Join us for a week of celebration, fun, and new opportunities for first-gen students and supporters! Some events will require you to sign up—so be sure to check out the daily line up below and save the dates for the events you plan to attend.
Darla Moore School of Business Office of Access, Opportunity and Community Engagement
Darla Moore School of Business Undergraduate Programs
Division of Access, Civil Rights, and Community Engagement
First-Generation Center
Graduation and Retention Network (GARNET)
Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing William F. Bloking First Generation
Scholars Fund
New Student Orientation
Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships
Student Success Center
TRIO Programs
Arnold School of Public Health
Career Center
College of Social Work
Counseling and Psychology Services
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Division of Communications and Marketing
Education Abroad
First-Generation Living and Learning Community
First-Gen Student Advisory Board (SAB)
Gamecock Entertainment
GARNET
Leadership & Service Center
McCausland College of Arts &Sciences, Office of Undergraduate Studies
Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing Student Org
Office of Fellowships & Scholar Program
Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships
Office of Undergraduate Research
Student Affairs & Academic Affairs Communications and Marketing
Student Success Center – Undergrad & Grad
Tri Alpha Honor Society
University Advising Center
Julia Ballou, Center for Integrative and Experiential Learning
Shannon Blake-Lynch, School of Journalism
LaNae Budden, First-Gen Center
Allan Cabanayan, First-Gen Student Advisory Board
Lenyx Coviak, First-Gen Student
Khristina DeLorenzo, Office of Access and Opportunity
Kelly DeShazo, Graduation & Retention Network
Kimberly Dressler, Carolina Experience Office
Tharangi Fernando, Student Success Center
Elizabeth Gloria, Athletics
Katie Hodapp, New Student Orientation
Samantha Kohlmann, First-Gen Student Advisory Board
Tricia Kramer, Office of Undergraduate Research
Melissa Kupfer, First-Gen Center
Rhonda Laylo, Division of Student Affairs
Jared Logan, Office of New Student Orientation
Kayla Major, Graduation and Retention Network
Brian McCaster, Molinaroli College of Engineering & Computing
Shalaia Myers, First-Gen Student Advisory Board
Dawayne Nettles, TRIO Programs
Angie Orozco-Rico, First-Gen Student Advisory Board
Stephon Porter, Career Center
Michael Stovall, Athletics
Shana Watson, Engineering & Computing Living and Learning Community
Paulia Williams, TRIO Programs
Jasmine Williamson, TRIO Programs
🗓️ print/download the calendar of events
Sign up to kick off First-Gen week celebrations at the First-Gen Center as we host a FREE drop-in breakfast!
Take a photo with our instant camera and add your photo to our First-Gen collage!
📍 Maxcy College (1332 Pendleton St.)
⏰ 9 - 10:30 a.m.
Join us for an inspiring evening with professionals from Dominion Energy, Enterprise Mobility, and City Year as they share their journeys, challenges, and career advice.
Panel: 5-6 p.m. | Networking Reception: 6-7 p.m.
Connect directly with employers, explore career and internship opportunities, and build meaningful professional connections in a supportive, first-gen-friendly space.
📍 Maxcy College (1332 Pendleton St.)
⏰ 5 - 7 p.m.
November 2-10, the First-Gen Student Advisory Board will be collecting non-perishable
food items for the Gamecock CommUnity Shop!
Drop off your donations at the boxes found at:
Maxcy College Lobby
Russell House
Thomas Cooper Library
Coker Life Sciences Building
Arnold School of Public Health
Barnwell College
Darla Moore School of Business
Or donate online through the Gamecock CommUnity Shop's Amazon Wishlist!
Stop by and grab some Arnold School of Public Health (ASPH) swag and see why first-gen students matter in the Arnold School! No registration required.
📍 PHRC Atrium, 2nd Floor
⏰ 9:30 - 11:55 a.m.
RSVP to celebrate students, faculty, staff, and alumni who will be recognized for their unique contributions to first-gen students at USC and beyond!
📍 Capstone Campus Room
⏰ 5:30 - 7 p.m.
Register for a free, professional headshot — perfect for LinkedIn, Handshake, or your resume! Sign up for a specific time to meet with a photographer.
📍 USC Horseshoe
⏰ Time slots available between 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Curious about grad school? Join us for an evening of grad school info just for first-gen students as we talk about:
📍 Booker T. Washington Auditorium
⏰ 5:45 - 7p.m.
Register to learn more about undergraduate research and see where to start with the Office of Undergraduate Research.
FREE food will be provided during this lunch hour presentation!
📍 Maxcy College (1332 Pendelton St.)
⏰ 12 - 1 p.m.
This event is designed to uplift and celebrate the voices of first-generation college students, offering a supportive platform for them to share their stories, experiences, and artistic expressions. Through spoken word, poetry, storytelling, and visual art, students will highlight themes of resilience, strength, empowerment, and hope.
Jukwan Brooks is an, entrepreneur, author, and poet from Thomson, GA. Recently, he
just released his second novel “The Adventures of a High School Scholar”. From being
a High School Dropout at 15, GED graduate at 17, and graduating from College at 20.
Jukwan is living proof that no matter where you come from or been through in life
you can be successful.
Also recognized as SelahthePoet, Monifa Lemons began her poetic journey in Columbia,
SC in the late 90s. Both Spoken Word Artist and Host at various venues. Monifa, former
Executive Director of The Watering Hole Poetry Organization, has always been committed
to nurturing the journey of artists from all disciplines. She currently facilitates
workshops on writing and intentional creation with teens and her work can be found
in various publications. Monifa is currently working on her entrepreneurial dreams
as Coffee Roaster and Co-Owner at Haiku Coffee 575. A company she opened in Fall 2020
along with her four daughters.
Light refreshments, including cookies, coffee, and tea, will be provided.
📍 Russell House Underground
⏰ 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Come enjoy food, fun and community while connecting with campus resources that are here to support YOU. Don’t miss this end-of-week celebration! No registration required.
📍 Greene Street*
*Rain location: Russell House Ballroom
⏰ 12 p.m. - 2 p.m.
We're looking forward to seeing you at our Meet & Greet events—and on our socials! Let's celebrate first-gen all week long!
