University of Wisconsin-Stout's First-Generation College Celebration
November 8

2023 First-Generation College Celebration

As part of a cross-campus collaboration, the University of Wisconsin-Stout will host its seventh annual First-Generation College Celebration (FGCC) on November 8th, 2023 in accordance with the national celebration. UW-Stout has a growing first-generation student body, with 32% of the student population identifying as first-generation in the fall 2022 academic semester. To celebrate, TRIO Student Support Services, McNair Scholars Program, Multicultural Student Services, Marketing and Communications, and the Involvement Center are organizing the event. The 2023 FGCC theme is Growth. The program components will include:

• a workshop by a non-profit organization, Power of Perception;
• a food truck for a lunch and learn on financial literacy;
• plant potting station;
• a Strange World movie showing; and
• self-reflective games and activities.

These program components will foster an environment of personal growth, reflection, awareness, and connection. With intersectionality of identities in mind, Marketing Communications will use social media platforms to elevate the stories of first-generation identities and experiences of the students, staff, and faculty. This is to advance the narrative of the successes this population brings to the Stout community. With these intentional efforts, UW-Stout will create an inclusive space to uplift and value the unique strengths, experiences, and knowledge that our first-generation identities contribute to the StoutProud community.  

2021 First-Generation College Celebration

To celebrate the diverse experiences of our first-generation students, the Stout TRIO programs (Student Support Services and the McNair Scholars Program), Marketing and Communications, and the Involvement Center will organize the event to include a first-generation speaker, a career readiness workshop facilitated by Career Services, a staff/faculty networking session, and a panel discussion. These activities will capture the broad perspectives of our students, staff, and faculty on campus as well as the growth and lifelong presence of the first-generation identity as one progresses from their undergraduate career into the workforce. Other activities will include a social media campaign to highlight the diverse stories and interactive and engaging activities in the student center. 

2020 First-Generation College Celebration

For 2020, the University of Wisconsin-Stout (UW-Stout) plans to continue the tradition of celebrating first-generation students, staff, and faculty by holding a virtual panel discussion open to the campus community. In addition, there will be an all-day Instagram takeover of first-generation stories.

Previous First-Generation College Celebrations

UW-Stout has participated in the National First-Generation Celebration since its inception in 2017. Student Support Services, the McNair Scholars Office, the Associate Dean of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, SPEAK UP, the Involvement Center, and Marketing Communications have joined efforts in making the celebration a cross-campus collaboration to recognize the achievements of our first-generation college students, staff, and faculty. In previous years, the efforts involved a full-day event of reflective activities to share the varied first-generation experiences of individuals from diverse backgrounds.