Advancing Student Equity and Success at FYE 2026

Seattle, WA – February 26, 2026 – MentorPRO was proud to participate in the 45th Annual Conference on The First-Year Experience (FYE 2026) in Seattle, where leaders in higher education gathered to explore innovative strategies for supporting first-year student success.

During the conference, Mia Lamont presented new research in a session titled “Centering Student Voice: Challenges Faced by First-Generation & MSI Students.” The presentation highlighted findings from a mixed-methods study designed to better understand how first-year students—particularly first-generation students and those attending Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs)—identify and prioritize the challenges they face during the transition to college.

Centering What Students Say Matters Most

Traditional research on college transition often relies on predefined survey categories. While informative, these approaches can overlook the nuance of students’ lived experiences. This study instead used open-ended responses and student-driven rankings to elevate the concerns students themselves consider most pressing.

Across 1,021 reported challenges from 182 students, several key themes emerged:

Financial challenges are highly prioritized.

When asked to rank their top concerns, students most frequently prioritized financial strain. This was especially pronounced among first-generation students and those attending MSIs. Even when financial challenges were not rated as the most severe, they were central to how students experienced their first year.

Mental health challenges are rated as most severe.

Concerns related to anxiety, depression, motivation, and concentration received the highest severity ratings overall. These findings reinforce growing evidence that mental health carries significant academic and functional impact and must be proactively integrated into student success strategies.

Challenges differ by institutional context and student background.

Patterns varied by institutional type (MSI vs. PWI), generational status, and class year—underscoring that student support strategies cannot be one-size-fits-all. Effective interventions must reflect institutional context and the diverse realities of today’s students.

Implications for Institutions

The findings presented at FYE 2026 reinforce several critical priorities for higher education leaders:

1. Financial strain is not peripheral—it is foundational to students’ lived experiences.
2. Mental health support must be proactive, embedded, and accessible.
3. Equity-driven practice begins by listening to students and aligning institutional supports with what they identify as most urgent.

At MentorPRO, we are committed to advancing student equity and success by leveraging research-driven insights, elevating student voice, and supporting institutions in building responsive, evidence-based mentoring strategies.

We are grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the national dialogue at FYE 2026 and to engage with scholars and practitioners dedicated to strengthening first-year student outcomes.

Learn more about how MentorPRO can advance equity in student success here