10th Annual
First-Generation Graduate Student Symposium
February 26, 2027 | Virtual
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Join Us!
Join the Boston University Newbury Center and The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Carolina Grad Student F1RSTS, along with our Cooperating Sponsor, FirstGen Forward, for our 10th annual symposium for graduate and professional students on February 26, 2027 via Zoom. This national symposium is open to any student who identifies as a current first-generation graduate or professional student and is studying any discipline. We define a first-generation graduate/professional student as someone whose parents, guardians, or caregivers have not completed an advanced degree, e.g. master’s, doctoral, or professional degree (like a JD or MD).
Purpose
This virtual symposium is exclusively for current first-generation graduate and professional students. While we greatly value the support of administrators, faculty, and staff, we kindly ask that registration be reserved for students due to the limited capacity of this event.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
Call for Programs
We invite the first-gen graduate & professional student community, as well as professionals who support them, to contribute your insights and best practices to this year's symposium. Call for programs is now open until November 16, 2026.
What We’re Looking For:- Examples of initiatives that support the 8 dimensions of wellness amongst first-gen graduate & professional students.
- Innovative programs or models relating to career readiness, financial literacy, and role navigation as a student and professional.
- Insights and lessons learned from supporting first-gen graduate and professional students.
Call for First-Gen Student Stories
Are you a first-generation graduate or professional student with a story to share?
We welcome first-gen graduate and professional student narrative submissions to be featured during the 10th Annual First-generation Graduate and Professional Student Symposium. Call for stories is now open until November 16, 2026.
Submissions should be 3–4-minute personal narrative about your first-gen journey through graduate or professional education. Share a meaningful moment, experience, or lesson that reflects your first-gen journey.
Registration
Registration for this symposium is free for all graduate and professional students. Once registration is open, you will submit the form below. You will receive email confirmation of your registration including access to the event page. Registration is free for current first-generation graduate and professional students.
Registration will be open from October 12, 2026 until February 23, 2027.
Keynote Panel
Moderator
Anthony Abraham Jack, Ph.D.
Boston University Newbury Center Inaugural Faculty Director
Associate Professor, Wheelock College of Education & Human Development
Lessons Learned: Navigating the First-gen Grad Student Journey
Panelists
Doctoral Student
Basil Adamah
Boston University
Ph.D. Candidate
Kayla Fernando
Duke University
