University of Missouri–Kansas City's First-Generation College Celebration
November 8

2021 First-Generation College Celebration

First Gen Roo will be hosting their third annual National First Generation College Student Celebration on Monday, November 8th. The program is excited to celebrate and honor UMKC's First Generation College Students, reminding them that they have allies cheering them on in their success and standing by to support them in times of struggle.

The First Gen Roo Scholars Pinning Ceremony will take place on Sunday, November 8th. First Gen Roo Scholars will be recognized for their successful completion of the First Gen Roo Scholars Program.

On Monday, November 8th, we will start out the day with a first-generation college student campus resource fair, first gen swag giveaways and a photo booth. In the afternoon, First Gen Roo Scholar Peer Mentors will be hosting three interactive workshops on networking, imposter phenomenon, and undergraduate research.

We will also be highlighting our First Gen Roos on our Instagram all week long! 

2020 First-Generation College Celebration

The University of Missouri–Kansas City (UMKC) held First-Generation Celebration Week from November 5th to November 12th. Featured activities included a First-Gen Proud Identity Wall (students were invited to post their reasons for being first-gen proud, pick up first-generation swag, and enter a drawing for a tuition waver), social media highlights of first-gen students and staff across many departments throughout the week, and a pre-conference panel, "How to Check Imposter Syndrome at the Door," to help prepare first-gen students for participation in a University-wide conference. The Identity Wall was also used to gather names of first-gen students and first-gen supporters, so that UMKC can continue to grow first-generation programming. UMKC is first-gen proud all year long!

2019 First-Generation College Celebration

In 2019, UMKC participated in National First-Generation College Student Celebration Day, holding an on-campus event with over 100 attendees including students, faculty, and staff.