Supporting first-gen college students calls for intentional, cross-campus collaboration that connects academic, co-curricular, and community-based support. When departments, colleges, and alumni partners work together, first-gen students benefit from clearer pathways to resources, stronger relationships with faculty and staff, and a greater sense of belonging across the institution. This year’s programming to celebrate and support first-gen students reflected that commitment, spanning multiple days and formats and made possible through broad collaboration across the institution.
The week began with “Can We Really Talk? Pt. 3: What Does Success Look Like for First-Gen Students?”, a light-reading discussion co-hosted by the Center for the Advancement of Teaching (CAT) and the Office of Institutional Diversity, Equity, Advocacy and Leadership (IDEAL). Facilitated by faculty and staff leaders from Temple’s First Scholars Steering Committee, the session invited instructors and staff from across the university to reflect on national research and share insights about how we collectively support first-generation students inside and outside the classroom.
Midweek, the heart of the celebration took place during the First-Generation College Celebration in the Howard Gittis Student Center. This campus-wide gathering centers student joy and visibility, featuring food, music, giveaways, and opportunities to connect with peers and campus partners. The event represented a shared effort to ensure first-gen students feel seen, valued, and celebrated by the broader Temple community. Michelle Tanujaya (Biology, ‘26) shared, “There were so many students and faculty around. There is a sense of community, and it reminds me every year that there are other peers who are also first-generation.” Joyce Mamari (Biology, ‘27) echoed this sentiment:“This [programming] gives us an opportunity to be proud of coming this far and encourages us to keep going.”
Recognizing that first-generation identity spans the full educational journey, the week also included a First-Generation Graduate Student Mixer in Charles Library. This event created space for graduate students to build community, share experiences, and connect across disciplines in an environment designed specifically with their needs in mind.
Bridging Students, Alumni, and Families
Cross-institutional collaboration extends beyond campus offices to include alumni and families as vital partners in student success. “Owls Are Everyone: Breaking Barriers,” presented by the Temple University Alumni Association, brought first-gen alumni together for a virtual panel where they shared personal stories, career insights, and lessons learned. By connecting current students with alumni voices, the event reinforces a powerful message: first-gen students belong at Temple—and beyond.
The week concluded with “Navigating Temple Together: A First-Gen Family Webinar,” a virtual session designed to support families as they guide their students through the college experience. Temple Family Council members and campus partners collaborate to demystify academic support, campus life, and engagement opportunities, strengthening the network that surrounds first-generation students.
A Collective Commitment
Together, these events demonstrate that supporting first-gen students is not the responsibility of one office or program—it is a shared, institutional commitment. Through collaboration across academic departments, student success initiatives, alumni engagement, and family partnerships, Temple University continues to build an environment where first-gen students can thrive.
For more information on Temple’s approach, please visit their website: https://onestop.temple.edu/resources/first-generation-students.
