UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — All members of the Penn State community, especially first-generation undergraduate and graduate students, are invited to participate in virtual and in-person events surrounding First-Generation Celebration Day on Tuesday, Nov. 8. This celebration recognizes first-generation college students — individuals who were, or will be, the first in their family to earn a baccalaureate degree — and their advocates.
With over a dozen events to be hosted virtually and in-person, the 2022 celebration will extend across the commonwealth and beyond. For the third consecutive year, the Student Success Center and First-Gen Advocates have teamed up to host the celebration at University Park, while also promoting a lengthy list of Celebration Day opportunities and programs happening across Penn State.
The schedule of the Student Success Center and First-Gen Advocates events is below. The full list of First-Generation Celebration Day events can be found on the Student Success Center website.
11 a.m. to 2 p.m. — HUB Takeover
Visit the HUB-Robeson Center for activities, prizes and information. Meet representatives from the Student Success Center, First-Gen Advocates and other student support offices; enjoy free food, a photo booth and DJ; and vie for a chance to win $75 in LionCash awards throughout the day.
7 p.m. — Virtual Moderated Panel: “First-Gen at Penn State and Beyond,” Viewing Party in 233A HUB
This panel will provide insight into how first-generation undergraduate students can make the most of their college experience and prepare for future transitions to graduate school, the workplace and more. While the panel will take place on Zoom, students are also invited to watch at the University Park campus in 233A HUB. Can’t attend in person or want to watch from another location? Look for other watch party locations or register here to join us virtually.
Moderator
Troy Turner, Class of 2023 College of the Liberal Arts
Undergraduate first-generation student
Panelists
Dr. Jarl Ahlkvist, College of the Liberal Arts
Assistant Teaching Professor of Sociology and Criminology
Noel Claudio, Class of 2014, College of Information Sciences and Technology
Technology industry strategy and operations specialist, Silicon Valley
Dr. Christa Hasenkopf, Class of 2003, Eberly College of Science
Penn State Board of Trustees member;
Director, Air Quality Life Index and Air Quality Programs, Energy Policy Institute, University of Chicago
Jenn Stubbs, Class of 2005, College of the Liberal Arts; Graduate Class of 2017, College of Education
Assistant Director, Recruiting and Employer Engagement, Penn State Career Services
Jessica Zarada
University Operations Recruiter, Amazon
8 p.m. — In-Person Networking Session, 233A HUB
This session will feature light refreshments and facilitated small group discussions related to the panel. Participants will have the opportunity to meet other members of the Penn State first-gen community and identify ways to get involved in first-gen advocacy.
Social Media Celebration
Read stories of success, resilience and growth from first-gen Penn Staters on the Student Success Center’s Twitter and Instagram accounts and First-Gen Advocates’ Instagram account, on and surrounding Nov. 8. (Follow #PSUFirstGen)
The Student Success Center is part of Penn State Undergraduate Education.