Graduate Student Research Symposium 2026

The purpose of this project is to understand the motivation of first-generation college students (FGCSs) of Filipino descent to attend the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa (UHM). The Filipino population in Hawai’i and the number of FGCSs at UHM continues to rise. Yet, there is limited research on this specific group. This study focuses on identifying the motivators that influence Filipino FGCSs UHM attendance, including those that are internal (e.g., personal interest) and external (e.g., family and community encouragement) . Internal and external motivators are key to understanding the importance of the connection between the Filipino culture and their motivations when it comes to the decision-making process in attending college. I will interview 5-10 Filipino FGCS undergraduates to understand what motivated them to attend college and UHM, in particular.