Friday, March 29th, 2024
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First Gen Week

This week of events is designed to shine a light on First Gen students.

Millersville University (MU) will join the nationwide movement to celebrate first generation college students, faculty, staff and alums. First-Generation Week at MU will take place starting Saturday, Nov. 2 and run until Friday, Nov. 8.

The inaugural participation will include activities such as a breakfast, wellness events and a Tri Alpha Celebration. On Saturday, Nov. 2 MU’s First Gen students and faculty will be honored at the football game. Breakfast will be provided for First Gen members on Monday, Nov. 4 from 7-11 a.m. in the SMC atrium. On Tuesday, Nov. 5, there will be prayer all day at the Millersville University Community Church. On Wednesday, Nov. 6 First Gen students will have access to a variety of wellness activities. Health Services will be providing free flu shots all day, there will be a CHEP wellness celebration from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. inside the Student Memorial Center (SMC) in front of the University Store. Students can attend a group deep-breathing exercise to help with stress session from 2:30-3:30 p.m. inside the SMC Group Exercise Room. From 2-3 p.m. MU Counseling services will provide a session on care and wellness in SMC room 118. On Thursday, Nov. 7 there will be a graduate school fair from 12-2 p.m. inside the SMC Multipurpose Room.

The week will also introduce a new honor society for first-generation students on campus. Thursday evening there will be a Tri Alpha celebration introducing the Alpha Alpha Alpha chapter to MU’s campus. Tri Alpha is an honor society that recognizes the academic achievements of first-generation college students. Students who have completed at least three full-time terms of study, come from a family where neither parent nor any legal guardian earned a bachelor’s degree and have an overall GPA of 3.2 are welcome to join.

First Gen week will conclude on Friday, Nov. 8 with a photo booth from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. inside the SMC Atrium.

The incentive to celebrate first-generation individuals began in November 2017 when the Council for Opportunity in Education partnered with the Center for First-Generation Student Success to launch the inaugural First-Generation College Celebration. Each year colleges and universities across the country are encouraged to celebrate the successes of first-generation students, faculty and staff.

Darlene Newman, director of Student Access and Support Services notes the importance of First Gen week for MU’s campus. “While this is our first year participating in First Generation Week, Millersville University has long been a supporter of first-generation college students and their educational journeys,” says Newman. “Many of our faculty and staff are also first-generation students. This week of events is designed to shine a light on these students and give them the support they need through resources and mentorship opportunities.”

More information about the week can be found by contacting Darlene Newman at darlene.newman@millersville.edu.

 

 

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