Stevens kicked off National First-Generation College Student Week on Monday, November 2, with an afternoon of food, games, giveaways, and opportunities for students to connect with other first-generation students.
First-Generation College Student Week recognizes the experiences and accomplishments of students who are the first in their families to pursue a college education. At Stevens, this celebration is closely connected to the First-Generation and/or Limited-Income (FLI) Network. Maryam Tobias, Assistant Director of First Generation and Limited Income (FLI) Network, helps support and guide the FLI Network by connecting students with resources, providing guidance, and helping create opportunities for first-generation and limited-income students at Stevens. Additionally, Liliana Delman, Director of Student Culture and Belonging, helps promote an inclusive and welcoming campus community where students from all backgrounds can find a sense of belonging.
The national celebration has a history beyond individual college campuses. The First-Generation College Celebration was established in 2017 through a partnership between FirstGen Forward and the Council for Opportunity in Education. Celebrated annually around November 8, the date marks the anniversary of the signing of the Higher Education Act of 1965. This legislation helped expand access to higher education through federal financial aid programs, creating additional opportunities for students from first-generation and limited-income backgrounds.
Stevens started the week by hosting a kickoff event in Babbio Atrium, giving students an opportunity to meet and connect with other members of the FLI community. Students who attended mingled and received mugs filled with candy, along with small rubber ducks that had the FLI logo on them. The FLI Network also features a table hosted by a representative from CareerSpring, an organization focused on helping first-generation students prepare for their careers. The representative shared information about CareerSpring’s resources, highlighting career paths, developing professional skills, building a network, receiving career advice, and applying for opportunities.
The kickoff marks the beginning of a week-long celebration running from November 2 through November 6. Each day features a different opportunity for students to participate. Upcoming Tuesday will feature a campus-wide scavenger hunt, followed by a resume workshop on Wednesday in collaboration with the Career Center. On Thursday, the FLI Student Union will host a game night, and Friday will close out the week with free haircuts and manicures for students.
