Center for Student Success

F1RST Generation Week

A celebration of first-generation students, staff and faculty on campus and an acknowledgement of their acheivements, F1RST Generation Week offers opportunities for the F1RST at Oberlin community to connect and share their stories.  The events are created in partnership with departments across campus to increase awareness of the challenges first-generation students face and highlight the importance of familial, peer, and institutional support.

A group of first-generation students, staff and faculty on campus.

Oberlin College and Conservatory held it's inaugural F1RST Generation Week November 6 - 10, 2023, an expansion of it's annual First Generation College Celebration Day on November 8. Why expand the day to a full week of events? It's simple: first-generation students deserve the recognition. Being the first in a family to attend college is daunting and can come with a lot of hurdles - being successful in college is something to celebrate!

 

"F1RST Gen Week is not about the numbers - it's about supporting the trailblazers on this campus."

- Natalia Alvarado, '25

The inaugural F1RST Generation Week at Oberlin College and Conservatory was highly successful. The Center for Student Success earned a grant for the weeks events through NASPA's Center for First-Generation Student Success. A recap of the events is available for viewing on their website, or in the Oberlin Review. The celebration began with a kick-off breakfast in ObieXing (Price Hall), and events continued throughout the week with support from the Allen Memorial Art Museum, Career Exploration and Development, the Multicultural Resource Center, Student Leadership and Involvement and other campus partners. In addition to creating opportunities for community and campus exploration, Campus Safety hosted a bike giveaway for first-generation students who attended the weeks events. Check out the video to see the fun!