UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State will observe First-Generation Celebration Day on Nov. 8, joining colleges and universities across the U.S. in recognizing students who are or will be the first in their family to earn a baccalaureate degree.
The Student Success Center in Undergraduate Education continues to champion the first-gen celebration efforts of dozens of offices and organizations across the Commonwealth.
At the University Park campus, the Student Success Center and First-Gen Advocates will host events throughout the day in the HUB-Robeson Center. These events aim to bring awareness to the experiences of first-gen Penn Staters and recognize their unique contributions to the campus community. All are invited to participate and learn more about first-generation student success.
A full list of first-generation celebration programs and events can be found at success.psu.edu.
Events
HUB Party
11 a.m. to 3 p.m., HUB-Robeson Center lower level
Come and celebrate being first-generation at Penn State with food, activities, giveaways and prizes. There will be an opportunity to meet the Student Success Center team and members of the student organization First-Gen Advocates and find out how to support or join the University’s first-generation community.
First-Gen Community Night
6-8 p.m. HUB 008 (Lion’s Lair), HUB-Robeson Center
Join first-generation students, faculty, staff and alumni for a mixer with food, guest speakers, networking, resource-sharing and prizes. The event is sponsored by the Student Success Center, First-Gen Advocates, and the Paul Robeson Cultural Center.
VIP Speakers include Margo DelliCarpini, vice president for Commonwealth Campuses and executive chancellor; Clarence Lang, Susan Welch Dean of the College of the Liberal Arts and professor of African American Studies; Felisa Higgins, associate dean for Undergraduate Education and clinical professor of supply chain management, Smeal College of Business.
Attendees also will hear from the leadership of the event’s official partner organizations: Adult Learners at Penn State, Black Caucus, Latino Caucus, Lion Caucus and University Park Undergraduate Association.
Building a first-gen community at Penn State
The First-Gen Advocates (FGA) student organization is working to build a supportive community for first-generation Penn Staters through mentorship, events and initiatives like the College Ambassadors program.
Mickaela Gregory is vice president of involvement at FGA and a veterinary and biomedical sciences major in the College of Agricultural Sciences. She became interested in FGA after a study abroad trip to Costa Rica along with other first-generation college students. She later went to a First-Gen Advocates general meeting and was elected as an officer.
Gregory graduated from high school in 2020 and knew she wanted to pursue a college degree and be the first in her family to do so. She chose Penn State Beaver, which was close to her hometown of Hopewell, and came to the University Park campus through the 2+2 program.
The study abroad trip and connection with other first-generation students was an important part of her Penn State experience, she said. Her advice to other students, especially those who are first generation, was to find their social niche.
“I think the first semester for me was very tough because I didn't know anybody,” Gregory said. “And I felt very isolated. I went home every weekend. And that was until I got into my study abroad group and I made friends there.”
Gregory also is involved in Susquehanna Service Dogs and is currently raising a dog that will one day help someone in need.
“I found the place that I felt I belonged,” she said. “And now I love it up here (at University Park), because I have a community of people that I enjoy being around.”
She said FGA is looking forward to networking and socializing at the Nov. 8 events and hopefully give other students a sense of community.
“Student success is founded in strong relationships and fostering a sense of purpose,” said Denise Poole, director of Student Success Initiatives. “Making strong connections is the first step in helping students strive toward their goals and grow into strong leaders in their chosen professions. It all starts with creating a community and a place to feel supported. First-Gen Advocates unites a diverse subset of our student body and unifies them based on a common thread in their academic experience. It’s a great starting point for growth and future success.”
About the Student Success Center
The Student Success Center is part of Penn State Undergraduate Education. 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.
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.