Reimagining the first-gen experience through the media we already love.

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First-Gen and Pop Culture? Say More!

Explore first-generation college student narratives through the lens of pop culture.

A collection of essays using film, TV, animation films, and music to reimagine success for first-generation college students.

Purchase the ebook from your favorite bookseller today!

Printed version coming soon!

About the Book

First-Gen & Juice: Exploring First-Generation College Student Narratives in Pop Culture and Mass Media is a one-of-a-kind anthology designed for anyone committed to supporting first-generation college students. The book explores how popular culture—from blockbuster films like Barbie to TV shows like All-American, Disney and Pixar’s Luca, K-pop, and superhero narratives—can be used as a powerful tool for student engagement and empowerment.

Unlike generalized takes on pop culture, the essays here are deep dives into specific practices. 

Each chapter includes:

  • Concrete examples and frameworks

  • Customizable assignments and discussion prompts

  • Workshop and program ideas you can adapt for your audience

Whether you're teaching a seminar, designing a summer bridge program, or facilitating a workshop in schools or on college campuses, this book provides a roadmap grounded in cultural relevance and student success.

Who is the Book for?

  • Educators who want real-world “how-to” tools to embed pop culture into curriculum

  • Student affairs professionals seeking engaging workshop ideas

  • Program directors crafting culturally relevant programming

  • Graduate students or instructors looking for new ways to connect with Gen Z and Gen Alpha learners

  • Anyone interested in integrating media that students already love into academic and identity-affirming spaces

Available in ebook format. Printed version available soon!

Sneak Peak: Chapter Highlights

  • Oppenheimer & the First-Gen Journey – Resilience, belonging, and academic struggle in STEM

  • Barbie & Self-Discovery – Social capital and confidence through leadership programming

  • Hollywood College Experience - Film and television depictions of the college experience

  • Superheroes & First-Year Writing – Using comic book narratives to teach identity, agency, and storytelling

  • Luca & Living Between Worlds – Navigating cultural expectations and building confidence in unfamiliar territory

  • CODA & The Arts – Accessibility, advocacy, and honoring lived experiences in creative fields

  • Pop Culture in the Classroom – Designing courses that center first-gen experiences through familiar media

  • Ironheart, Anime & Fandoms – Intersectional identity and joy as a form of resistance

  • All-American and Billy Baker – Family dynamics and identity for first-gen professionals

  • Fandom as Third Space – Exploring identity, belonging, and expression through K-pop fan communities and creative media

Authors

This project was created by a community of first-gen identified scholars, educators, and student affairs practitioners who are passionate about their own fandoms and also creating awareness and solidarity within the first-generation college student experience.

Editors: La’Tonya “LT” Rease Miles & Martha Enciso

Authors include: Brenda Bran, Ariela Canizal, Marcela G. Cuellar, Alejandra Delacruz Hong, Martha Enciso, Katie Fredline, Jennifer Henriquez, D’ric A. Jackson, Matt Newlin, La’Tonya “LT” Rease Miles, Rick Trevino, James K. Winfield, Kevin L. Wright

Publisher: My Tribe Media

Martha and La’Tonya, SSHE conference, 2019

What People are Saying

“If you’re seeking new, imaginative, and truly student‑centered ways to support first‑generation students, this book is a must‑read. Its contributing authors center the first‑gen experience through relatable examples drawn from across pop culture—offering programs, insights, and curriculum that are engaging and practical. If you are a professional working in higher education, you’ll walk away with new perspectives, actionable ideas, and maybe even a new list of movies, television shows, or books to absorb. And if you identify as a first‑gen student, prepare for a sense of recognition and connection as the stories and strategies resonate with your own journey. We’d all be so lucky to have had professionals who care so deeply about the success of the first-gen students.”

~ Emily T. Sandoval, Ed.D | Co-Founder GeekEd Collective

Stay Connected

Interested in using First Gen & Juice: Exploring first-gen college student narratives in pop culture and mass media for your class, program, or training? Send us an email at: fgpopculturebook@gmail.com

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