Explore UAB

National First-Generation College Celebration Day

In 2021, Senator Raphael Warnock from Georgia introduced a bipartisan resolution in support to designate November 8 as National First-Generation College Celebration Day. The resolution passed on November 30, 2021. Each year, UAB stives to add to the tradition of celebrating First-gen Blazers—showcasing our first-generation Blazers’ stories of success, sacrifice, resilience, and change and highlighting their dynamic contributions to our campus and higher education.

Below, you will find a full schedule of the week’s events.

  • First-Gen Book Collection & Display
    Sponsored by UAB Libraries
    Sterne Library
    In collaboration with campus librarians, explore a curated collection of books highlighting first-gen success tips, stories featuring first-gen characters, and works by first-gen authors.

  • Proud to be First! First Gen Celebration Kickoff | 10:00 AM-1:00 PM
    Sponsored by First Blazers
    Hill Student Center, 1st Floor
    Celebrate the start of First Gen Celebration Week! Stop by for giveaways, check out the First-Gen student spotlights, sign the First-Gen Champion Wall, and learn more about events happening throughout the week.

  • First Gen Faculty, Staff, and Student Luncheon | 11:30 AM-1:00 PM
    Sponsored by the Division of Student Affairs
    Hill Student Center Ballrooms
    Join fellow first-gen Blazers for food, networking, and shared stories of success. This year’s luncheon will feature Sid J. Trant, Chancellor of the University of Alabama system, as the keynote speaker.
    *RSVP required for this event

  • Find Your Place: First-Gen Involvement Fair | 12:00 PM
    Sponsored by the UAB Pathfinders
    Hill Student Center Amphitheater
    Starting college as a first-gen student can come with extra questions about where to get involved and how to make connections. This event brings together student organizations, campus departments, and peer mentors to help first-gen Blazers find their fit at UAB.

    First Gen Blazers Abroad 101 | 4:00 PM
    Sponsored by Education Abroad
    Sterne Library, Room 222G
    Interested in studying abroad, but don't know where to start? Come to a Blazers Abroad 101 information session! These sessions are designed to give you all the details about selecting a location, applying for a program, applying for funding, and everything in between. These sessions are hosted by our Peer Ambassadors, so you'll also get their first-hand knowledge of what it's like to study abroad as a UAB student!

    Dinner with 12 Blazers | 6:00 PM
    Sponsored by the UAB Career Center and Alumni Affairs
    UAB Alumni House
    Join us for Dinner with 12 Blazers, a special dinner series connecting first-generation students with accomplished first-generation alumni. During this engaging evening, students will have the opportunity to hear firsthand stories about career journeys, challenges, and successes, while building meaningful connections with alumni who have navigated similar paths. Each dinner will feature 2 alumni and 10 students, providing an intimate setting for conversation, mentorship, and inspiration. Registration is required and seats are limited. Please click here to reserve your seat.

  • Cool to be 1st: Ice Cream Social | 11:00 AM-1:00 PM
    Sponsored by the Division of Student Affairs
    Hill Student Center, 1st floor dining area
    Celebrate First-Gen Week with a sweet treat! Join us for an afternoon of ice cream, music, and connection with fellow first-generation students. Stop by to meet new friends, share your first-gen pride, and snap a photo to commemorate the week—it’s cool to be first!

  • Mental Health First Aid for First Gen Students | 8:30 AM
    Sponsored by Student Counseling Services
    Student Health & Wellness Center, Room, 390
    This full-day training helps you recognize when someone may be facing a mental health or substance use challenge—and how to respond with empathy, confidence, and care.
    Through a blend of self-paced online learning and in-person instruction, you’ll gain practical tools to support peers in crisis, connect them with help, and understand the impact of trauma, substance use, and self-care. You’ll leave equipped to make a difference in someone’s moment of need.

 

Join us and the many universities and colleges celebrating National First-Generation College Celebration Day across the nation. See you the week of November 8th!

 

First Generation College Celebration