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K-State Today

November 2, 2020

K-State joins National First-generation Student Celebration with week of events

Submitted by Rebeca Paz

Join the Office of First-generation Students and several campus partners in celebrating K-State's first-generation community Nov. 6-12 during the National First-generation Student Celebration. First-generation students are those whose parents or guardians did not earn a four-year college degree and they comprise 27% of K-State’s undergraduate students. 

You may also download a Zoom background to use in your Zoom sessions during this week to help us celebrate our first-generation community. We have a graphic for first-gen students, graduates and first-gen allies at k-state.edu/firstgen.

The K-State community is invited to join the following events for National First-generation Student Celebration: 

  • Friday, Nov. 6, 1-2:30 p.m. —: Virtual First-Generation College Celebration. Hear a panel discussion about the history of the first-generation student definition, using an asset-based lens. Register via Qualtrics. We will send you an email with the Zoom address the day before the event.
  • Saturday, Nov. 7 — First-generation student-athletes recognition at the K-State vs. Oklahoma State football game, Bill Snyder Family Stadium, 3 p.m.
  • Sunday, Nov. 8 — National First-generation Student Day. Join us via Instagram @K-StateOFGS #FirstgenForward #CelebrateFirstGen.
  • Monday, Nov. 9, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. — Join us for a fun tie-dye and decorate mask activity on Bosco Student Plaza. Masks and supplies provided.
  • Monday, Nov. 9, and Tuesday, Nov. 10 — Breaking Barriers: First-gens in Tech 2020. Register online.
  • Monday, Nov. 9, and Tuesday, Nov. 10, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. — Stop by the K-State Student Union in front of the food court to pick up your "Proud to be first" T-shirt. 
  • Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2:30-3:30 p.m. — Join us for the next Mini Wildcat Dialogue, "Unpacking our First-generation Student and Military Student Identities." During this interactive session, a panel of first-generation students, traditional and nontraditional, will talk about their intersecting identities and will share their first-generation experiences at the university. The audience will have the opportunity to participate by asking questions and sharing their own stories. Register online. We will send you an email with the Zoom address the day before the event.
  • Wednesday, Nov. 11, noon to 1 p.m. — "Engaging and Supporting First-generation Students" in partnership with K-State First and the Teaching and Learning Center. Presenters include Greg Eiselein, professor of English and director of K-State First; Kiley Moody, managing director of scholar services; and Rebeca Paz, assistant director, Office of First-generation Students. See Zoom information. 
  • Thursday, Nov. 12 — Wildcat Experience Sessions for first-generation prospective students and their families. Please register online. English session at 4 p.m. and Spanish session at 7 p.m.

Thank you to the following departments for your collaboration and generous support: Academic Achievement Center, College of Agriculture, College of Business Administration, College of Health and Human Sciences, Department of Athletics, Department of Diversity and Multicultural Affairs, and Division of Biology.

For more information about the events or about the Office of First-generation Students please contact Rebeca Paz at rpaz@k-state.edu.