University of San Diego's First-Generation College Celebration
November 8
2023 First-Generation College Celebration
The First-Gen Student Association (FGSA), First-Gen Action Team (FGAT), and various other campus partners at the University of San Diego will be celebrating our USD First-Gen community through a variety of programs and initiatives across campus! Different offices will host First-Gen programs between November 2-9, 2023
2019 First-Generation College Celebration
As this is the third year that the First-Generation Action Team at the University of San Diego will be celebrating the national First-Generation College Celebration!
Last year, the First Generation Action Team was formally recognized institutionalized committee on our campus, and this first year the University of San Diego is a designation First Forward institution, so USD is dedicated an entire week of celebration .
The First-Generation Action Team recently gathered for a retreat and designated one of its goals toward educating the campus community. Throughout the week, the First-Generation Action Team plans to:
- highlight key members of the campus and respected leaders who identify as first-generation students or graduates to display their stories throughout campus and over social media.
- create a “Top 10 tips for Supporting First-Generation Students” which will be distributed to faculty, staff, and administrators based on the research of Dr. Lisa Nunn, USD Associate Professor of Sociology, who recently published “ 33 Simple Strategies for Faculty: A Week-by-Week Resource for teaching First-Year and First-Generation Students.”
- market the Career Development Center’s “Major and Minors Career Fair” taking place in November 7, 2019.
- host a Tie Dye T-shirt making program for First-Generation students with staff members of the University’s Copley Library, as an opportunity to meet the staff and learn about important academic resources.
- collaborate with the newly formed First-Generation Student Association to have tables set up around campus allowing for students, faculty, staff, and administrators to write why they are proud to be First-Generation and take pictures with their messages.
- host the popular First-Generation Gathering & Dialogue for First-Generation Graduate, Law, Ph.D studentsThe Graduate with the Student Life office.
- partner with the United Front Multicultural Commons to host a dinner/dialogue for First-generation undergraduate students and community members.
2018 First-Generation College Celebration
In 2018, the University of San Diego (USD) participated in the second annual nationwide First-Generation College Celebration. The First-Generation Action Team formed a student outreach committee that consisted of USD students (undergraduate and graduate), staff, and faculty across campus. The committee was able to collaborate with various USD campus partners by hosting a variety of events and activities throughout the day on Thursday, November 8, 2018.
Programs included:
- An Open house sponsored by Fraternity and Sorority Life.
- Booth where students could take pictures with “I am First-Gen” signs and receive information from key campus resources
- United Front Multicultural Commons & Associated Students hosted a celebration and discussion about what it means to be a First-Gen Student at a predominantly White institution: https://www.sandiego.edu/torero-program-board/detail.php?_focus=69572
Also, we encouraged our USD community to celebrate the success of first-generation undergraduate and graduate students, faculty, and staff on our campus in any and every way possible.
Additionally, the Torero Programming Board, part of the Associated Student Government hosted a First-Generation Dialogue Series allowing tudents who identify as first-generation college students or allies of first-generation college students an opportunity to come together and support each other through discussion
2017 First-Generation College Celebration
2017 was the first year the University of San Diego participated in the nationwide First-Generation College Celebration. The goal for the day was to look at the different and potentially competing events happening on that date to encourage campus partners to support and collaborate in the efforts of engaging first-generation students. The First-Generation Action Team worked with students from the United Front Multicultural Center to set a booth where first-generation students created a poster sharing why they were “Proud to be First-Generation Students” and took picture with their own message. Coincidently, our Career Development Center hosted a meet in greet to encourage first-generation students to meet with Career Counselors and enjoy some food and snacks. Our Center for Health and Wellness Promotions dedicated their “ Wellness Wednesdays” program toward the national celebration efforts, inviting first-generation students to attend a session focused on finding a “Sense of Belonging” on campus.
