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by Lisa Enright, Dawna M. Perez, & Tara Payne
University of New Hampshire
University of New Hampshire’s First-Gen Week was full of fun and engaging activities, events, and celebrations across our Durham, Manchester, and College of Professional Studies Online (CPSO) campuses to spotlight the achievements and exciting opportunities ahead for our first-gen students.
First-Gen Kickoff Breakfast
The Manchester campus began the week on Monday, November 4, with a First-Gen Kickoff Breakfast where students enjoyed bagels and iced coffee, while learning about famous first-generation college students and launching UNH Manchester’s new Trailblazers First-Generation College student group, as a way to connect students with their peers and campus resources.
Faculty and Staff Professional Development
On Monday in Durham, we held a live webinar with Dr. Nancy Crimmin in Huddleston Hall titled: “Lunch & Learn: Supporting First-Generation Students” that was attended by a cross-section of faculty and staff and built a foundation for future offerings.
DIY Headshot Photobooth
Manchester’s Career and Professional Success team organized a free DIY Headshot Photobooth throughout the week to encourage students to perfect their LinkedIn photo headshot and celebrate first gen and University of New Hampshire’ Pride all while learning about UNH’s resume writing, interview prep, and career resources and support.
First Generation Student and Alumni Panel Discusses
Members of the faculty and staff at College of Professional Studies Online campus joined students and alumni November 6, for an interactive online session called: "We Got This”: First Generation College Student Stories and Celebration.
The evening session provided an opportunity for students to explore topics including:
- Supporting the next generation of first-generation students
- Offering words of encouragement to prospective students to bolster their confidence; and
- Celebrating their biggest supporters and why they are special.
The effort was promoted and further amplified with social media posts, including one featuring a recent graduate and UNH advisor, Kat Acker.
In Durham, on November 6, UNH Graduate School held a panel on campus: “I’m the First in My Family: First-Generation UNH Graduate Experience” where first-gen graduate students shared their journeys, how being first-gen has affected their experience in graduate school, their challenges, and joyful milestones.
Manchester First-Gen Celebration Luncheon, Thursday, November 7
Our Manchester and CPSO campus communities came together Thursday, November 7, to celebrate first-gen students, staff, faculty. and alumni and acknowledge the hard work of everyone who broke new ground for themselves and their families in pursuing higher education. We enjoyed food, meaningful conversation, and fun activities, including an opportunity for participants to write words of encouragement for first-gen students on leaves which were then displayed on a giving tree after the Celebration. “Don’t be afraid to ask questions,” “You are capable of much more than you think,” and “You’re in very good company. I was a first-gen student and now I’m a professor. Be proud of being first-gen,” are just of a few examples of the sentiments expressed. During the Celebration, we were happy to announce our new Tri-Alpha First Generation Honor Society Chapter, Mu Theta, was officially approved that morning- a truly meaningful way to end the week and recognize the academic achievements of our first-gen students in the spring 2025 semester.
Durham First-Gen College Celebration, Friday, November 8
The Durham campus held a two-hour First-Generation College Celebration where Senator Maggie Hassan gave a stirring speech to attendees along with proclamations from aides from Sen. Jeanne Shaheen’s office, Representative Pappas’s office, and Representative Kuster’s office. Our first-gen UNH president and Tri-Alpha Honor Society member, Elizabeth Chilton, gave an opening address and students, faculty, and staff heard the stories of two first-gen UNH Durham undergraduates Mauricio Fridlund, ’25 and Khushi Patel, ’26. Food, networking, giveaways, and a feisty game of Goose Chase rounded out the afternoon. A fun time was had by all.
For more information on University of New Hampshire's approach, please visit their website here.
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