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An Initiative Of NASPA and The Suder Foundation

New York University's First-Generation College Celebration
November 8

2021 First-Generation College Celebration

The StudentLink Center is back this year with some educational, empowering, and engaging events to celebrate First-Generation College Student Day! On November 4th, they will post a recorded interview with April Thompson, Associate Director of Graduate Recruitment and Engagement, about applying for grad school, what to consider, and what to look out for in the application process. On November 8th, they will host a live Zoom watch party of the film First Generation (2011) followed by a short discussion to help inspire and empower students on their college journey. Immediately after the watch party on November 8th, they will post a Digital Escape Room that informs students of the resources and opportunities available at NYU. Through to November 11th, students who successfully “escape” can stop by the StudentLink Center for a prize!

2020 First-Generation College Celebration

In light of the pandemic, the StudentLink Center shifted to a virtual celebration in 2020. They held a three-day celebration which included BINGO, a resource fair, and a student panel discussion to not only talk about the first-generation experience with some of our students, but also how being a first-generation student intersects with the pandemic. 

2019 First-Generation College Celebration

In 2019, they held the SLC First-Gen Fair that included pizza, cotton candy, popcorn, games, and a photo booth. They also invited University offices, such as student success, career development, LGBTQ+, and study away, to the fair so that students can learn more about resources and opportunities at NYU. Students were given a "passport" to visit all the tables and at the end received a goodie bag including a t-shirt! To ensure that students who may not have been able to stop by the fair can still have access to the information, the StudentLink Center also went live with each of the University offices at the fair.

2018 First-Generation College Celebration
 
For the 2018 First-Generation College Celebration, the StudentLink Center at NYU is inviting first-generation students to submit words of encouragement, advice, or experience through a Google form. Through a social media series, the StudentLink Center will display the stories. 
 
On November 8, there will also be an event where first-generation students can write a postcard to folks who they feel have helped them in their academic career. Following the event, the StudentLink Center will send the postcards out for the students. 
 
The StudentLink Center is a comprehensive student services center that assists students with financial aid, registrar, bursar, international student services, and study away. Therefore, at the event, we will also provide students, based on their status (freshman, sophomore, etc.) information related to administrative tips that will help them in the future. For example, reminding freshman students that they will need to file the FAFSA each year and drop/add policy that they should know.
 
Next year, the plan is to grow more student service programs for first-generation students at NYU, with the hope that these efforts advance first-generation student success. 

For the latest updates on this celebration, follow NYU StudentLink on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, use #ProudtobeFirst and #SLCHasYourBack, and visit their website to show your support!

Related

Rear view of graduates in cap with purple tassel and gown at outside commencement ceremony
Who’s a ‘First-Gen’ Student? A New Look at a Complicated Question.

Researchers at the Common Application explore this question in a new brief on “first-gen” status.

The Chronicle of Higher Education / November 08, 2023
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Expanding Our Celebration of First-Generation Undergraduates

Danielle Gioia / November 30, 2023
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Whose degrees—and which degrees—matter for defining first-generation status?

Common App / November 2023