We celebrate National First-Generation College Celebration Dayannually on Nov. 8 to commemorate the signing of the Higher Education Act (HEA) of 1965 by then-President Lyndon B. Johnson. Currently, around 25% ofthe University of Utah’s student body identifies as first-generation college students, and we were thrilled to recognize and appreciate these students here at Eccles. This year, we hosted two events: First-Gen Brag Board and Kick-Off and First-Gen Fest.

We kicked off the week with a First-Gen Brag Board activity, where students were asked to fill out a prompt related to celebrating first-generation college students and the mentors who helped them get where they are. When asked to describe first-gen students, students and staff shared that these inspiring pioneers and trailblazers possess strength, empowerment, resiliency, courage, and power. In addition, students spoke of the many people who helped them get where they are today, such as their parents, family, teachers, coaches, and other mentors. One student shared, “I am the first person in my family to go to school in the U.S., and I want to make my family proud. They’ve sacrificed so much for me to be here.”

The celebrations didn’t end there! On Wednesday, the David Eccles School of Business, TRIO, and the Office for First Generation Success co-hosted First-Gen Fest. Students had the chance to socialize, listen to music, take photos, enjoy food from Arempa’s, connect with helpful campus and community resources, and express what being first-gen meant to them through activities. T-shirts that Ufirst Credit Union sponsored were distributed along with stickers designed by Trish Luu.

Several resource centers were in attendance, including:

  • Basic Needs Collective
  • U First Credit Union
  • Financial Wellness Center
  • Office of Student Inclusion
  • Women’s Resource Center
  • DREAM Center
  • U Career Success
  • Student Success Coaches
  • The 1850 Society

We want to thank those who celebrated our first-generation students and those students who shared their experiences. Let’s continue to uplift first-generation students all year long. To hear the stories of several first-generation students at the University of Utah, you can watch the following video produced by Abbey Salamera.

Watch the video here.

Eccles student Jordan Fairbourn (she/her) is the Director of Communications for the Business Student Government.