Council for Opportunity in Education

First-Generation College Celebration Day

First-Generation College Celebration Day advances an asset-based national narrative on first-generation student experiences and outcomes. Use November 8 to encourage communities to understand better the systemic barriers plaguing higher education and the support necessary for this critical and resilient population to continue thriving.

Join us in advancing an asset-based national narrative on first-generation student experiences and outcomes

In 2017, COE and the Center for First-generation Student Success launched the inaugural First-Generation College Celebration! Given the continued success of this event, COE and the Center now partner to make this celebration an annual event.

On November 8, we encourage colleges, universities, corporations, non-profits, and K-12 schools to celebrate the success of first-generation college students, faculty, staff, and alumni in every possible way. Get creative! In previous years, institutions and organizations have invited speakers and offered programming on first-generation student success, hosted lunch and learn events, kicked off mentoring programs, distributed first-gen swag, featured first-generation students on websites, and more! Consider building relationships with colleagues, involving leadership, and using Celebration Day as a galvanizing force across your institution or organization. If sharing information about your event on social platforms, tag @COEtalk, and @FirstgenCenter and use the #CelebrateFirstGen!

Event Planning Guide

TRIO Turns 60 Toolkit

Don’t miss out on the exclusive TRIO 60th Anniversary Commemorative Timeline

TRIO is turning 60, and we’re ready to celebrate in style! To help you plan your own First-Generation Celebration or anniversary event, we’re excited to introduce the TRIO Turns 60 & First-Generation Celebration Toolkit—packed with everything you need to create a truly memorable event.

  • Planning Worksheets to guide you step-by-step through organizing your event, setting goals, and tracking progress.
  • Budget Templates to help you manage costs efficiently and ensure your event stays on budget.
  • Sample Speaker Invitations that provide a professional and polished way to invite keynote speakers and special guests.
  • Evaluation Survey Templates to gather feedback from your attendees and measure the success of your event.
  • Sample Media Contact Lists to help you reach out to local journalists and media outlets, ensuring your celebration gets the coverage it deserves.
  • Volunteer Recruitment Guide with tips on how to engage and manage volunteers for a smooth event.
DOWNLOAD HERE

Take Action Today! Get our students registered to vote.

TRIO Professionals: Your Voice Matters—And So Does Theirs!

As a TRIO professional, you are dedicated to empowering students to reach their full potential. Now, let’s extend that empowerment to civic engagement! Voting is one of the most powerful ways to shape the future, and it all starts with registering. We invite you to join our campaign to ensure that every eligible TRIO participant—and you—are registered to vote. Completing this simple form will direct you to your local Secretary of State, Lieutenant Governor, or Department of Elections website, where you can register with ease. Register yourself and guide your of-age TRIO participants to complete the form. It’s a quick, impactful step that can make a world of difference. Let’s work together to ensure that our voices are heard loud and clear in the next election.

TAKE THE FIRST STEP HERE

Celebration Inspiration

Join Western Connecticut State University in celebrating First-Generation College Celebration Day!

As pioneers in recognizing the achievements of first-generation students, we invite you to embrace this important event on your campus. Every November, Western Connecticut State University (WCSU) unites with colleges nationwide to showcase the diverse experiences and accomplishments of first-generation students. At WCSU, these celebrations are vibrant and inclusive. Students, faculty, and administration come together to share personal stories and reflect on the profound impact of being first-generation college students. Through a variety of engaging activities, you too can highlight the resilience and determination of these trailblazers on campus. COE encourages you to create a similar web presence to promote First-Generation College Celebration Day activities at your institution each year.

Get inspired

Nationwide

We hope you are planning a celebration for 2024!

COE and the NASPA Center for First-generation Student Success would love for you to share the activities you have planned for National First-Generation College Celebration Day. This national celebration occurs every year on or around November 8 to acknowledge and elevate first-generation college student and alumni identities and contributions. As we continue to establish a national narrative on first-generation student experiences and outcomes, we request your help gathering information by sharing your efforts to engage your campus or local community. Your assistance is greatly appreciated.

Please do not forget to share your celebrations on social media platforms at @COEtalk and @FirstgenCenter and use #CelebrateFirstGen!

GET INSPIRED

COE appreciates the generosity of MasteryPrep and Strada Education Foundation for sponsoring the 2023 FGCC Grant Opportunity.

Ways to Participate

There are myriad ways to participate in the celebration — even virtually.

At many institutions, November 8 events have grown to week-long, or even month-long celebrations. For the past four years institutions across the nation celebrated first-generation students, faculty, and staff on November 8 and highlighted the important contributions made within those communities. From keynote speakers and brown bag lunches to launching awareness campaigns and new strategic plans, the opportunities for celebrations are endless.

  • Webinars featuring notable first-generation alumni and other speakers,
  •  Virtual panel discussions and forums featuring remarks by first-generation college students and faculty who were first-generation about their college experiences,
  •  Inclusion of first-generation faculty experiences into classroom discussions,
  •  Virtual listening sessions by administration and faculty about first-generation students’ experiences and needs on campus,
  •  Creation of multimedia materials (including video messages) of first-generation students for use in admissions and faculty development sessions,
  • Interviews with trustees, administrators, and faculty who are first-generation.
Resources for TRIO

Media Toolkit

Publicize your #CelebrateFirstGen plans using digital media

To support your institution’s #CelebrateFirstGen social promotion, we created this digital media toolkit. What is included?

  • The revamped First-Generation College Celebration logo: We welcome you to download and apply the logo to your shareable.
  • Social Shareable templates to use across social media: We included three different sizes and welcome you to update them with your school colors, logo, photo, and specific text.

When posting on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn, be sure to include #CelebrateFirstGen and tag @FirstgenCenter and @COETalk.

PUBLICIZE YOUR PLANS

GRANT OPPORTUNITY

Congratulations to the 2023 FGCC Grant Recipients!

Each year, we’re pleased to award grants to select NASPA- and COE-member institutions to aid them in reaching more first-generation college students or graduates; engaging more stakeholders; launching new first-gen-specific events or initiatives; and/or providing additional services around FGCC. Please join COE, the Center for First-Generation Student Success, and our sponsors, Strada Education Foundation and MasteryPrep, in congratulating the 53 outstanding recipients of the 2023 Grant Opportunity!

View Grant Recipients Here

Upcoming Events

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