JOIN US FOR THE CELEBRATION!
During the week of November 2 - 6, 2026, Penn State will join colleges and universities nationwide in recognizing the National First-Generation College Celebration. This week is dedicated to building community, raising awareness of the first-generation experience, and uplifting the voices of students, faculty, staff, and alumni who are the first in their immediate families to pursue a college degree.
WAYS TO PARTICIPATE:
We invite faculty, staff, alumni, and students to share their first-generation stories all year long! Your stories of success, resilience, and growth will be highlighted through the Penn State Chaiken Center for Student Success Instagram account (@psu_success).
Share Your First-Generation Story!
Recognize a First-Gen Trailblazer (student), First-Gen Champion (faculty/staff), or an Outstanding First-Gen Program (University Park)
We are proud to continue the First-Gen Recognition Awards, which honor the outstanding contributions of first-generation students, faculty, staff, and programs at Penn State. Nominations for 2026 have now closed. Award recipients will be recognized at First-Gen Community Night.
2026 Derek Thomson Sheely First-Generation Scholarship (University Park)
The Derek Thomson Sheely First-Generation Scholarship awards $1,800 to one outstanding undergraduate, first-generation student at the University Park campus who demonstrates leadership and a strong commitment or involvement within the first-generation community. Applications for 2026 have now closed. The scholarship recipient will be recognized at First-Gen Community Night.
Recognition of First-Gen students graduating in December.
First-Gen students at the University Park campus who are graduating in December 2026 will be recognized and celebrated at the First-Gen Community Night event.
Join us for one or more of the events:
SIGNATURE EVENTS AT UNIVIVERSITY PARK
HUB Takeover
Monday, November 2, 2026
11 a.m. to 2 p.m., HUB-Robeson Center
Celebrate being #PSUFirstGen with food, activities, giveaways, and prizes. There will be opportunities to meet members of the First-Gen Advocates (FGA) student organization and the Eta Psi chapter of Tri-Alpha honor society to find out how to support or join Penn State’s first-generation community. Also on hand will be representatives from different centers to share resources, events, and programs for first-gen students.
Tri-Alpha Induction Ceremony
Monday, November 2, 2026
5:30 p.m., Freeman Auditorium
Join the Eta Psi chapter of the Tri-Alpha First-Generation Honor Society as they induct their third class and recognize the accomplishments of first-gen scholars, faculty, staff, and alumni.
First-Generation Community Night
Wednesday, November 4, 2026
6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Heritage Hall
Join first-gen students, faculty, staff, and alumni for a mixer with free food, networking, first-gen recognition awards, and awesome door prizes.
EVENTS HAPPENING ACROSS THE PENN STATE COMMUNITY
Schreyer Institute for Teaching Excellence
Teaching First-Generation Students
Monday, November 2, 2026
12:15 p.m. on Zoom
First-generation colleges students bring valuable perspectives and experiences to our courses. At the same time, they may encounter challenges related to navigating academic expectations, accessing resources, and developing a sense of belonging within higher education. In this workshop, participants will explore the experiences of first-generation students and examine teaching practices that can support their success.
College of Earth and Mineral Sciences
Earth and Mineral Sciences First-Generation Student Celebration
Tuesday, November 3, 2026
1:00 - 3:00 p.m., Deike 116A
All members of the Earth and Mineral Sciences faculty, staff, post docs, graduate students, and undergraduate students who identify as a first-generation college student are welcome to come network and enjoy ice cream and hot chocolate in the EMS Community Room. Drop in and help us build community, raise awareness of the first-generation experience, and spend time with students, faculty, and staff who are, or will be, the first in their immediate families to complete a 4-year college degree.
College of the Liberal Arts Chaiken Center for Student Success
LinkedIn Warriors Workshop and Headshots
Tuesday, November 3, 2026
4:30 - 6:30 p.m., Liberal Arts Chaiken Center, 138 Sparks Building
This event helps first-generation students build their professional presence and feel more confident in navigating the professional world. Two Chaiken Center Peer Success Coaches will share tips on creating and improving LinkedIn profiles. Students will also have the opportunity to receive professional headshots for their LinkedIn or other professional platforms.
College of the Liberal Arts Chaiken Center for Student Success
First-Gen Gives Back
Thursday, November 5, 2026
4:30 - 6:30 p.m., Liberal Arts Chaiken Center, 138/139 Sparks Building
This event will feature different community service stations supporting various local community organizations. Students can participate by writing letters to soldiers, making dog toys, creating plastic yarn, and assembling Jared Boxes. Come together, make a difference, and celebrate the impact first-generation students can have in their communities.
Penn State Harrisburg National First-Gen Celebration
Friday, November 6, 2026
11:30 am, Morrison Gallery (Library 120) at Penn State Harrisburg
Join Penn State Harrisburg's National First-Gen Celebration and enjoy a collaboration of students, faculty, and staff building vision boards. The experience and knowledge that faculty and staff have to offer is extremely valuable to our first-generation college students as they navigate the higher education system.
College of Education
POP-up: First-Gen Edition
Friday, November 6, 2026
10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., Chambers Building Room 202
Stop by to grab popcorn, learn about first-gen resources, and make first-gen pennants!
Follow #PSUFirstGen on socials to stay up to date on all Celebration-related news and stories, and return to this page for updates on other events happening across the University!
