Join the First-Gen+ Center from Nov. 6th – Nov. 10th for First-Gen Week. We will be celebrating, centering, and empowering our first-generation Patriots!

We have a host of events celebrating our first-generation college students here at Mason. Students, faculty, and staff are welcome to all events as we center the narratives and experiences of our students through open discussion, community building, and meaningful engagement.

Calendar of Events:

• Tuesday, November 2nd – 1PM OR Wednesday, November 8th – 6PM | National First-Generation College Celebration Virtual Event
  • Co-hosted by the Center and the Council for Opportunity in Education, this virtual conversation, moderated by President Tracy D. Hall, Ed.D., features a panel of first-gen graduates who lead the world’s most recognizable companies.
  • Registration information can be found here.
• Monday, November 6th | First-Gen Week Kickoff and T-Shirt Giveaway 
  • 11 AM-2 PM | SUB I Quad
  • In celebration of First-Gen Week, the First-Gen+ Center will be giving away t-shirts and other surprises for students that identify as first-gen.
• Tuesday, November 7th l First-Gen Week Faculty/Staff Mixer
  • 11:30AM – 1:30PM – Johnson Center George’s (3rd floor)
  • Join the First-Gen+ Center and the First-Gen Faculty/Staff Affinity Group for a mixer during First-Gen Week. This event offers an informal and relaxed setting for faculty and staff from different departments to come together to celebrate their First-Gen identity. Light refreshments will be served.
• Tuesday, November 7th | First to Finished: First-Gen Paths through Graduate School (Co-hosted with Graduate Student Life)
  • 2:30 – 4 PM l SUB l Meeting Room 3B
  • Join us for a panel discussion featuring the experiences and insights of first-generation staff and current graduate students at Mason regarding their graduate school experiences.
• Wednesday, November 8th | Cookies and Conversation with CAPS 
  • 4 PM | SUB 1, Suite 2400 Multipurpose Room
  • Counseling and Psychological Services is partnering with First-Gen+Center for Cookies with CAPS. Join us for connection, cookies, and conversations! Cookies will be provided by Insomnia Cookies.
• Wednesday, November 8th | First-Gen Student Reception for School of Business Students
  • 3-5 PM | JC Bistro
  • Build connections with first-generation School of Business peers, faculty and staff
  • Finger foods, beverages and School of Business swag will be provided
• Thursday, November 8th | Coffee and Conversation with Contemporary Student Services
  • 2 – 3:30 PM l HUB 1012 Contemporary Student Lounge
  • Stop by the Contemporary Student Lounge to Celebrate First-Gen Week! Work on the community art project while also enjoying coffee, snacks, and conversation.
• Thursday, November 9th | F1rst Gen @ Mason x First-Gen+ Center HUB Takeover
  • 4-6 PM | Corner Pocket
  • Who doesn’t love a little friendly competition? Play games, share laughs, and even have a chance to win a prize during our First Gen HUB takeover!
• Friday, November 10th | First-Gen Friday T-Shirt Day
  • Rep your First-Gen pride by wearing your First-Gen T-Shirts!
• Friday, November 10th l Immigration Monologues
  • 6-9 PM, JC Bistro
  • Immigration Monologues is a series testimonials and shared lived experiences by members of the Undocumented community in pursuit of their American Dream. This year’s theme is *Voice of the People: Moving Forward* in hopes to lift up their journeys; including the the barriers they faced. Through storytelling, we aim to promote awareness about the challenges impacting the immigrant community and to empower members of the community and allies to take action, advocated, and promote safe, inclusive, and equitable spaces for undocumented and refugee students.