UAF kicks off First-Gen College Student celebration week Nov. 8
November 2, 2020
On Sunday, Nov. 8, UAF will kick off its annual First-Gen Week celebration. This year's
events include virtual panel discussions, faculty training, a movie screening and
more in recognition of first-generation students. The date marks the 55th anniversary
of the signing of the 1965 Higher Education Act, which has helped millions of first-generation, low-income or under-resourced
students persist to degree completion.
“First-Gen Week is an opportunity to celebrate all of our students, staff and faculty
who were or are the first in their family to pursue a bachelor’s degree," said Jo
Malbert Narváez, UAF diversity and inclusion coordinator. "It is important to acknowledge
our first-gen students’ efforts and validate their experiences, especially when continuing
their education is so challenging in the midst of a pandemic. I hope to see the UAF
community come together to uplift our first-generation community.”
With the 2020 national celebration falling on a Sunday, students, faculty and staff
can
engage in a weeklong celebration beginning Sunday, Nov. 8, and ending Friday, Nov. 13.
This year UAF Student Support Services, Nanook Diversity and Action Center, EPSCoR Fire and Ice, UAF Department of Military and Veterans Services and UAA Student Support Services have partnered on the week's events.
"Academic disruptions resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic place the futures of many
first-generation students in a precarious state," said Maureen Hoyler, president of
the Council
for Opportunity in Education. "However, in 2020, resilient campuses and communities
are overcoming challenges and finding renewed strength each day. Now more than ever
it's critical we use this celebration to recommit to supporting, nurturing and encouraging
the outstanding potential that exists within so many first-generation students."
For more information, email Victoria Smith at vrsmith@alaska.edu or Ronnie Houchin at rshouchin@alaska.edu.