Binghamton University's First-Generation College Celebration
November 8

2023 First-Generation College Celebration

In honor of the National First-Gen College Celebration, on Wednesday, Nov. 8, BFirst--Binghamton University's first-generation mentoring network-- is hosting dinner and a networking event so first-gen students can connect with first-gen faculty, staff, administrators, and local alumni. This year, BFirst is partnering with the Fleishman Center for Career and Professional Development to offer first-gen students a pre-event, entitled "How to Network." Additionally, Network Dinner attendees will be shown Mentor Match, Binghamton University's online platform for alumni-to-student mentoring, where a "first-generation" identifier is in use. This event is made possible by generous support from the Division of Student Affairs and the Alumni Association. 

2022 First-Generation College Celebration

Unlike Binghamton University's last two years of week-long celebrations, this year, the BFirst Committee, is focusing all of its efforts on one main event to honor the National First-Generation College Celebration, with generous support from both the Division of Student Affairs and the Alumni Association.

On Wednesday, Nov. 9, from 5pm to 7pm, in Old Union Hall, BFirst will host its first-ever First-gen Networking Dinner, an in-person event designed to connect first-gen students with first-gen faculty, staff, graduate student, and alumni mentors! To further build community, warm welcome remarks will be provided by fellow first-gen, Provost Donald Hall. Over 100 first-gens are expected to attend!

2021 First-Generation College Celebration

Binghamton University's BFirst Network is hosting *another* week-long celebration!

BFirst is hosting a week of virtual and in-person programming, beginning Monday, 11/8, designed to connect, reflect, and build community through education and advocacy. The First-Gen Celebration Week kicks off with a Viewing Party of COE's Celebration Day Virtual Panel, so the campus community can see that first-gen is not just a "Binghamton thing" but instead is an identity being celebrated nationwide! Tuesday's event is a first-gen reflective journaling session, where participants will be given journaling prompts on the first-gen identity, lessons learned, and goals made, and guided to share these reflections with one another to build community and share insight. The week culminates with an event centered on educating university officials, faculty, and staff on the first-gen identity, via a student panel of first-gen voices, to build a network of first-gen advocates. Participants will receive FG Advocate decals to display on their office doors to show first-gens on campus how large their network of support and community is on campus.

For more details on each event, please click here.

To RSVP, please click here.

2020 First-Generation College Celebration

Binghamton University's BFirst Network is hosting a *week-long* celebration worthy of the mighty first-gen student!

In honor of this year's National First-Generation College Celebration Day on 11/8, BFirst is hosting a week of virtual programming, beginning Monday, 11/2, designed to connect, reflect, and build community. The First-Gen Celebration Week kicks off with "Pioneers, Underdogs, & Fighters: A First-Gen Panel Discussion," where a panel of first-gen faculty, staff, and alumni will gather to share stories and tried-and-true advice on navigating higher education as a first-gen college student. Tuesday's event provides last-minute guidance on voting, and a space for first-gen students to share their experience (many voting for the first time!). Wednesday's event is a first-gen reflective journaling session, where participants will be given journaling prompts on the first-gen identity, lessons learned, and goals made, and guided to share these reflections with one another. Thursday's event is a student-only virtual speed-friending event, run by BFirst's very own graduate students! These four events build up to BFirst's main event on Friday: the BFirst First-Gen Mentor Mixer, where first-gen students will have the chance to connect, virtually, with first-gen faculty, staff, and alumni mentors.

For more details on each event and to RSVP, please click here. Zoom links to join will only be provided to those who RSVP.

2019 First-Generation College Celebration

Binghamton University will celebrate National First-Generation College Day by launching BFirst, a mentoring network pairing first-generation students with first-generation faculty, staff, alumni and graduate student mentors. The kickoff event takes place from 1-3 p.m. Friday, Nov. 8, in the Old Champlain Atrium, Room 133, on campus.

First-generation faculty, administrators and students at Binghamton will tell their stories. Featured speakers include Associate Professor of Human Development Myra Sabir, Professor of Psychology Ann Merriwether, Assistant Vice President of Student Success Kelli Smith, and Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs and Interim Dean of Students Randall Edouard.

For the full story, click here

For the latest updates on this celebration, follow us on Twitter and Instagram, review our website; and use #BFirstN

 to show your support!