First-Gen Celebration Week 2024
(November 4 – November 8)

Join the University of Michigan and colleges across the United States as we celebrate the presence and experience of first-generation college students, faculty, and staff on campus!

Follow us on Instagram and tag #UMICH1stGen and #CelebrateFirstGen.

Register for First-Gen Week Events Here

Marketing Toolkit

Download and use the first-generation celebration branded backgrounds, social media graphics, printable signs, and logos to show your First-Gen pride during first-gen week (and all year long)!

Download the First-Gen Marketing Materials

Ways to Celebrate First-Gen Week

Celebrate as an Individual

Celebrate as an Individual

  • Use positive language to combat the use of deficit language surrounding first-generation college students.
  • Share your first-generation story or listen to the stories of others.
  • Educate yourself about the experiences of first generation college students and the research that relates to their college journey.
  • Facilitate listening sessions by administration, faculty, and staff about first-generation students’ experiences and needs on campus.
  • Wear the U of M First Gen Proud/Supporter button the day of the event.
  • Post a First Gen Proud/Supporter sign on your office door.
  • Connect with other first-gen students, faculty and staff
  • Acknowledge the first-generation students that you interact with and explain why we are celebrating this day (signing of the Higher Education Act of 1965).

Celebrate in the Classroom

Celebrate in the Classroom

  • Acknowledge that first-generation students may be in your class and explain why we are celebrating this day (signing of the Higher Education Act of 1965).
  • Host a panel discussion in your class featuring first-generation members of your campus community to discuss their college experiences.
  • Connect with other first-gen faculty and staff in your department or college.

Celebrate as a Department or Unit

Celebrate as a Department or Unit

  • Host a breakfast, luncheon, or snack break for first-generation students to celebrate their success. Invite first-generation leaders, faculty, and staff to attend. 
  • Partner with campus offices, bookstores, local eateries, and gas stations to add gift card raffles to your celebration events.
  • Host a campus event or rally featuring notable first-generation alumni, faculty, staff, students. Empower first-generation student leaders to get involved in planning or to emcee the event.
  • Host panel discussions or forums featuring first-generation members of your campus community to discuss their college experiences.
  • Coordinate a positive language campaign to combat the use of deficit language surrounding first-generation college students.
  • Distribution first-generation swag to promote your celebration events and continued opportunities.
  • Review your communications materials to see how first-generation students are welcomed and their stories highlighted
  • Use the #UMICH1stGen stories to share on social media
  • Host first-generation alumni networking and career development events.
  • Meet students where they are, literally! Set up stations in commuter student parking areas to offer breakfast-on-the-go or car winterization kits to students just to brighten their day and feel encouraged and encouraged.
  • Designate a campus athletics event as “first-generation” and recognize players, coaches, attendees who are first-generation. Offer a discount to attend.
  • Offer resume and interview workshops to offer tips on how to best frame first-generation status in the hiring process.
  • Send a letter or postcard home to the families of first-generation students to acknowledge the university’s support of their attendance and to highlight successes.
  • Train campus student leaders such as peer mentors, tour guides, and orientation staff on how your campus welcomes first-gen students.

Celebrate as a Student Organization or Group

Celebrate as a Student Organization or Group

  • Host a campus event or rally featuring notable first-generation alumni, faculty, staff, students. Empower first-generation student leaders to get involved in planning or to emcee the event.
  • Distribution first-generation swag to promote your celebration events and continued opportunities.
  • Use the #UMICH1stGen stories to share on social media
  • Ask students in groups to share their first gen stories
  • Host first-generation alumni networking and career development events.
  • Host a letter-writing campaign to remind state legislators, boards of trustees and state higher education agencies of the needs of first-generation college students.

Share Your Story

What has your experience been like as a first-gen at the University of Michigan? If you are an undergraduate student, graduate student, faculty, staff, or alumnus/alumna from the University of Michigan, you are welcome to share your story.

Share Your Story
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