UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — For the second consecutive year, Penn State will join colleges and universities across the nation in recognizing National First-Generation College Celebration, with various festivities which will kick off on Monday, Nov. 8, and run through Wednesday, Nov. 10. All members of the Penn State community, especially first-generation college students — individuals whose parents did not complete a baccalaureate degree — are invited to participate.
Penn State’s celebration will be led by the Student Success Center, which supports and promotes first-generation student success, and First Gen Advocates, a student organization that promotes advocacy, awareness and mentorship for first-generation undergraduate students.
“We look forward to this opportunity to celebrate Penn State’s first-generation students as pioneers and trailblazers, forging a new path for themselves and their families. This year’s celebration aims to enhance community amongst first-generation students while bringing a greater awareness to the many contributions that they bring to the University,” said Denise Poole, Penn State’s director of student success initiatives.
In anticipation of this year’s celebration, the Student Success Center and First Gen Advocates will be sharing stories of first-gen Penn Staters beginning Saturday, Nov. 6. The stories will be shared on the Student Success Center’s social media as well as the First Gen Advocates’ website, Instagram, Twitter and Facebook accounts.
All Penn State students, staff and faculty identifying as first-generation are welcome to share their first-generation story or offer advice for other first-generation Penn Staters. You may submit a quote, brief written story or video through this submission form.
Penn Staters are also invited to show their first-gen pride throughout the week by following and using the hashtags: #PSUFirstGen (to join the Penn State conversation) and #CelebrateFirstGen (to join the national conversation).
The week will feature several events designed to shine a light on the experiences of Penn State’s first-generation students, faculty, staff and alumni.
Monday, Nov. 8
Prizes and Giveaways in the HUB-Robeson Center, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Drop by for a chance to win prizes, including a drawing for a bookstore voucher! You can also meet the Student Success Center team and members of the First Gen Advocates (FGA) student organization and find out how to join Penn State’s first-gen community.
Keynote Speaker Eric Thomas, 6 p.m.
You won’t want to miss Eric Thomas, critically acclaimed author, world-renowned speaker, educator, and pastor, who has taken the world by storm with his creative, common-sense approach to living a successful, satisfying professional and personal life. His keynote will focus on building resilience and the importance of working through transitions and establishing interdependence for first-generation students. Read more about Eric Thomas at his website.
Tuesday, Nov. 9
Prizes and Giveaways in the HUB-Robeson Center, 1-4 p.m.
Swing by for more chances to win prizes and the opportunity to meet FGA’s leadership.
“Voices of the Penn State First-Gen Community,” 4:30-5:30 p.m.
This (virtual) community panel discussion will feature Penn State students, faculty, administrators and campus leaders who will share their experiences and personal journeys as first-generation college students as well as offer advice for current and future first-generation students.
Register here, join us via Zoom or come watch the panel with members of FGA in HUB Room 324.
Trivia Night, 6 p.m.
Join FGA for a fun evening of trivia! This hybrid event invites participation from undergraduate and graduate students from any Penn State campus, including World Campus. This event will commence following the viewing of the community panel. Join us in HUB Room 324.
Wednesday, Nov. 10
“We Are First-Gen: Bridging intersecting stories of the Penn State student experience,” 5-6 p.m.
This (virtual) all-student panel discussion will focus on intersectional identities in the first-generation student experience. The panel is co-hosted by the Office for Adult Learner Programs and Services and Veteran Affairs and facilitated by undergraduate student Ryan Becker. Panelists will share details of their journeys as first-generation college students at Penn State while addressing the impact and value of intersectionality. Register here, join us via Zoom or come watch the panel with members of FGA in HUB Room 322.
Student Networking Event, 6 p.m.
FGA will host a mixer following the viewing of the student panel. This hybrid event invites participation from undergraduate and graduate students from any Penn State campus, including World Campus. Join us in HUB Room 322.
In addition to the events listed above, numerous Commonwealth Campus and college events will be hosted throughout the week. The details regarding several of these events can be found on the Student Success Center website.
About National First-Generation College Celebration
National First-Generation College Celebration, recognized each year on Nov. 8, was established in 2017 by the Council for Opportunity in Education and the Center for First-generation Student Success to advance a national narrative on first-generation student experiences and outcomes, particularly the barriers facing this population and the supports necessary for first-generation students to thrive. Nov. 8 marks the anniversary of the signing of the Higher Education Act of 1965, which created a range of initiatives to expand access to higher education for low-income and first-generation students.
About the Student Success Center
The Student Success Center is the newest office within Penn State Undergraduate Education, the academic administrative unit that provides leadership and coordination for University-wide programs and initiatives in support of undergraduate teaching and learning at Penn State. The Student Success Center opened in 2019 and is located at 325 Boucke Building. The center supports undergraduate students and their advocates by contributing to a University-wide culture of care and assisting students as they strive toward academic goals and degree completion. Learn more about Undergraduate Education and the Student Success Center.
About First Gen Advocates
First Gen Advocates is a Penn State organization that offers professional and personal development, mentoring and mentorship opportunities, career pipelines, and social events to help first-generation undergraduate students persist to graduation. Students in First Gen Advocates provide feedback to offices such as the Diversity and Inclusion Office and Student Affairs about what first-generation students need in order to succeed. Learn more about the Diversity and Inclusion Office and Student Affairs.