I AM FIRST Week of Celebration
Nov. 4-8 is I AM FIRST Week at Kent State! 2024 I AM FIRST events will be posted in October! Throughout the week, we will have a number of programs celebrating students who will be the first in their family to earn a bachelor's degree. In addition to recognizing first-generation students, we will celebrate staff, faculty, and advocates for their accomplishments and support of the First-generation student journey. During the I AM FIRST award's ceremony, participants can sign the I AM FIRST promise banner and hear First-generation student testimonials. Dr. Yvonna Washington-Greer, Assistant Vice President in the Division of Student Life, will serve as the 2024 keynote speaker. To learn more about Dr. Washington-Greer, click the link below.
Learn More about Dr. Washington-Greer
Kent Campus Events
Monday
| Program Name | Description | Date | Time | Location | Contact Person | Contact Email | Audience |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Playful Pedagogy for First Gen Students | Discover how incorporating playful teaching strategies can create an engaging and supportive learning environment for first-generation students. We will explore practical techniques that can help students to build confidence and navigate academic challenges with less fear, while also having fun. | Monday, Nov. 4 | noon - 1:30 p.m. | Virtual | Jennifer Marcinkiewicz | jmarcink@kent.edu | Staff & Faculty |
| Institutionalizing I AM FIRST update | A presentation to share the progress-to-date on Institutionalizing I AM FIRST at Kent State University. | Monday, Nov. 4 | Virtual | Dr. Kelly Cichy, Melanie Jones | kcichy@kent.edu, mjone238@kent.edu | Students, Staff and Faculty | |
| Its Sweet to be First Gen | A&S first-gen students are welcome to come enjoy a soda float and Insomnia cookies with the college leadership and take a picture with Flash. The first 50 students will receive a free I Am First t-shirt. Other college SWAG will be available while supplies last. | Monday, Nov. 4 | 1:30 - 3:30 p.m. | Bowman Hall 124 College of Arts and Sciences | Kris Braxton | kbraxton@kent.edu | Students |
| First-generation Alumni Panel | A panel of first-generation Kent State alumni who will share what resources, programs, and supports are available to them as alumni who utilized those same resources, programs, and supports during their time as a first-generation college student. Panelists will share with attendees how these impacted their KSU journey. | Monday, Nov. 4 | CUE 143 TRIO Student Support Services | Khalil Looney | klooney4@kent.edu | ||
| First-Generation Graduate Student Roundtable Discussion | Join us for a discussion of the experiences of first-generation graduate students. We will read an article highlighting the experience of first-generation graduate students and discuss how this relates to experiences at Kent State. | Monday, Nov. 4 | 3 - 4:30 p.m. | Hybrid: Microsoft Teams & In-person University Library 352 | Morgan Robinson | mbenso15@kent.edu | Graduate Students |
