The fifth annual First-Generation Celebration kickoff summit will be held on November 3-4, 2023. The event is a campus-wide event to honor National First-generation day, which is November 8, 2023. You are identified as first-generation if your parent/guardian has not completed a bachelor’s degree.
The First-Gen Friday Pathways to Success Summit is an opportunity for the campus to celebrate and recognize the value of first-generation college students. “The focus is on providing an innovative experience to assist in closing the opportunity and access gap for first-generation students through providing knowledge that empowers out-of-box action and thinking,” said Dr. Shatoya Black, TRIO Project director/assistant director in University College. “We will focus on capital that gives us keys as steppingstones to how we identify success.” The event will provide a passport experience for students to discover and experience ISU innovatively connecting them to the college experience in a way that promotes retention and completion by empowering holistic success.
The two-day celebration is hosted by the TRIO program in University College. There is no cost to ISU students directly, but expenses will be paid through sponsorships. Students interested in attending must register on Redbird Life.
Highlights include:
November 3, 2023: Check in 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Discovering ISU Passport experience: Sneaker Ball at 7 p.m. hosted by The College Experience student organization. Kick off with first-generation ISU alumni and current ISU students who will speak on pathways that lead them to their individual success.
November 4, 2023: From 9 a.m.-12 p.m., there will be a major connection hands-on experience open to all who registered for the celebration. You do not have to be in the major to experience the opportunities each major is providing. Stay for the full experience to enter for your chance to win some great prizes.
ISU first-generation professionals and students can sign up to be a part of the listserv to stay connected to the community and future events, programs, and opportunities.
If you would like to donate to help sponsor the event, contributions can be made here.
For additional information, contact the TRIO staff at (309) 438-2099.
Special thank you to Presented by TRIO in partnership with University College, ISU EDI, Admissions, Career Services, Esports, Bowling and Billiards Center, Katie School of Insurance and Risk Management, ISU Police, School of Communication, Mennonite College of Nursing, College of Education, Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts, Department of Psychology, and School of Social Work.
