Archive: A physical or electronic place where public records or other historical documents are kept.
Asset-based framework: An educational approach that focuses on the strengths that students bring to the classroom.
Continuing-generation [student]: An undergraduate with at least one parent or guardian who has a bachelor’s degree or advanced degree(s).
Counter-narrative: A story or perspective that challenges a mainstream narrative or stereotype. It offers an alternative perspective, often told by those whose voices have been ignored or suppressed.
Deficit-based framework: An educational approach that focuses on students’ perceived deficiencies or disadvantages.
Egalitarian: Characterized by the principle that all people are equal and deserve the same rights, opportunities, and social status.
Epistemic justice: Fairness in how people’s ideas and experiences are valued. It means treating everyone as a reliable source of knowledge and information and giving their perspectives the respect they deserve.
First-generation [student]: At the University of Utah, a student is considered “first-generation” if their parent(s) or guardian(s) did not complete a Bachelor’s degree in the United States.
First-Generation Scholars: A specific support program at the University of Utah designed for first-generation students. It provides a community where students can access peer mentoring, specialized advising, and scholarship opportunities to help them succeed in college.
Framework: A basic structure or set of ideas used to look at a complex issue. It acts like a map that helps people to understand how different concepts (like fairness, identity, and power) fit together.
Intersectionality: The way of understanding how different parts of a person’s identity (such as race, gender, ability, and class) overlap to shape their unique life experiences.
Institutional record: The official collection of documents, data, and stories kept by an organization (like a university, hospital, or government). It provides insights into history, policies, and individual progress.
Institutional repository: A digital library or archive used by an organization (like a library or university) to collect, preserve, and share materials created by its members. It is a central place where research, papers, and projects are stored so they can be accessed by the public.
Lived expertise/experience: The first-hand knowledge and unique perspectives a person gains from living through specific events or situations. It recognizes that being an expert isn’t just about having a degree. It’s also about having personal, real-world experience.
Oral history: A method for gathering and preserving history through recorded interviews with people who have personal knowledge of past events. It focuses on the voices and memories of individuals, rather than just official documents or textbooks.
Testimonial justice: One form of epistemic justice. Fairness in how much we trust and believe a person when they share their knowledge or experiences.
TRIO: A group of federally funded programs designed to help students successfully navigate and finish their education. TRIO provides specialized support and resources to first-generation and low-income students.
