Department of Education’s Institute of Education Sciences found that while over 80 percent of first-generation college students have expectations for college in 10th grade, only 20 percent will earn a bachelor’s degree by the age of 25.

Davis & Elkins College is working to reverse that trend by providing guidance to low-income and first-generation students. Strive for College has recognized those efforts with an award of excellence in its “Strive Five” distinctions of inclusion, diversity, affordability and outcomes.

Strive for College’s “Strive Five” distinctions – inclusion, diversity, affordability, competition and outcomes – are a set of data-based measures of actual performance in five key areas that demonstrate a tangible commitment to students from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds.

Learn more about Strive for College and purchase the “I’m First! Guide to College” at http://store.imfirst.org.