Congratulations to our upcoming Spring 2023 first-gen graduates.
We are so proud of all that you have accomplished during your time at UT. Please join us at our come-and-go event, alongside your loved ones, to celebrate the dedication you all have shown and honor you as first gen graduates.
2023 First-Gen Grad
Wednesday, May 3
1 - 3 p.m.
San Jacinto Residence Hall MPR
Videos
First-Gen Week
November 7-11, 2022
November 8 is National First-Generation College Celebration Day. But since everything's bigger in Texas, we'll be celebrating First-Gen Longhorns all week! See a full list of events below.
Campus-Wide Celebration
Thursday, November 10
4:30-6:30 p.m.
East Mall
See a full list of events below! More events are being added.
Full Event Schedule
Headshots & Drop-in Career Advising
12-2 p.m. | FAC 2.236 | Open to: Undergraduate Students
Have a free professional headshot taken and meet with a Longhorn Career Peer.
Headshots are available on a drop-in basis, but you are also welcome to register in advance for a guaranteed spot in a 30-minute block. There are changing rooms available if you need to change into your selected attire. The photographer will provide high-res digital photos with a neutral backdrop.
Longhorn Career Peers will also be available for drop-in career questions. A career peer can help you develop a professional LinkedIn profile using your new headshot photo and can help with resumes, your internship or job search, navigating HireUTexas and more.
Sign up for a headshot
Hosted by Texas Career Engagement
LinkedIn Photobooth for First-Gen Graduate Students
2-4p.m. | FAC 2.236 | Open to: Graduate Students only
Stop by to have your free professional headshottaken for your professional documents or webpages. Drop in resume or cv reviews are available for graduate students!
Sign up for a headshot
Hosted by Texas Career Engagement and The Graduate School
Proud to be Moody First-Gen Celebration
3:30-4:30 p.m. | DMC 2.508 | Open to: Moody undergraduate first-gen students
We look forward to celebrating our Moody College of Communication students who identify as a first-generation college student. Join us for refreshments and community. Don’t forget to register!
Register to Attend
Hosted by Moody College of Communication
Benefits of Peace Corps – First-Generation Students
5-6p.m. | Zoom | Open to: Undergraduate Students, Alumni
In Peace Corps, we focus heavily on making a difference. Our Volunteers are inspired by impact that is hands-on, grassroots-driven, and lasting. By immersing ourselves in communities abroad, Peace Corps works side-by-side with local leaders to tackle themost pressing challenges of our generation. From working with small businesses to teaching in a rural village to supporting health programs, we offer a wide array of programs worldwide.
In this info session, learn about the Peace Corps and hear from a former Peace Corps Volunteer, who was a first-generation college student—and the benefits that Peace Corps provides during and after service!
Register to Attend
Hosted by Peace Corps
Firstgiving
6p.m. | Littlefield Patio Cafe | Open to: Undergraduate Students, Faculty and Staff
Enjoy a freedinner and connect with other first-gen students along withinvited faculty and staff. Capacity is limited, so please RSVP to attend.
Register to Attend
Hosted by University Housing and Dining
First-Gen Intro to SLC
10a.m. - noon | JES A315 | Open to: Undergraduate Students
Sanger Learning Center welcomes all first-gen students to visit our space on the 3rd floor of Beauford H. Jester Center (JES). You will have the chance to meet with the coordinators andstudent teams for our different programs and find out what kind of academic support is available for your specific schedule. Bagels and coffee will be provided.
Hosted by Sanger Learning Center
Drop in FAFSA Assistance
10-3p.m. | Texas One Stop – MAI 1 Classroom| Open to: Undergraduate students
Receive 1:1 assistance filling out your 2023-2024 FAFSA. No appointment is needed but please RSVP if you plan to attend.
What to bring:
- Laptop
- Records of income: 2021 W-2 Forms for both student and parent(s), Federal Income Tax Return IRS 1040, 1040A or 1040Z etc.
- Asset information
Hosted by Texas One Stop
Investing at Work
11-12p.m. | FAC 2.116 | Open to: Third-Year or Fourth-Year Students and Graduate Students
Learn to apply the best practices for investing in employer-sponsored accounts.
Register to Attend
Hosted by Texas Financial Wellness
First-Gen Pop-Up Party
1:30-3:30 p.m. | PCL Plaza | Open to: Undergraduate students
Come kick-off and celebrate First-Gen Week! Stop by to take a polaroid with a themed backdrop, write words of gratitude to someone in your support system and leave with a free cookie.
This is a first come, first served event. We will continue to pass items out until supplies last.
Hosted by Living the Longhorn Life program
Mindfulness Workshop
5:30-6:30 p.m. | Hybrid - Zoom and FAC 2.116 Student Space | Open to: Undergraduate Students
Need some relief from stress? Constantly distracted by technology? Struggling to stay present? Let’s practice some mindfulness. In this interactive workshop, participants will experience different types of mindfulness-based practices. That’s it. We’ll just practice mindfulness together.
This is a family-friendly event! Our mindfulness coordinator previously worked with Austin ISD leading mindfulness events for children! Please feel encouraged to participate from home or in person, and do not feel bad if you cannot attend the entire time.
Zoom Link
Hosted by Transfer-Year Experience
COE First-Gen College Open House
9-10a.m.| Suzan Clark Glickman Student Lounge | Open to: College of Education First-Gen Students, Faculty and Staff
Drop by the Suzan Clark Glickman Student Lounge in Sanchez to connect, learn about shared experiences and get support from the COE first-gen community and each other. Join us for tacos, coffee and community as we celebrate our first-gen students, faculty and staff!
Register to Attend
Hosted by College of Education
Healthyhorns First-Gen Hot Chocolate Hangout
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.| The Longhorn Wellness Center (SSB 101.6) | Open to: Undergraduate Students
Stop by the Longhorn Wellness Center for hot chocolate, snacks, stress management activities, and resources related to student well-being.
Hosted by Healthyhorns
UT for Me First-Generation Celebration
11 a.m. – 1 p.m. | FAC 2.116 | Open to: UT for Me Students
All UT for Me students are invited to stop by our office on the second floor of the Flawn Academic Center (FAC) to #celebratefirstgen with snacks, swag and an opportunity to connect with your peers!
Hosted by UT for Me – Powered by Dell Scholars
Presenting your Best Graduate School Application: Insider Information on What to Expect When Applying to Graduate School
11-12p.m. | BUR 128 | Open to: Undergraduate Students
Insider information on what to expect when applying to graduate school.
Register to Attend
Hosted by Texas Career Engagement and The Graduate School
First-Gen Grab & Go
1-3p.m.| Texas Union Patio | Open to: Longhorn Community
Stop by the Union Patio and grab postcards, stickers and snacks. You can also take a picture in the first-gen photo booth!
Hosted by The Texas Union
First-Generation Voices
2 p.m. | SSB 3.200 | Open to: Undergraduate Students
This drop-in experience is designed to help first-generation Longhorns connect, learn about shared experiences and get support from CMHC and each other. Students may also learn about campus resources that can enable them to become more successful and discuss other topics that feel relevant.
Please RSVP
Hosted by UT Counseling and Mental Health Center
Asset-Based Advocacy for First-Gen Students
3-4p.m. | Zoom | Open to: Longhorn Community
A deficit framework is prevalent in both the research and programming aimed towards supporting first gen students and their academic progress. In this one-hour session we provide an overview of an asset-based approach that emphasizes the contributions of first gen students to the campus community (and beyond). We provide concrete strategies on ways to engage in first-gen research and outreach using this asset-based framework.
Zoom Link
Hosted by Ana Vielma, doctoral candidate in Educational Psychology, and Dr. Stephanie W. Cawthon, her advisor, also in Educational Psychology
Starting the Conversation: Talking to Family About Mental Health
6-7p.m. | SSB 3.200 -LCAE Lobby | Open to: Undergraduate Students
Join the Longhorn SHARE Project for an empowering peer-led conversation! Shame and stigma around mental health can affect many of us as first-gen students. Being on our own for the first time, adjusting to a complex institutional culture, and carrying the weight of our families’ hopes and expectations is a LOT to manage –and if the people closest to us carry stigmatized beliefs about help-seeking for mental health, where can we turn for support and understanding? Is it possible to work through conflicting views about mental health without harming our relationships? How can we support each other as peers in overcoming self-stigma, normalizing common struggles, and harnessing our strengths and inner resources?
Let’s gather together to share our experiences, concerns, and ideas over a cozy meal as a first gen UT "family". This is a students-only event without a formal hierarchy to ensure all participants' voices are heard and valued. Please register below to ensure we order enough food!
Please RSVP
Hosted by Longhorn SHARE Project
Volleyball vs. Iowa State
7p.m. | Gregory Gym | Open to: Undergraduate and Graduate Students
Be a part of the most electric experience on campus as #1 ranked Texas Volleyball takes on Iowa State in historic Gregory Gym. The first 300 students will get FREE Southside Pizza!
Please RSVP
Hosted by Texas Volleyball
First-Generation Coffee Chat (Cockrell School of Engineering)
9:30 a.m. - noon | EER 2.850 | Open to: First-Generation Cockrell School of EngineeringStudents, Faculty and Staff
Join us as we celebrate and reflect on the First-Generation Cockrell School of Engineering experience.
Hosted by Cockrell School of Engineering
Blanton Museum of Art: Open House
10 a.m.-12 p.m. | Blanton Museum of Art | Open to: Undergraduate Students
Welcome to the Blanton Museum of Art! Collect a museum guidebook from one of our gallery educators and begin your journey of exploration through the galleries. The guidebook has been designed to provide entry points to explore the museum and art more generally.
No registration required. Just bring your UT EID to the Visitor Services Desk. The Blanton is ALWAYS free for UT students.
Hosted by Blanton Musuem of Art
Financial Wellness 101 for the First-Generation Student
12-1 p.m. | Zoom or In-person (MAI 1 Classroom) | Open to: Undergraduate Students
Join this virtual or in-person workshop designed to educate first-generation students on the importance of learning effective strategies for managing money well.
Register to Attend
Hosted by Texas Financial Wellness
I Am Not Alone: First-Generation Graduate Student Panel Discussion and Lunch
12-2 p.m. | FAC 2.236 | Open to: Graduate Students
Creating and seizingopportunities, demystifying academic spaces, navigating hidden curricula, and traversing the gap between home and academic worlds are all things first-generation graduate students are expected to do with limited support which many other students may receive.Join us for a panel discussion where we will hear from first-generation graduate students at UT Austin about their lived experiences and insights into navigating graduate school as first gen students. Lunch will be served with coffee and snacks to follow.
Register to Attend
Hosted by Graduate Student Assembly,Texas Career Engagement and The Graduate School
#CelebrateFirstGen with the Jackson School
1-3p.m. | JGB 2.102 | Open to: First-Generation Jackson School Students, Faculty and Staff
Join the Jackson School of Geosciences in celebrating first-generation students! First-generation Jackson School students are encouraged to stop by to enjoy good conversations and yummy cupcakes!
Hosted by Jackson School of Geosciences
Exploring Prestigious Scholarships
2 p.m. | Zoom | Open to: UndergraduateStudents
Learn about several prestigious post-baccalaureate scholarships that you may be eligible for and about the application process for each. The session will cover: What are prestigious scholarships and fellowships? Who is eligible to apply? Why should you consider applying? And when do you apply? Come learn the answers to these questions and more!
Register to Attend
Hosted by The Office of Distinguished and Postgraduate Scholarships
Exploring Nature on Campus
2-3p.m. | Turtle Pond | Open to: Longhorn Community
Join Mindful UT and Texas Well-Being for campus nature exploration. We'll start at Turtle Pond and move throughout campus exploring different nature spots on the newly developed Nature Rx Map.
Please RSVP
Hosted by Mindful UT and Texas Well-Being
Education Abroad Scholarship Fair
3p.m. | RLP 1.302E | Open to: Undergraduate Students
Learn more about how you can use scholarships to help fund the study abroad experience of your dreams! In addition to many others, learn about the First Abroad Scholarship, due November 18, for first generation college students in their first semester at UT.
Register to Attend
Hosted by Texas Global
Blanton Museum of Art: Open House
3-5 p.m. | Blanton Museum of Art | Open to: Undergraduate Students
Welcome to the Blanton Museum of Art! Collect a museum guidebook from one of our gallery educators and begin your journey of exploration through thegalleries. The guidebook has been designed to provide entry points to explore the museum and art more generally.
No registration required. Just bring your UT EID to the Visitor Services Desk. The Blanton is ALWAYS free for UT students.
Hosted by Blanton Musuem of Art
Campus-Wide Celebration
4:30-6:30 p.m. | East Mall | Open to: Longhorn Community
Join us for food, music, giveaways, a photo booth, and special guest speakers.
Hosted by First-Gen Committee
Nontraditional Student Panel & Networking Event
6:30-8:30 p.m. | FAC 2nd Floor Classrooms | Open to: Longhorn Community
Hi New Wave Longhorns! For Nontraditional Student Week, we want to provide an opportunity to connect with nontraditional student alumni and current nontraditional students. We will start the event with a panel of alumni who will share more about their experiences at the university and what life's been like post-grad. Afterward, there will be a chance to socialize and connect with one another.
Email mandy.vachon@austin.utexas.edu to RSVP!
Hosted by Transfer-Year Experience
Three Minute Thesis Finals
10:30 a.m. | FAC 2nd Floor Classrooms | Open to: Graduate Students only
Come watch your colleagues from across campus compete in the 3MT finals. The Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) competition celebrates the exciting research conducted by graduate students. The competition supports their capacity to effectively explain their research in three minutes, in a language appropriate to a non-specialist audience.
Hosted by Texas Career Engagement and The Graduate School
Panel Discussion with First-Generation BDP Students - Impact of a BDP Certificate on UT Experience
11 a.m. -12 p.m. | Zoom | Open to: Longhorn Community
Join this panel discussion with students who are currently pursuing an interdisciplinary Bridging Disciplines Programs certificate. Panelists will discuss how their BDP certificate has impacted their UT Austin experience and will answer questions.
Zoom Link
Hosted by Bridging Disciplines Program
NTS Resume Writing Workshop
12-1:30p.m. | Zoom | Open to: Longhorn Community
This workshop will be tailored for nontraditional students who have prior work experience and are newly degreed. Even if you're not graduating for some time, you can gain some tips and tricks to help write a strong resume when the time comes!
Zoom Link
Hosted by Transfer-Year Experience
2021 First-Generation College Celebration Week Events
We're excited to celebrate and support First-Gen Longhorns with a week-long series of in-person and virtual events in conjunction with national First-Generation College Celebration Day on November 8. We'll kick things off with a big celebration on the East Mall! Join us for:
First-Generation College Celebration
Monday, November 8 | 5-7 p.m. | East Mall
See a full list of events below! More events are being added.
#FirstGenLonghorns Prospective Student Event
1-3 PM | Gregory Gym Plaza | Open to: Prospective Texas '26 Students
During this invitation-only outdoor event, prospective students will have the opportunity to interact with Admissions staff, current students, first-gen alumni, and more to gain insight on what it's like to be a first-generation student on campus.
Hosted by Office of Admissions
Sanger Learning Center Giveaways
Monday – Friday | 8AM-5PM | Pickup details to be shared with winner
Kaplan MCAT Prep Book Set Give-Away: Third- and fourth-year students can email slc@austin.utexas.edu to be entered in a drawing to win a 2021-2022 MCAT Complete 7-Book Subject Review set.
Ukelele Giveaway: Undergraduate and graduate students can email Darcy Barrick on Monday, November 8 to be entered to win a brand new ukelele with case! Pick up location will be shared once the winner has been selected.
Hosted by Sanger Learning Center
More Than Enough: First-Gens Fighting Imposter Syndrome
1-2 PM | Virtual Workshop | Open to: Undergraduate Students
This interactive workshop will provide students with the space and knowledge to begin to understand and navigate imposter syndrome. Students will gain self-awareness, find community, identify campus resources and learn strategies for combating imposter syndrome.
Hosted by Texas Career Engagement
First-Generation Student Pop-Up Party
1-3 PM | PCL Corner | Open to: Undergraduate Students
Stop by to take a polaroid with a themed backdrop, grab some playing cards to play with fellow Longhorns, and write words of encouragement to someone in your support system. This is a first-come, first-served event; until supplies last.
Hosted by Living the Longhorn Life Programming Team (VPSA Office)
First-Generation College Celebration
5-7 PM | East Mall | Open to: Longhorn Community
Help us kick off First-Generation College Celebration Week with a big celebration on the East Mall! Join us for food, music, giveaways, photo booth fun, a special visit from Hook 'Em and guest speakers.
Hosted by the First-Gen Collective
Get Hooked on Financial Aid: First-Gen FAFSA Open House
1-3 PM | MAI 1 Conference Room | Open to: Undergraduate Students
Did you know you have to file your FAFSA every year you plan to receive financial aid? Come visit Texas One Stop to file your FAFSA with help from a Texas One Stop Coordinator. Whether you have already started your FAFSA and you need help finishing it, or even if you are unsure of where to begin, Texas One Stop has your back. We will guide you through filing your FAFSA and answer any financial aid questions you may have. Texas residents can stop by to fill out the TASFA for state and institutional aid. You can find us in MAI1 on the ground floor of the UT Tower.
Hosted by Texas One Stop
UT for Me First-Gen Open House
2-4 PM | MAI 22 | Open to: UT for Me Students
To celebrate First-Generation Celebration Week, UT for Me is hosting an open house. This come-and-go event will have snacks, swag and opportunities for you to connect with your peers. All UT for Me students are invited!
Hosted by UT for Me – Powered by Dell Scholars
Opportunities Abroad: Is Peace Corps Right for Me?
5-6 PM | Virtual Workshop | Open to: Undergraduate Students
Peace Corps is an exciting post-graduation opportunity to live abroad, immerse yourself in a new culture, and partner with communities to make a difference. Attend this information session to hear from the perspective of first-generation alumni, who joined the Peace Corps in order to make a difference in the world and see how their experiences helped shape who they are today. You will learn more about Peace Corps, our Peace Corps Prep program here at UT, and find out if Peace Corps is right for you!
Hosted by Texas Global – Peace Corps
Pathway to Becoming a Healthcare Provider
6 PM | Virtual Workshop | Open to Undergraduate Students
Meet with a panel of current Dell Medical Students to learn about the many paths into healthcare and current available resources. We will present the information that we wish we knew as undergraduate students, followed by a Q & A session.
Hosted by Dell Medical School
Proud to Be Moody First-Gen
12-2 PM | CMA 5.136 | Open to: Moody first-gen students, faculty and staff
Moody students, staff and faculty who identify as first-gen are invited to join us for a lunchtime meet and greet. This is a come-and-go event and an opportunity to connect with other first-generation college students and faculty and staff who have graduated as the first in their families to go to college. Light refreshments will be provided.
Hosted by Moody College of Communication
Theory of Cultural Mismatch: How to Meet First Generation Students' Needs
1-2 PM | Virtual Workshop | Open to: Faculty and Staff
The theory of cultural mismatch explores how the broader independent cultural of colleges and universities may not match students' personal values. This presentation explores past empirical evidence about how promoting interdependent values may relate to first-generation students' sense of belonging and academic success.
Hosted by the Counseling and Mental Health Center
Unions First-Generation Celebration
1-3 PM | University Unions | Open to: Longhorn Community
Grab a cookie and celebrate with us!
Hosted by University Unions
Persevering During the Pandemic: Addressing the Impact of COVID-19 on First-Generation College Students
2-3 PM | Virtual Workshop | Open to: Longhorn Community
This event features research findings on the first-generation college student experience during the COVID-19 pandemic and recommendations to better support this population of students.
Hosted by College of Education: Educational Psychology
Gauging an Organization's Commitment to DEI During the Job Search
4-5 PM | Virtual Workshop | Open to: Undergraduate and Graduate Students
Learn strategies and questions to ask during your job search process to gauge an organization's commitment to diversity and inclusion. Hear from Toby Egbuna, Co-founder and CEO of Chezie, a platform created to help people find belonging at work. Toby will share Chezie story data to back up his step-by-step recommendations and strategies for successfully navigating the job search process.
Hosted by Texas Career Engagement
Unnatural Causes: Health Equity is a Civil Right
5 PM | Virtual & In-person | Open to: Longhorn Community
Dr. Ryan Sutton will interview Dr. Desmar Walkes (City Medial Director) and Ms. Stephanie Hayden-Howard (Assistant City Manager of Health & Culture) about health equity/inequity, social determinants of health, and political determinants of health. In-person audience members will also have the opportunity to ask questions as well.
In-Person Event: LBJ Library and Museum
Hosted by Heman Sweatt Symposium on Civil Rights
First-Gen Leadership Panel
6-7 PM | WCH 1.120 | Open to: Undergraduate Students
Hear from University Leadership Network alumni who identify as first-gen, about their leadership experiences, college journeys and career paths. You don't want to miss it! You can submit questions for panelists in advance using the registration link below.
Hosted by University Leadership Network
Texas Law Pipeline Program: Virtual Info Session and Law Student Panel
6:30-7:45 PM | Virtual Workshop | Open to: Undergraduate Students
Are you considering a career in law? Are you from a first-generation or underrepresented racial or ethnic background? Connect with Texas Law students with similar backgrounds and hear about their journeys to law school and the legal profession. Nicole Clark Simmons, Texas Law's Director of Pipeline Outreach and Development, will provide an overview of the law school's new Pipeline Program and share information about getting involved.
Hosted by School of Law
Do's and Donuts: Do You Know What You Don't Know?
11 AM-12 PM | WAG 1.134 | Open to: Undergraduate and Graduate Students
Join a Q&A with our staff, who are former first-gen students, to answer questions and to chat about navigating UT as a first-generation student. Food will be served.
Hosted by Office of the University Ombuds
Chart Your Leadership Journey
1-2 PM | East Mall | Open to: First- and Second-Year Students
Are you looking to strengthen your leadership skills? Participate in a fun and engaging 45-minute workshop to map out your personal leadership journey, and plan the course for where you want to go next! We will help you see ways that you have already grown as a leader, and how to apply your unique skills to everyday leadership situations today and in the future.
Hosted by Texas Leadership Education and Development
Informational Interview with Kyle Ryman, JD, First Gen Law School Alumnus and Managing Member @ Scholati LLC
4-4:30 PM | Virtual Workshop | Open to: Graduate Students
Grad students from all disciplines are invited to meet in a small group with Kyle Ryman, JD to learn about his experience as a First Gen Law School student at UT. Kyle received his J.D. from UT Austin in 2020. He is currently working as a managing member at Scholati LLC, where he oversees development of revolutionary learning application that promises to greatly enhance students' learning velocity.
Hosted by Texas Career Engagement
Taking a Moment: Community Gathering for First-Gen Students
4-6 PM | SSB 3.200 (Commons Room) | Open to: Undergraduate Students
Being away from home can be difficult, especially as the semester progresses, the Longhorn Center for Academic Equity can be that space for you. As a center that works with many students, we always encourage students to practice self-care. This is why at this gathering, we will have small activities, such as coloring books, playdoh, and watercolor painting for students to destress and enjoy themselves. Snacks will be provided.
Hosted by Longhorn Center for Academic Equity: First-Gen Equity
Pathway to MBA: First-Gen MBA Student Panel
5-6 PM | Virtual Workshop | Open to: Undergraduate Students
Are you considering business school someday? Interested in how an MBA can be helpful to your career? Are you from a first-generation or underrepresented racial or ethnic background? Connect with Texas McCombs MBA students with similar backgrounds and hear about their journeys to business school and experiences in their careers. Panel will be followed by an open Q&A.
Hosted by McCombs School of Business
FirstGiving
5-7 PM | Littlefield Patio Cafe | Open to: Undergraduate and Graduate Students, Alumni
Join fellow first-generation students for a FirstGiving event, where you can enjoy a complimentary meal from University Housing and Dining and mingle with first-generation faculty and staff.
Hosted by University Housing and Dining
Panel Discussion with First-Generation BDP Students - Impact of a BDP Certificate on UT Experience
11 AM-12 PM | Virtual Workshop | Open to: Undergraduate Students, Faculty and Staff
Join this panel discussion with students who are currently pursuing an interdisciplinary Bridging Disciplines Programs certificate. Panelists will discuss how their BDP certificate has impacted their UT Austin experience and will answer questions.
Hosted by Bridging Disciplines Programs (School of Undergraduate Studies)
First Abroad Scholars Lunch Connection
12-1 PM | Virtual Event | Open to: Current First Abroad Scholars
Education Abroad will host a lunch meet-up for current First Abroad Scholars.
Hosted by Education Abroad
First Generation: Education Abroad 101 & Scholarship Opportunity
1-2 PM | Virtual Event | Open to: Undergraduate Students
Join Education Abroad to learn about international opportunities and a special scholarship program for first-gen students.
Hosted by Education Abroad
First-Gen Connection with Longhorn SHARE Project
2-3 PM | WCP 2.310 | Open to: Undergraduate Students
Join first-gen students Tiba Al Khafaji (TX 23) and Nimisha Jain (TX 22) from the Longhorn SHARE Project as they facilitate a space for new connections, honest conversation, and mutual support. All first-gen students are welcome, so come and be yourself in a low-key environment with others who have been there! Topics for discussion may include fears around making friends, dealing with family pressure, independence vs. isolation, cultural adjustment, and other fun feelings often shared by first-gen students.
Hosted by Longhorn Wellness Center, Longhorn SHARE Project
First-Generation Voices
2-3 PM | Virtual Discussion Group | Open to: Undergraduate Students
Join a special edition of the weekly discussion group, which is open to all students who identify as first-generation college students.
This drop-in experience is designed to help first-generation Longhorns connect, learn about shared experiences and get support from CMHC and each other. Students may also learn about campus resources that can enable them to become more successful and discuss other topics that feel relevant.
Hosted by the Counseling and Mental Health Center
Kahoot with the Leadership & Ethics Institute!
November 13, 2020, 12 p.m. | YouTube Live
Join the Leadership and Ethics Institute in the Office of the Dean of Students for a trivia game break to win goodies! Prizes will be mailed to winners.
Hosted by the Leadership and Ethics Institute
Panel of Professionals: First-Generation Perspectives on Personal Finance
November 13, 2020, 1:30-2:30 p.m.
Join the Texas Financial Wellness team in a panel discussion of UT community professionals as we learn their personal perspectives and experiences with budgeting and debt management as first-generation college graduates.
Hosted by Texas Financial Wellness
Earn A Degree In How To Make Ends Meet
November 13, 2020, 3 p.m.
Don’t want your money funny and your change strange? Join the Texas Financial Wellness team of Certified Personal Finance Counselors as they help you navigate the treacherous world of “bills, bills, bills.” No Zoom fatigue here playing an interactive budgeting game “spilling the tea” on being an independent working adult.
Hosted by Texas Financial Wellness
Hangout & Among Us!
November 13, 2020, 5-6 p.m.
Join us for a virtual hangout as we play Among Us and get to know some of your fellow First-Gen Longhorns!
Hosted by the Division of Diversity and Community Engagement First-Gen Longhorns Student Ambassadors
Celebrating First-Generation Faculty and Staff with the Hispanic Faculty and Staff Association
November 11, 2020, 11:30 a.m.-12 p.m.
Join us to celebrate our first-generation faculty and staff! We will have time to network and connect with each other. The HFSA November General Meeting will begin at noon. Open to all faculty and staff.
Hosted by the Division of Diversity and Community Engagement
First-Gen Grad Chat: Building Professional Relationships in Academia and Industry
November 11, 2020,12-1 p.m.
Join us for an hourlong discussion on the topic of building mutually beneficial relationships with professionals across a broad range of careers and fields.
Hosted by The Graduate School and Texas Career Engagement
Microaggressions and Microaffirmations with First-Generation College Students
November 11, 2020, 1 p.m.
Students will learn about common experiences of microaggressions committed against first-generation college students. Students, staff, and faculty may also learn about ways in which they can provide affirmations to First-Gen Longhorns, specifically about their first-gen status. General information about CMHC services will also be provided.
Hosted by the Counseling and Mental Health Center
The First to Know: Student & Staff First-Gen Panel
November 11, 2020, 2-3 p.m.
You don’t know what you don’t know, until you know it. Maneuvering through college can be a challenging experience. If you are a first-generation college student, this can add an additional layer of complexity. Join us for a panel of first-generation UT staff and college students. Learn how being first-generation has shaped their experiences and gain advice on navigating different spaces while building confidence. Panelists will take turns answering questions revolving around their first-generation identity and conclude with a Q&A.
Hosted by the School of Undergraduate Studies
First-Gen in Sports
November 11, 2020, 3 p.m.
What is it like to navigate participation in sports as a first-get student? Join RecSports student employees Micahia James and Salma Gonzalez for a conversation on their journey as intramural sports athletes on the Forty Acres. Micahia and Salma will share the challenges they faced and the opportunities they encountered along the way, including their best tips on getting involved in sports on campus. Micahia (Texas ’21) is a first-generation college student from El Paso, Texas. Micahia is majoring in Linguistics and Society and has spent two years in the Intramural Sports program as a volleyball official and supervisor. Salma (Texas ’21) is a first-generation college student from Pharr, Texas. Salma is a proud ULN and TIP Scholar. When Salma is not officiating soccer games at the fields, she’s involved in Texas Alpha Epsilon Delta and Texas Belles.
Hosted by Recreational Sports
Financial Aid Fundamentals – FAFSA 101
November 11, 2020,4 p.m.
UT for Me – Powered by Dell Scholars students will hear from UT for Me Financial Aid Officers about financial aid and the FAFSA process and deadlines.
Hosted by UT for Me – Powered by Dell Scholars
First Abroad Scholars 2020 Cohort Celebration
November 11, 2020, 5 p.m. | Private Event
Texas Global will celebrate the 2020 cohort of First Abroad Scholars. Twenty-five students have been selected to receive a $3,000 scholarship to support integrating an international experience into their four-year degree. This event will be the first meeting of the new cohort.
Hosted by Texas Global Education Abroad
First Generation Alumni @Work Career Conversations
November 10, 2020, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Meet individually or in small groups with first-generation advanced degree alumni Peter Kunze, PhD in Media Studies and Visiting Assistant Professor at Tulane University from 10:30-11 a.m. or 11-11:30 a.m.
Hosted by the Graduate School and Texas Career Engagement
Do You Know What You Don’t Know?
November 10, 2020, 11:30 a.m.
Join the Office of the University Ombuds for Students as we share some of the challenges that students face and how to navigate these concerns. You'll learn about resources you might not know of on campus, as well as tips and hints on making the best of your time at UT.
Hosted by the University Ombuds for Students
College to Career Speaker Series: My First-Gen Career Story
November 10, 2020, 12-1 p.m.
In this interactive panel discussion, you will hear from upperclassmen and alumni about the unique challenges and successes they experienced on their academic and career paths as first-generation students at UT. Join us to identify strategies to build confidence, navigate the career decision-making process, and develop a sense of community. This is an event for undergraduate students and alumni who have graduated within 1 year of the event date. All majors welcome.
Hosted by Texas Career Engagement
First-Generation Student Pop-Up Party
November 10, 2-4 p.m. | Perry–Castañeda Library Corner (Located Southwest of 21st and Speedway)
A celebration for our First-Gen Longhorns! Visit our table at the Perry–Castañeda Library corner (located southwest of 21st and Speedway) to take a photo with Hook 'Em, grab a button, and enjoy a cookie! Sanitization stations will be present, and safety kits will be distributed. We encourage students to wear a mask and use the Protect Texas Together app to ensure they are safe to come on campus.
Hosted by the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs – Living the Longhorn Life Events
First-Gen Strong
November 10, 2020, 5:15-6 p.m.
Celebrate the strength of first-generation college students with RecSports! Join us for a virtual TeXercise Total Body Conditioning class taught by fitness instructor Kyarah Rogers. The session will start with a 30-minute workout followed by a 15-minute conversation. Join us from wherever you are, all you need is a water bottle, a towel, and enough space to move around! Kyarah (Texas ’22) is a first-generation college student from Conroe, Texas. Kyarah is majoring in Biology and is interested in pursuing a career in physical therapy. When she’s not in the studio teaching, she’s involved in Texas Alpha Epsilon Delta and Texas AHSA (pre-allied health society).
Hosted by Recreational Sports
University Leadership Network First-Gen Panel
November 9, 2020, 12-1 p.m.
ULN will continue its panel series with a group of professionals who identify as first-gen, who will share inspiring stories about their college journeys and their career paths.
Hosted by the University Leadership Network
Imposter Syndrome: A Conversation
November 9, 2020,1 p.m.
A 30-minute discussion surrounding Imposter Syndrome and how to combat that as we close out the semester.
Hosted by the Division of Diversity and Community Engagement
#FirstGenLonghorns Prospective Student Virtual Event
November 8, 2020, 3-5:30 p.m.
Prospective first-generation college students will have the chance to speak with first-gen staff, current students, first-gen alumni, and more to learn what it's like to be a first-generation student on campus.
Hosted by the Office of Admissions
How Many First-Generation Students Attend UT?
- UT enrolls first-generation students in every college and school on campus.
- More than 9,000 first-generation students are enrolled as undergraduates.
A first-generation college student is defined as a student whose parent(s) or guardian(s) did not have the opportunity to complete a bachelor’s degree. Many students whose parents have degrees from outside of the United States also identify as first-generation. UT is happy to support and serve anyone who identifies as first-generation. First-Generation Longhorns —including first-generation faculty and staff —are a fundamental part of our campus, a strong and proud part of the Longhorn family.
A focus on first-generation students was the platform of Alejandrina Guzman, 2017-2018 Student Government President. Her efforts helped launch a university-wide focus on first-generation students and included planning events such as the inaugural First-Generation Student Kick-Off Weekend and an annual networking event honoring Trailblazers of the Forty Acres in collaboration with the Division of Diversity and Community Engagement.
Ensuring first-generation students and their families are aware of and have access to the many resources available to them on campus is key to their success. With executive sponsorship from Executive Vice President and Provost Maurie McInnis, Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students Dr. Soncia Reagins-Lilly and Vice President for Diversity and Community Engagement Dr. Leonard Moore, a charge was initiated in Spring 2018 to begin a First-Generation Commitment Working Group. The working group, which includes students, faculty and staff from units across campus, seeks to identify ways to increase support for first-generation Longhorns campus wide.
In Summer 2018, the working group partnered with New Student Services and Texas Parents, both of which are part of the Division of Student Affairs, to incorporate concurrent sessions for families of first-generation college students during Family Orientation. The 45-minute session welcomed 330 family members of first-generation students to campus, provided information on resources available to their students and answered questions about student life at UT.
Annually, first-generation students are honored as part of the national First-Generation College Celebration Day. This university-wide event brings together students, faculty, staff and alumni to celebrate the accomplishment and pride of UT’s first-generation community.
#FirstGenLonghorns
Dr. Lynn Crismon
- Dean, College of Pharmacy
- James T. Doluisio Regents Chair, College of Pharmacy
- Behrens Inc. Centennial Professor of Pharmacy
- BS Pharmacy ’74, University of Oklahoma
- Pharm.D. ’79. University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
"As a former first-generation college student, I strongly support facilitating the dreams of first-generation students."
Dr. Jason McLellan
- Designed the spike protein found in all COVID-19 Vaccines Distributed in the United States
- Professor and Associate Chair for Graduate Education, Department of Molecular Biosciences
- Director, Interdisciplinary Life Sciences Graduate Program
- Robert A. Welch Chair in Chemistry
- B.S. Chemistry, ’03, Wayne State University
- Ph.D. Biophysics, ’08, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
"In speaking to a group of first-generation college students, I could relate to their experiences having been there myself. Being together was inspiring."
Dr. Charles Martinez
- Dean, College of Education
- Professor, Department of Educational Psychology
- Lee Hage Jamail Regents Chair in Education, College of Education
- Sid W. Richardson Regents Chair in Education, College of Education
- BA Psychology ‘91, Pitzer College
- MA Clinical Psychology ‘93, California School of Professional Psychology
- Ph.D. Clinical Psychology ‘97, California School of Professional Psychology
"If you are a first-generation student, I say you are not attending college by accident. You are not an exception to a rule. You have earned this opportunity through your hard work."
Mike Gutierrez
- Program Manager, College of Natural Sciences
- BA Psychology ’13, The University of Texas at Austin
- M.Ed. College & University Student Personnel Administration ’15, The University of Texas at Austin
- Doctoral Student, Program in Higher Education Leadership ’23, The University of Texas at Austin
"Being a first-generation graduate means being a role model to my younger siblings and serving as a mentor for future generations of scholars. I’m proud to be first-generation."
Lina Tran
- BS Advertising ’09, The University of Texas at Austin
"As a daughter of Vietnamese refugees, being first generation inspired me daily to honor my parents who have made countless sacrifices for me and supported me wholeheartedly. It was a privilege to attend and graduate from the University of Texas at Austin, and I will always cherish my time on the Forty Acres."
