A FGLI Public Scholar Project is Now A Campus-Wide Phenomenon

Vanderbilt has seen a massive increase in first-generation, low-income (FGLI) students in the past few years: the number of Pell Grant-eligible students has increased from 14 percent of the incoming class in 2013 to 23 percent in 2023, and the percentage of first-generation students has increased from 6.1 percent of the incoming class in 2013 to 16.6 percent in 20 23. However, according to Forbes, this still lags behind the average for private, nonprofit four-year programs, which sits at 43 percent first-generation students.

Vanderbilt is seeking to increase these numbers further and has many programs for students seeking financial support: it is a “no-loan” institution (meaning it is much easier for a low-income students to graduate debt-free), Experience Vanderbilt provides up to $500 for student activities, students can apply for funds for new clothing through Commodore Closet, and FirstVU offers lots of wonderful programming. Even so, there are more than just financial challenges for FGLI students at this institution. Open Book Collective, a program started by a former Curb Center Public Scholar, plans to combat the isolation, mental health challenges, and lack of mentorship opportunities by seeding connections between FGLI undergraduate students, graduate students, and faculty.

Founder Kelly Ann Cunningham started the Open Book Collective during her time as a Public Scholar: she received a small grant, access to Curb Center space and materials, and training from a variety of artists and community leaders to support a public-facing, arts-based project. Kelly and her team of undergraduate interns from Vanderbilt, Tennessee Tech, and Nashville State Community College created a zine focused on FGLI efforts and ran several workshops focused on using creativity to build community.

At a Curb Center celebration of her cohort of Public Scholars, who were at the end of their grant period, Kelly ran into fellow FGLI graduate student Erica Scarpitti. They both felt that there was less explicit support at Vanderbilt for students like them. They both also had rough first years: as they state in their co-authored reflection on the project, it was “not the demanding workload, tight budget, or challenging classes that made it that way: it was loneliness.”

Erica Scarpitti (left) and Kelly Ann Cunningham (right)

The pair decided to expand Open Book Collective towards uniting the FGLI community. In addition to other initiatives (including creating a podcast series and FGLI resource guides funded by the Buchanan Fellowship), the Open Book Collective started implementing a unique mentorship structure: the pod. An undergraduate student, a graduate student, and a faculty member were grouped together. The pilot run of this structure involved thirty-three participants sorted into eleven pods. The pods were encouraged to meet throughout the school year and given programming (created by Kelly and Erica) and funding for their meetings. This unique, barrier-crossing structure that has already demonstrated significant impact.

Participants in the 2023-24 Mentorship Pilot Program

Feedback from these meetings was overwhelmingly positive. Some of the benefits were more material, such as faculty hiring or sponsoring shadowing opportunities for their mentees, while other feedback focused more on the benefit to mental state and their feelings of isolation. Here are some quotes from participants:

“It was so helpful to put faces with names and have the opportunity to get a coffee while discussing our experiences as FGLI in college. It was comforting seeing and hearing a grad student and professor that had a similar background as me, yet they overcame adversity and continued their education.” –Undergraduate student participant

“We discussed challenges with little things like being able to afford reliable transportation and how much some folks take that access for granted. However, the parts of the meeting that I like the most are when we then discuss the intersectionality of being FLGI and being women. It really feels wonderful to have a space to vent, discuss, and feel…” –Graduate student participant

“Both student mentees identified a lack of models they can lean on for advice and uncertainty about how to seek it out and/or develop networking relationships… it was productive for us to identify common ground in our different experiences.” –Faculty participant

This pod structure allows students to see versions of themselves overcoming struggles they used to face on their own. As the FGLI population at Vanderbilt increases, it is more important than ever to ensure these members of our community can bond and problem-solve together Open Book Collective is still hosting workshops and gatherings for FGLI students but paused this year’s pod mentorship groups despite abundant interest. This successful pilot program has grown beyond what graduate students can manage in their spare time; its next step is to identify an administrative support structure so it can positively impact Vanderbilt’s ever-growing population of FGLI students.

“Open Book Collective means a great deal to me,” says Erica, who now heads the program on her own. “Being a first-generation, low-income (FGLI) student doesn’t end after earning a bachelor’s degree. In academia, especially at institutions like Vanderbilt, the presence of FGLI individuals compared to those from continuing-generation backgrounds is remarkably small. Building an FGLI network where we can share transparent insights across career stages and foster a sense of community is invaluable. Personally, I have formed relationships with other FGLI undergrads, graduate students, and faculty through Open Book Collective who have offered me endless guidance and support. Without this community, my experience at Vanderbilt would be drastically different.”

You can find out more information about the Open Book Collective’s programing on their website and on their Instagram.