7th Annual 1st Gen Celebration Week 2025

Join us as we kick off First-Generation Celebration Week with an inspiring panel conversation featuring first-gen students, faculty, staff, and administrators. Together, we will explore what it truly means to be first-generation—sharing personal stories, challenges, successes, and the powerful strengths that first-gen individuals bring to our campus community. Light refreshments will be provided.

Celebrate First-Generation Week with us this Wednesday! Stop by our table to meet members of the First-Gen Committee, connect with fellow first-gen students, and learn more about the resources and opportunities available on campus to help you thrive. Students will have the opportunity to decorate their own coffee cup to showcase their personal style, goals for the future, and first-gen pride! Enjoy a fun activity, engage in great conversations, and take the opportunity to build community in a welcoming and supportive environment designed to celebrate the achievements and experiences of first-generation students!

Join us on Wednesday, November 5th from 5–7 PM at the Village Café for a lively evening of rhythm and connection! Celebrate culture through movement with a Bachata dance lesson—no experience needed. Come dance, learn, and vibe with the First Gen community in a welcoming, fun-filled atmosphere.

Join us for a powerful panel discussion featuring students, faculty, and staff who participated in a transformative study abroad experience this summer, exploring Holocaust history in Poland and Germany. This immersive program took participants to sites of memory, resistance, and reflection—engaging directly with the legacy of one of history’s darkest chapters.

In an era marked by rising hate crimes, racism, xenophobia, and antisemitism, the lessons of the Holocaust are more urgent than ever. As we approach a time when survivors can no longer share their stories firsthand, it becomes our collective responsibility to carry their testimonies forward. This panel will highlight how international education can deepen understanding, foster empathy, and empower the next generation of educators and changemakers to confront injustice and defend democracy.
• Hear firsthand accounts from those who walked the grounds of Auschwitz and grappled with the moral and civic implications of Holocaust remembrance.
• Learn how studying abroad can be a catalyst for personal growth, global awareness, and social responsibility.

Panel Participants:
Faculty: Sebastian Sclofsky
Students: Hannah Skonovd, Will Haskett, Sylvia Corchado
Staff: Lissett De La Cruz

This event is open to all—students considering studying abroad, educators, and community members committed to learning from the past to shape a more just future.

Coffee & snacks provided!

The transition from student to professional can be difficult if you don’t already have a support network. Join us to learn about potential barriers and strategies to address concerns as you transition from college to career.

Join us in honoring First-Generation Students with a festive brunch event! This is a special opportunity to celebrate the achievements and resilience of first-gen students, faculty, and staff.

What to Expect:
• Delicious brunch and refreshments
• A chance to connect and mingle with fellow first-gen community members
• An inspiring keynote by Dr. Diane Nevarez, motivational speaker and advocate for first-gen success

Whether you're a first-gen student, faculty, staff, or ally—come grab a bite, share stories, and celebrate the journey. Let’s uplift and empower the first-gen experience together!