Advocating for First-Generation Student Success

Matt Daily, assistant vice president and dean of students at Idaho State University, is making national waves in the conversation about supporting first-generation college students. He recently co-edited a new book, How First-Generation Students Navigate Higher Education Through an Embrace of Their Multiple Identities (Routledge, 2025), alongside University of Portland professors SimonMary Asese Aihiokhai and Layla Garrigues.

The first of three planned volumes, the book blends scholarly research and personal narratives to explore how first-generation students draw on their multiple identities—such as race, class, gender, and cultural background—to succeed in higher education. Rather than focusing on perceived deficits, the work celebrates the unique strengths these students bring, such as perseverance, adaptability, and the ability to navigate multiple worlds.

Matt’s contribution centers on shifting the national discourse from “What do first-gen students lack?” to “What do they contribute?” He emphasizes that first-gen identity is a hidden strength, one worth naming, celebrating, and sharing. The book also offers practical guidance for colleges and universities, highlighting successful programs and encouraging sustainable, institution-wide support.

Congratulations for this significant achievement and for representing ISU on a national stage. Daily's work continues to inspire ISU's commitment to empowering every student to thrive. Read the full article published in Inside Higher Education.