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, November 4th | 12:00 pm. - 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 Â鶹´«Ã½. | Monday, November 4th | 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, November 4th | 1:30 p.m. - 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, November 4th | 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, November 4th | 3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. | Hybrid: Microsoft Teams & In-person University Library 352 | Morgan Robinson | mbenso15@kent.edu | Graduate Students |
Tuesday
| Program Name | Description | Date | Time | Location | Contact Person | Contact Email | Audience |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poster Presentation/Resource "Sweet" | The CARES Center is the basic needs hub for the Kent State Community, but what does that mean? Please come by our resource, "Sweet," see what we are doing on campus, and grab a cookie. | Tuesday, November 5th | 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. | KSC 106 Kent Student Center | Janda Roberts | jrobe113@kent.edu | Students Staff & Faculty Alumni |
Wednesday
No events scheduled at this time.
Thursday
| Program Name | Description | Date | Time | Location | Contact Person | Contact Email | Audience |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| I AM FIRST Celebration | During the I AM FIRST celebration, we will celebrate staff, faculty, and advocates for their accomplishments and support of the First-generation student journey. Participants can hear First-generation student testimonials and the keynote address from Dr. Yvonna Washington-Greer, Assistant Vice President in the Division of Student Life. | Thursday, November 7th | 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. | KIVA | Melanie Jones, Adam Cinderich | Students, Staff and Faculty |
Friday
| Program Name | Description | Date | Time | Location | Contact Person | Contact Email | Audience |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Veteran’s Day Celebration | Â鶹´«Ã½â€™s Annual Veterans Day Commemoration: Honoring All Who Serve will be held on Friday, November 8th at 11 a.m. on the Risman Plaza Student Green. Please join us as we recognize those who have served and are serving their nation in the United States Armed Forces. Veterans and service members are invited to attend a luncheon following the commemoration from Noon-1:30 on the second floor of the Student Center. Please go to www.kent.edu/veteransday for up to date information and to RSVP for the luncheon. | Friday, November 8th | 11:00 a.m. | Center for Adult and Veterans Services | Joshua Rider | jrider@kent.edu | Students, Staff, and Faculty |
| Men’s Basketball Game Opener vs. Miami University | In recognition of National First-Generation College Student Celebration Day, a special invitation to all first gen students to attend. Faculty and staff group ticket discounts will be available. | Friday, November 8th | 7:00 p.m. | M.A.C.C. | Suzette McQueen | smcquee1@kent.edu | Students, Staff and Faculty |