First-Generation Celebration Day • November 8, 2021 • Nationwide
On Monday, November 8, 2021, we encourage colleges and universities to celebrate the success of first-generation college students, faculty, and staff on your campus in any and every way possible. Consider how you can build relationships with colleagues, involve leadership, and use First-Generation Celebration Day as a galvanizing force across your campus community.
Join us in advancing an asset-based national narrative on first-generation student experiences and outcomes. Use November 8 to encourage campus communities to better understand the systemic barriers plaguing higher education and the supports necessary for this important and resilient population to continue thriving.
Celebration Day Panel |
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Monday, November 8 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. (ET) |
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COST • Free for Everyone! Get inspired by first-generation narratives of success and triumph. |
Lunch and Learn |
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Tuesday, November 9 2:00 p.m. - 2:45 p.m. (ET) |
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COST • Free for Everyone! To raise the profile of TRIO, invite faculty and administrators at your institution to your office for our broadcast, then host your own discussion in-person. |
Virtual Celebration Party |
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Tuesday, November 9 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. (ET) |
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COST • Free for Everyone! Here's a chance for your first-gen students to win prizes from COE! Sign them up then don't let them miss the party! Register your students all at once using the spreadsheet here. |
For a third year, the Council for Opportunity in Education, the Center for First-generation Student Success, and several sponsors support the First-Generation College Celebration Grant Opportunity! With the increased commitment, these funds will support 44 celebrations all aiming to raise awareness and celebrate the accomplishments of first-generation students, staff, and faculty.
To support the many ways that TRIO plan to participate in the First-Generation College Celebration, COE created a resource to help programs understand each TRIO project’s regulations describe three areas where supplies are allowable costs: supplies needed for project recordkeeping, supplies needed for project administration, and supplies needed for participant development, or delivering services to participants.
Communications efforts can and should involve multiple tactics that will help students identify other first-generation collegegoers on campus and boost support within the campus community. Use this template press release to share your planned activities with the media and use #CelebrateFirstGen to share messages across your social media networks.
There are myriad ways to participate in the celebration — even virtually.
For the past four years institutions from across the nation celebrated first-generation students, faculty, and staff on November 8 and highlighted the important contributions made within the campus communities. From keynote speakers and brown bag lunches to launching awareness campaigns and new strategic plans, the opportunities for celebrations are endless.
At many institutions, November 8 events have grown to week-long, or even month-long celebrations. We hope you are also planning a celebration for 2021!