This dissertation is an analysis of the resilience of first-year college students at two public colleges. The 185 first-year college student participants in this study attend either a Community College or four-year University in the state of Pennsylvania. The study is a nonparametric correlation style, quantitative analysis of Conner’s 1992 resilience model and seven student characteristics. Conner’s model is constructed from five components: positive, focused, flexible, organized and proactive. Each of these constructs was analyzed with seven student characteristics further subcategorized as inherent or variable characteristics. The inherent student characteristics include: students' generation status, socioeconomic status and ethnicity. Student's variable characteristics were identified as: degree aspiration, college residence, college G.P.A. and institution attended. Six areas of significance were found utilizing a chi-square and Cramer's V analysis. With significance found in three student characteristics, the flexible resilience construct is the most noteworthy as a result of this study. The organized construct yielded two areas of significance when analyzed and the focused construct yielded one area of significance. The use of this data to support first-year college students, additional implications for educators and recommendations for further study are provided.