Abstract
First-generation college students, especially those from low-income communities, struggle with what appear to be insurmountable barriers to graduation and a successful career in the digital arts: food insecurity, housing insecurity, lack of transportation, lack of technology, lack of family support, and a myriad of other challenges can lead to low retention and completion rate. With the financial, technological, and social/emotional support of their institutions and individual faculty, these same students have the potential to go on to successful, full-time careers in digital media and animation. I share my experiences with helping to develop the curriculum, culture, and digital facilities for the BFA in Animation Program at Villa Maria College, in Buffalo, New York. The program, which began in fall 2008, went on to be the largest program in the college with the highest retention rate.
Presenters
Sarah GalassoAssociate Professor, Digital Media Arts, Director of the Concentration in Game Design, Canisius College, New York, United States
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
EDUCATION, CAREER, DIGITAL MEDIA, FIRST-GENERATION, MINORITY STUDENTS, BARRIERS, TECHNOLOGY, SUCCESS
