Missouri’s assistant commissioner of higher education says we need to do a better job of helping college students succeed. Rusty Monhollan says many college freshmen are first-generation students without a family history of getting through university life.

Monhollan says Missouri lacks a “college-going culture” and that poses some special challenges. He also many students leave high school unprepared for the demands of college. Monhollan addressed a meeting of more than 100 members of governing boards at 23 Missouri post-secondary schools.