Digital Story – Leading First by Rachel Stockdale

Leading First is a digital story that profiles four first-generation college students who are in leadership positions in student organizations at George Mason University. Research related to first-generation students and leadership development shows that first-generation students are less likely than continuing-generation students to take on leadership roles on campus because they often have other demands on their time such as family obligations and off-campus jobs. I wanted to tell a different story as many first-generation students do take on campus leadership roles. The goal of this story is to show an asset-based approach toward the importance of first-generation students having leadership development opportunities in college and the way leadership experiences affect the overall college experience of first-generation college students.