First-Generation Students
Eau Claire welcomes you
What does it mean to be a First Generation Student?
First-generation students can come from families with low incomes, or from middle- or higher-income families without a college-going tradition. Some have parents who support their plans for higher education; others are under family pressure to enter the workforce right after high school. Often these students don't know what their options are regarding higher education, and they may have fears about going to college and misconceptions about college and its costs. These students may come from families who speak languages other than English at home or from cultures outside the United States with different education systems. (Adapted from https://professionals.collegeboard.org/guidance/prepare/first-generation)
Celebrating our First Generation Students
Each year, the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire joins other universities across the country in recognizing students on November 8th, during National First-Generation College Celebration Day.
The day commemorates the Higher Education Act of 1965, which included initiatives for low-income and first-generation college students.
UWEC's First Generation Celebration | November 7 - November 11, 2022
We cordially invite you to join us in celebrating First Generation Student Week! Check out our series of events throughout the week – everyone is welcome! Registration is not required unless noted below.
Monday, November 7
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Faculty, Staff, Student and Alumni Breakfast and Networking Event (registration required) 7:30am-9am | Davies Center, Dakota Ballroom Our kickoff event for First Generation Student Week Celebration that includes an administrator welcome, networking and an alumnus sharing their story of being a first-generation college student at UW-Eau Claire. Includes breakfast. |
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First Generation Students Involved in Collaborative Research Poster Session 8:30am-9:30am | Davies Center, 3rd Floor Stop by after the breakfast to check out this poster session! |
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Helping Ensure First-Generation Student Success at UW-Eau Claire (workshop/panel) 10am-11am | Vicki Lord Larson Hall 1142 (CETL) A panel of staff and students will share stories of their lived experiences as first-generation college students, lessons learned, experiences—good and bad, and how to be a First-Generation ally at UWEC. Participants will have the opportunity to process ideas in pairs and/or with the whole group. |
Tuesday, November 8
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First Generation Spirit Day! All Day – both campuses Wear your First Generation shirts to help celebrate the day as an entire campus! |
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First Generation Faculty and Staff Panel 10am | Centennial Hall 1804 Faculty and staff will share their stories of their college experience as the first person in their families to graduate from college. |
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Campus Department Open House Celebrations 10am-2pm | See specific locations below. Departments across campus will be hosting open houses where students may drop in, grab some refreshments, and participate in fun activities geared toward understanding more about first generation students. Stop by any office between 10-2pm to learn more! Participating departments for 2022:
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Barron County Campus Open House 12:15pm-1:15pm | Student Center, Rice Lake Campus Join us in celebrating our first generation college students by attending our mix and mingle event! This event will offer an open house, an informal Q & A session with first generation faculty, staff, and students, and cake! You won’t want to miss it! |
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First Generation Faculty and Staff Panel 1pm-2pm | Centennial Hall 1804 Faculty and staff will share their stories of their college experience as the first person in their families to graduate from college. |
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First Generation Abroad 4pm-5pm | Davies Center, Ho Chunk 320E Join First Generation students as they share their experience navigating the study abroad experience. Refreshments will be provided. The event is sponsored by the Council on Internationalization and Global Engagement. |
Thursday, November 10
Helping Ensure First-Generation Student Success at UW-Eau Claire (workshop/panel)
3:30pm-4:30pm | Vicki Lord Larson Hall 1142 (CETL)
A panel of staff and students will share stories of their lived experiences as first-generation college students, lessons learned, experiences—good and bad, and how to be a First-Generation ally at UWEC. Participants will have the opportunity to process ideas in pairs and/or with the whole group.