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Graduation and Retention Network

  • First-Generation College Celebration Week (November 8-14, 2026)

First-Gen College Celebration Week: November 8-14, 2026

The week is a chance to celebrate all things first-gen! We will have specialized workshops, community events and service opportunities! 
 

First-Gen Spotlights: We want to hear your story!

Are you a first-gen student, faculty, staff, alumnus, or administrator? We want to hear your story.  Complete the First-Gen Spotlight Form.

National First-Gen College Celebrations Day!
Follow us on social media. Who knows, you may even see yourself on our pages! Check us out on Instagram.
Use the #CelebrateFirstGen tag when sharing your photos.
First-Gen Celebrations Week Kick-Off Breakfast
  • Join the First-Gen Center staff as we kick-off First-Gen Celebrations week with a free breakfast. Drop in anytime between 8:30-10:30am. Grab a cup of coffee and stay for connections.
    8:30am-Maxcy
Cooking Class with the College of  Hospitality, Retail, and Sports, Management
  • Join the College of Hospitality, Retail, and Sports Management to learn how to prepare a nutritious meal. Spots are limited, so make sure to register before the  23rd deadline!
    5:30pm-Close Hipp
 Spoken Word and Creative Expressions Night
  • Our 2nd annual Spoken Word & Creative Expressions Night with the Counseling and Psychology Services team is not to be missed. Free coffee and art supplies. Hang out and color, while hearing from fellow first-gen students as they share their stories of resilience and celebrate one another!  
    6:30pm-Russell House Underground
  • You are invited to share your story, poem, artwork, or song.
  • Sign up to reserve your spot on stage.
First-Gen Celebration Hosted by the Arnold School of Public Health
  • Stop by the Arnold School of Public Health to connect for other first-gen students, and grab some swag!
    9:30am-ASPH
Getting Started with Research Workshop with the Office of Undergraduate Research
  • The Office of Undergraduate Research will provide you with a free lunch while you learn about opportunities to get started with research at USC. No prior experience required.
    12pm-Maxcy
  • Registration Requested
First-Gen to Grad School: You Belong Here
  • Learn how graduate education can help you achieve your personal, academic, and career goals. Hear directly from current first-generation graduate students as they share their experiences, challenges, successes, and advice for navigating the path to an advanced degree. Whether you're just beginning to explore your options or seriously considering graduate school, this session will help you learn about graduate education, funding opportunities, the application process, and why you belong in graduate school.
    1:30pm-Maxcy
Emergency Funding Workshop 
  • Peer Coaches from the Student Success Center's Money Management  team will be here to provide you with important emergency funding information. 
    5:30pm-Maxcy
First-Gen Recognition & Awards Ceremony
  • First-Gen students, alumni, as well as first-gen champions will be recognized and celebrated.
    5:30pm-Capstone Campus Room
Coffee & Donuts with the Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing
  • Stop by for free coffee, donuts, and T-shirts while supplies last. Hosted by MCEC First-Gen.
    9am-Swearingen Lobby
Teaching First-Gen Community of Practice
  • Faculty are invited to join the inaguaral meeting of the FIrst-Gen Community of  Practice
    3pm - Maxcy
Mutual Expectations Workshop “Experiential Learning at Carolina”  
  • The Carolina Experience Office is hosting a workshop to  help students intentionally find the bridge between academic studies and activities beyond the classroom. What exactly is experiential learning and what can it look like for you? How can a faculty member help you find these connections? Join this fun discussion with fellow students and faculty!
    Lunch provided with registration.
    11:45-Russell House Room 322
First-Gen Tailgate & Connections Fair
  • Join us on Greene Street for a fun tailgate and connections resource fair. Free food, giveaways, and games. Campus partners will be there to share important information with you! You don't want to miss this!
    12-2pm-Greene Street
Service Saturday with First-Gen Center & LLC
  • Calling all first-gen students, faculty, and staff. We'll wrap up this amazing week with giving back to our USC community. Sign up for Service Saturday
    8:30am check-in @ Russell House

Thank you to our Sponsors!

Community Sponsors

Campus Sponsors

Palmetto Citizens Federal Credit Union  

Palmetto Citizens Federal Credit Union logo

First-Generation Center  

Graduation and Retention Network  

New Student Orientation  


First-Gen Week Sponsorship Opportunities

We are seeking donations and sponsors for First-Gen Week.

Interested in being a sponsor?

Contact Dr. LaNae' Budden, First-Gen Center Director
briggsr@mailbox.sc.edu
803-576-7997


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