First-Generation National Day of Celebration – Nov. 8

On Nov. 8, colleges and universities are encouraged to celebrate the success of first-generation college students, faculty and staff on campuses in any and every way possible.

Institutions will hold programs on first-generation student success, host lunch-and-learn events, kick off mentoring programs, hand out first-gen swag, feature first-generation students on websites and more!

History

The concept of "first-generation" students was introduced into federal policy by the TRIO* community in 1980, during passage of the Higher Education Amendments to the Higher Education Act of 1965.

November 2017, the Council for Opportunity in Education's Board, in partnership with the Center for First-generation Student Success of NASPAStudent Affairs Administrators in Higher Education, asked college access and success professionals to join with TRIO programs across the country for the First Annual First-Generation College Celebration on November 8, 2017 — the Anniversary of the Higher Education Act.

In 2017, the Council for Opportunity in Education (COE) and the Center for First-generation Student Success launched the inaugural First-Generation College Celebration! Given the overwhelming success of this event, COE and the Center partnered to make this celebration an annual event. Institutions held speakers and programs on firstgeneration student success, hosted lunch and learn events, kicked off mentoring programs, handed out first-gen swag, featured first-generation students on websites, and more.

*The Federal TRIO Programs (TRIO) are Federal outreach and student services programs designed to identify and provide services for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds. TRIO includes eight programs targeted to serve and assist low-income individuals, first- generation college students, and individuals with disabilities to progress through the academic pipeline from middle school to postbaccalaureate programs.