Join the National First-Generation College Celebration on November 8, 2020

In 2017, the Council for Opportunity for Education (COE), in partnership with the Center for First-Generation Student Success, an initiative of NASPA and The Suder Foundation, launched the First-Generation College Celebration. This national celebration occurs annually on November 8th to mark the anniversary of the signing of the 1965 Higher Education Act (HEA).

National First-Generation College Celebration

The First Generation Business Leaders tabling in PACCAR hall.

Every year, colleges around the country host panel discussions, networking events, social media campaigns, and more in celebration and recognition of their first-generation students. You are invited to use #CelebrateFirstGen across social platforms to join in the celebration on Sunday, November 8th, 2020.

As one of the staff advisers to the First Generation Business Leaders (FGBL) Registered Student Organization (RSO), I have the privilege of supporting student leaders as they bolster community and resources for first-generation college students at UW and the Foster School of Business.

FGBL was launched by Zoraida Valdovinos (‘19, Marketing) during the 2018-2019 academic year. Zoraida founded FGBL, “with the mission of empowering first-generation college students by giving them the resources and support to be successful.” Now in their third year as an official RSO, FGBL continues to expand the ways they empower first-generation college students, extending their reach beyond just the Foster School of Business.

As the only first-generation RSO on campus that is open to all UW students, FGBL aims to reach a wider student community every year. One way they plan to do that in the 2020-2021 Academic Year is by supporting UAA Advising and First-Year Programs as they launch the First Generation Success Series. Learn more about First Gen at UW here.

While FGBL has “Business” in the name, FGBL has always been by and for first-generation college students across campus, regardless of their major. The group meets every other week and meeting agendas vary depending on the week. For example, one week may be dedicated to a professional development topic, such as improving your networking skills, and the next week there will be no agenda beyond games and casual conversation, giving students a relaxing space to meet and be in community with one another. Get connected with FGBL and learn more about the RSO here.

Keep an eye on FGBL’s Instagram as they highlight their executive board and first-gen members leading up to the National First-Generation Celebration!

Leave a Reply