For many students, eating in the dining hall is routine. For a commuter student—especially one who is first-generation—it can be a first and sometimes intimidating experience. Without a family roadmap, first-gen students often navigate unwritten rules on their own, from where to eat to how to build professional relationships.
The Office of First-Generation and Student Support Programs at SUNY Old Westbury sponsored Napkins & Networking on November 6, 2025, providing students with the opportunity to connect with faculty and staff over lunch while developing essential networking skills. Held in the Dining Hall, the event was especially meaningful for first-generation students, many of whom are commuters. For some, it marked their first time dining on campus—an experience that symbolized more than just a meal, but access, inclusion, and a growing sense of belonging.
To facilitate connection, students were encouraged to invite a faculty or staff member to lunch. As students expressed interest, many were also nervous about asking a faculty or staff member to join them. Some were unsure whom to invite or how to invite them. To reduce this barrier, the OFGSS reached out to the campus community to ensure that every student who attended had a networking partner. Support and mentorship are not something first-generation students must look for alone.
By hosting the event during the day in a familiar campus space, the program acknowledged the realities of commuter life while opening doors to connection. Faculty and staff participation across departments further demonstrated that first-generation student success is a shared, campus-wide responsibility.
Students engaged in genuine conversations across disciplines, discovering that meaningful connections often appear when expectations are removed. One student reflected that a discussion with their English professor became one of the most thoughtful moments of the day. For first-gen commuter students, inclusion is access to information, relationships, and spaces where they feel they belong. When institutions meet students where they are, even a first meal in the dining hall can become a moment of confidence, connection, and belonging.
For more information on the SUNY Old Westbury’s approach, please visit their website here.
