Boston University First-Gen College Celebration 2022

Join the Newbury Center and the entire BU community as we celebrate the achievements and experiences of our first-generation undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. While the official date for the National First-Generation College Celebration is November 8th, we’re celebrating for a whole week.  All times listed below are EDT/EST.

The Newbury Center and the entire BU community events:

Thank you to everyone who joined the National First-Generation College Celebration events. Please look below to see all the amazing past events from the BU First-Gen celebration.

Tuesday, November 1 or Wednesday November 2, 2022:

  • 4:00PM & 6:00PM: National First-generation College Celebration Virtual Event  Join us on November 1, 2022 at 4:00 pm ET OR November 2, 2022 at 6:00 pm ET for the 2022 First-Generation College Celebration Virtual Event, featuring a panel moderated by Dr. Brenda Dann-Messier, Senior Advisory with the Education Strategy Group; Former Post-Secondary Commissioner of Higher Education in Rhode Island; Past Assistant Secretary for Career, Technology, & Adult Education with the Obama Administration. Dr. Kelly Brochu, Assistant to the President for Special Projects, Regis College, Matt Donovan, Director of Educational Access Programs, Morehead State University, and Dr. Vanessa Sheared, President, Board of Directors, American Association for Adult and Continuing Education, round out the panel and will discuss the first-generation adult learner identity, share their unique experiences and offer insight into tools and resources.

Saturday, November 5th:

  • 9:00AM-5:00PM:  First-gen Summit (Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Ave-Exact Location TBA)
    Attend a first-gen conference for FREE! In honor of National First-Gen College Celebration week, the Newbury Center invites Boston University’s first-gen undergraduate, graduate, and professional students to join us at the 10th Annual First Gen Summit.  REGISTRATION IS CLOSED DUE TO REACHING CAPACITY.

Monday, November 7th:

  • 12:15PM-1:15PM The Finals are Coming: Preparing for Final Exams Virtual Workshop (Zoom) Attend this workshop to learn what you can be doing right now to prepare for final exams! An Educational Resource Center staff member will share helpful steps, tips and strategies so that you can make the most of your time and preparation starting now until final exams. Leave this workshop feeling more prepared for final exams. Welcome to all BU students on Zoom. Click here to join!
  • 5:30-7:00PM: Not Safe For Work:  Redefining Professionalism in the Workplace (Hillel House, Bay State Rm, 4th Floor, 213 Bay State Rd and Livestream) Join us in person or virtually to welcome Pabel Martinez, founder of Plurawl, to discuss and interrogate what it means to show up as your authentic self in the workplace.  These days, many young professionals feel they must modify their appearance, body, language, and communication style to advance in their careers. Join us in a conversation with Pabel Martinez as we examine and redefine “professionalism” in a way that can help those who may struggle to authentically show up as themselves in the workplace.  This is a hybrid event. When you register, you will be prompted to sign up for either in person or online attendance. Refreshments will be provided for in-person attendees.  Co-sponsored by BU Diversity & Inclusion, The Newbury Center, Organizational Development & Learning, and the Office of the Senior Diversity Officer.  Click here for more information and to REGISTER.
  • 4:30PM & 7:30PM: Boston University Athletics Basketball Doubleheader (Case Gym, 285 Babcock St) Join us on Monday, November 7 for Terrier Tip-Off when Boston University hosts city rival Northeastern in a season opening doubleheader at Case Gym! Women’s tip-off  is at 4:30 p.m. followed by the men’s tip-off at 7:30pm! Free food, giveaways, music and more! Be sure to wear your BU Newbury Center t-shirt or your Terrier F1RSTS buttons so you can spot other first-gen students at the game!  Students who have the BU Sports Pass can get in with their ID.  No sports pass?  No problem!  Stop by the Newbury Center no later than 5pm on Monday, November 7 to pick up your free ticket!  Go Terriers

Tuesday, November 8th:

Wednesday, November 9th:

  • 5:00-6:00PM:  The Individual and the Community: Exploring Our Personal and Social Identities Workshop(Newbury Center, 755 Commonwealth Ave, Suite B18)
    This workshop invites first-gen students to reflect on the many identities that encompass who they are (e.g., nationality, ethnicity, class), and how those identities influence their sense of self and how they’re perceived in the world. Human beings are simultaneously individuals and members of communities, and this workshop will encourage participants to reflect on this active dynamic in their own lives.  Facilitated & sponsored by BU Student Wellbeing.

Thursday, November 10th:

  • 12-1:30PM:  First-gen Thursday for Grad & Professional Students (BU Medical Campus) (Hiebert Lounge, 14th flr INS Bldg, 72 E Concord St.)
    Join the Newbury Center for an extra-special First-Gen Thursday extravaganza in honor of National First-Gen College Celebration Week! Drop in for free lunch with your fellow first-gen graduate and professional students. We will be giving away all kinds of Newbury Center swag, including free Terrier F1RSTS t-shirts to celebrate being a first-gen in style. Stop by so we can celebrate you! Supplies are limited so be sure to REGISTER!
  • 2:30-3:30PM: BU First-gen Faculty & Staff Virtual Cafe (Zoom)  We invite BU staff and faculty who identify as first-generation professionals to join the virtual conversations cafe where you can share perspectives and insights and bring your curiosities forward in service of learning and being in community with others.  We will explore how we navigate the many resources BU offers, from the ABCs…of benefits to community resources.  Geni Rose, Asst. Director, Benefits, and Majella Dermody, Senior Manager of the HR Service Center, will join us to help dispel the myths and share resources and tools to support you as you navigate all the great resources offered at BU.  To register, click here.  (Open only to BU Faculty and Staff)
  • 6-7:30PM:  Tri-Alpha National Honor Society Induction Ceremony (By Invitation Only–Livestream available here)

Friday, November 11th:

Monday, November 7th:

  • 9:30AM-11:00AM: Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Students First-gen Fuel Up (CAS Rm 200, 725 Commonwealth Ave)“First Gen Fuel Up” Come by Room 200 at GRS to kick off the week right with some coffee and breakfast treats. Meet your fellow first-gen students! Swing by or stay and chat. All first-gen students are welcome and encouraged to attend. Don’t know if you are considered first-gen? Here’s how BU defines it:First -gen graduate/professional student: A student who is in the first-generation of their families to pursue an advanced degree (i.e., a student whose parents/guardians/caregivers did not earn a master’s, doctorate, or professional degree, such as a JD or MD). (Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Students only) Please REGISTER HERE on EventBrite so we’ll know how many goodies to get!

Tuesday, November 8th:

  • 1:00PM-2:00PM:  School of Public Health “I am First to…” First-Generation Celebratory Campaign (Talbot Building Lobby) Graduate Student Life invites members of the BUSPH community to let us know what makes them First-generation.  We aim to showcase that while we might be “the First”, we are certainly not alone!  Join us and get your photo taken with your First! Boston University defines first generation in two ways: Undergraduate A student whose parents/guardians/caregivers did not earn bachelor’s degrees, although elder siblings and cousins may be attending college already or have earned four-year degrees. Graduate & Professional A student whose parents/guardians/caregivers did not earn a master’s, doctorate, or professional degree, such as a JD or MD. (School of Public Health Students only)
  • 12:00PM-1:30PM:  College of Engineering Coffee Break (In front of 44 Cummington Mall) Grab a cup of coffee or tea and a cookie and chat with some of the staff from the Undergraduate Programs and Career Development Offices. We’ll be right outside, so stop by! (College of Engineering Students only)

Wednesday, November 9th:

  • 5:30-7:00PM: Questrom School of Business Connection and Conversation – Tips for Success (HAR 418, 595 Commonwealth Ave)  A panel of first-generation students, staff, and faculty followed by networking and refreshments. (Questrom School of Business students and those taking Questrom Courses, only)

Thursday, November 10th:

  • 9:00AM-5:00PM:  Goldman School of Dental Medicine Coffee, Tea, & Treats (G158, GSDM, 635 Albany St)  GSDM Student Affairs invites our first-gen undergrad, grad, and professional students for coffee, tea, and treats! Treats will be available beginning at 9am, so be sure to visit our suite in G-158 while supplies last! We will also be showcasing our first-gen students in a social media campaign, so follow GSDM on Instagram at @budental to learn more about the first-gen dental student experience! (Goldman School of Dental Medicine Students only)
  • 1:00PM-2:00PM:  Communi-teas with SPH First-Gen Students (Talbot Building, 106E)  SPH Graduate Student Life is inviting all First-Gen students for an opportunity to build communi-tea! Join us to celebrate you and your accomplishments in this safe space. Lunch will be provided.  (School of Public Health Students only)
  • 5:00PM:  Doctoral Students Organization First-Gen Celebratory Dinner (Talbot Building, Board Room)  Graduate Student Life is celebrating First-Generation doctoral students. Prior registration is required and dinner will be provided. Please contact Samantha Schildroth sschildr@bu.edu for further information.  (School of Public Health Students only)

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