First-Gen Student Support Summit

2025 First-Gen Student Support Summit

Save the date for the 2025 First-Gen Student Support Summit on Thursday, March 27, 2025! The Summit will engage the Penn State community through a flipped-classroom approach with asynchronous, pre-recorded "lightning" sessions, an in-person and live-streamed keynote speaker, and zoom and in-person roundtable discussions. 

Theme & Agenda

The 2025 Summit Theme, "From Insights to Action," builds upon the past Summits' insights to emphasize actionable, ready-to-implement strategies for professionals, addressing the growing demand for tangible tools to improve first-gen student success across Penn State. 

The call for proposals is now open! Staff and faculty with promising practices to share are encouraged to propose a lightning session. Presentation proposals will be accepted through January 31, 2025. Proposals will be reviewed by members of the First-Gen Advisory Council, and presenters will be notified of decisions by February 14, 2025. 

Submit a Summit presentation proposal by January 1, 2025!

To align with this year’s theme, “From Insights to Action,” we encourage presentations that emphasize actionable takeaways and practical strategies. Suggested topics include, but are not limited to: 

  • First-Generation Program Design: Innovative approaches to creating or enhancing programs for first-gen students.
  • Advising Strategies: Effective methods for supporting first-gen students in academic, career, or personal advising.
  • Inclusive Pedagogy: Teaching techniques that promote success for first-gen learners in the classroom.
  • Engagement Practices: Strategies for fostering a sense of belonging and community among first-gen students.
  • Collaboration and Partnerships: Examples of cross-departmental or cross-campus initiatives that support first-gen success.
  • Data-Informed Practices: How to use data to identify and address challenges faced by first-gen students.

Presenters are welcome to submit proposals outside these suggested areas as long as they fit the theme and focus on actionable outcomes for attendees.