First Generation Celebration Week

Did you know that more than a third of our registered student population here at SUNY Poly are first generation students? In SUNY (State University of New York) systems, a first-generation college student is typically defined as one whose parents or legal guardians did not complete a four-year college degree. This means neither parent earned a bachelor's degree. The FirstGen Forward Network comprises over 400 institutions, harnessing the potential of first-generation students and improving success outcomes.  This past spring, Matthew Fikes and Melissa Prest worked together to get SUNY Poly into the FirstGen Forward Network. Joining the network will help us strengthen and expand our outreach and assistance to our first gen population. The network will serve as an indispensable resource helping us to focus on data insights and share best practices. This will help us to cultivate and secure resources to help our first-generation students succeed in college and beyond.
 
This Fall we will be kicking off a First-Generation College Student Celebration Week the week of November 3rd through November 8th with November 8th being the nationally recognized First-Generation Day.
 
With all of this in mind we would like to put out a call to SUNY Poly's first generation students, faculty, and staff to get involved with SUNY Poly's First Gen Week of Celebration! 
 

SUNY Poly's First Gen Week of Celebration schedule of events:

Monday, November 3rd 12pm - 2pm, Multicultural Center,  First Gen Celebration Week Kick Off Coffee House
Description: Stop by the Multicultural Center in the Cayan Library to grab a cup of coffee and a pastry while you browse the First Gen Facts sheets strategically placed around the Multicultural Center.

Tuesday, November 4th 12pm - 2pm, SC MPR, First Gen Lunch and Learn Webinar
Description: Join us as we watch a webinar featuring first generation higher education practitioners as they share knowledge of best practices and their own experiences of being first gen. Build your own salad lunch will be provided.

Wednesday, November 5th 5pm - 6:30pm, SC MPR, First Gen Celebrity Triva w/Prizes
Description: Join us as we test our knowledge of first-generation celebrities. Prizes will be awarded to the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners of our Kahoot trivia contest.

Thursday, November 6th 12pm - 4pm, Multicultural Center, First Gen Campus Resources BINGO and Photo Booth
Description: Stop by the Multicultural Center in the Cayan Library to take a picture in our home-grown First-Generation Photo Booth. Pickup a "Campus Resources BINGO card", then head out and about around campus to fill up your card. Once your card is complete, you can return it to the Multicultural Center any time before 4pm in order to sign for a small prize.

First Generation Celebration Week (pdf)