The First-Gen Student Support Summit is an annual, university-wide event that brings together Penn State faculty, staff, and advocates to explore strategies that support first-generation student success. The free event features research, practical tools, and opportunities to connect across campuses and roles.
2025 Summit Recap
The 2025 Summit embraced a flipped-classroom format, with pre-recorded lightning sessions available ahead of the event and a hybrid in-person/virtual gathering on March 27.
This year’s theme — From Insights to Action — focused on practical, ready-to-implement strategies. The day included a keynote from Dr. Sonja Ardoin, interactive roundtable discussions, and a networking happy hour to close out the event. The topics explored at the event included:
- Transforming Engagement for First-Gen Students of Color
- Fostering Inclusive Pathways for First-Gen STEM Students
- Preparing First-Generation Students for Content-Heavy Courses
- Building a Sense of Belonging for First-Gen Students
- And more!
All pre-recorded lightning sessions remain available to Penn State faculty and staff on the First-Gen Student Support Summit SharePoint site.
Check out some highlights from this year's in-person event, hosted at the Nittany Lion Inn:
