Events & Signature Programs

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Are you part of the first generation in your family to attend a four-year university? Are you looking to connect with supportive resources and the first-gen community on campus? Join us! All planned activities are free to attend with food/snacks often provided.

Have a topic or collaboration idea to share? Reach out to the First Generation Student Initiatives team at firstgen@illinois.edu.
 

Proud to Be First-Gen Series - Fall 2024

First Gen Destress Event 12.04.2024 - LAS Hub 1st floor 4pm

December 4: First Gen Finals Week Destress Event

Hosted in collaboration with the College of LAS

 

First Gen A&M FAFSA Drop-in Workshop 12.2 4pm OVCDEI 3070

December 2: FAFSA Workshop with Illinois Student Assistance Commission 

Led by TJC Advising & Mentoring

  • Date: December 2, 2024
  • Time: 4pm-6pm  
  • Location: OVCDEI 3070, 3rd Floor, 614 E. Daniel St. Champaign, IL 6120
  • Registration link:  https://forms.illinois.edu/sec/1100801041
    Seeing this after the workshop? Additional drop-in hours available on Tuesday, Dec. 3rd - 12pm-3pm at 1203 W. Nevada St., Urbana, IL 61801. Free to attend, open to all students!

    FAFSA Workshop Flyer 
Photo flyer of main quad with students walking. Garden walk and activity scheduled 10.16.2024  4pm-5:30pm Lincoln Avenue Residence Hall Lobby

October 16: Interactive Garden Walk & Activity Session

Hosted in collaboration with Pam Leiter (College of ACES)

Two students attending course lecture and smiling at camera.

October 9: Your Story, Your Voice: Amplifying Personal Experiences Through Zines

Hosted in collaboration with Maria Emerson (University Library)

October 2 First gen series event - Career Planning and The Career Center - 4pm Student Arcade Building Conference Room

October 2: Making the Most of The Career Center for Career Planning

Hosted in collaboration with The Career Center

Whether you are exploring majors and careers, looking for experience on and off campus, or considering graduate or professional school, The Career Center is here every step of the way. In collaboration with TJC First Generation Student Initiatives, this workshop is tailored to address the unique professional experiences of first generation college students.

  • Date: October 2, 2024
  • Time: 4pm CST  
  • Location: Student Arcade Building, Conference Room, 715 S. Wright Street, Champaign, IL 61820
  • Registration link: N/A, Free food provided. 

First Gen Career Center Flyer

First Gen Families Welcome Webinar

September 25: Welcome Webinar for First Gen Families

Hosted in collaboration with New Student and Family Experiences

New Student & Family Experiences is here to help students and their families as they begin their journey at Illinois. In collaboration with TJC First Generation Student Initiatives, we welcome you to join us for a free webinar that will offer guidance for families that have a student who will be among the first generation in their family to graduate with a bachelor’s degree.

First Gen Families Webinar Flyer

Flyer for First Gen Resource Fair Event - Main Library Scholarly_Media Commons. 2pm-4pm Open to all students, all majors.

September 12: First Gen Campus Resource Fair

Hosted in collaboration with University Library 

Is this your first semester on campus? Looking into your options for financial aid or off-campus living? Well, we have a community of support that is ready and eager to meet you! Back by popular demand, join us at our upcoming welcome/resource fair event which will feature units such as the Office of Student Financial Aid, Off-Campus Community Living,  Chez Veterans Center, First-Gen. Student Initiatives, Counseling Center, free giveaway prizes & more!

  • Date: September 12, 2024
  • Time: 2-4pm CST  
  • Location: Main Library, Scholarly/Media Commons 220, 2nd floor, 1408 W. Gregory Drive, Urbana, IL 61801
  • Registration link: N/A
  • Light refreshments will be provided.

    First Gen Campus Resource Fair Flyer (png)
Flyer for Prioritizing Selfcare & Wellness Event - Spurlock Museum, 1st floor   Collaboration with Spurlock Museum, The Black Joy Project, and McKinley Health Center. 4pm-6pm Open to all students, all majors.

September 4: Prioritizing Self Care & Wellness

Hosted in collaboration with Spurlock Museum, The Black Joy Project, and McKinley Health Center

Take a break from your busy schedule for a free wellness event! Our Proud to be First Gen series event is your perfect chance to meet new friends, tour the museum, pick up some self-care giveaways, and learn about supportive wellness resources on campus. No RSVP required. 

  • Date: September 4, 2024
  • Time: 4-6pm CST (Brief welcome remarks at 4:30pm)
  • Location: Spurlock Museum, 1st Floor, 600 S. Gregory Street, Urbana, IL 61801
  • Registration link: N/A
  • Light refreshments will be provided - While Supplies Last-
     

Self care & Wellness Flyer (png) 

First Generation Research Scholars Program - Spring 2025

The First-Gen Scholars Research Program (FGSRP) at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign offers first-generation college students eligible for federal work-study the opportunity to participate in meaningful and high-impact research.

Join us for an upcoming information session! 
 

Event flyer 10.11.2024 2pm Zoom information session for First Gen Scholars Research Program

October 11: First Gen Scholars Research Program Information Session (Virtual)

Hosted in collaboration with the Office of Undergraduate Research 

Event flyer 10.24.2024 2pm In-person information session for First Gen Scholars Research Program

October 24: First Gen Scholars Research Program Information Session (In-person)

Hosted in collaboration with the Office of Undergraduate Research 

Panamá Study Abroad - Spring Break 2025

Panama Study abroad program informational flyer - spring 2025

Bridging Sustainable and Personal Development Goals in Panamá City

  • Course: ACES 298 | 3 credits | Spring 2025
  • Enrollment: CRN 11708 | Instructor approval required | Must be part of Panamá 2025 cohort

Embark on an educational journey to Panamá, where you're immerse yourself in sustainable development practices, engage with local communities, and discover what it means to be an ethical traveler and a global, sustainability-minded professional.

This program is open to first-generation undergraduate students in any major who are served by the Jeffries Center (formerly OMSA) and Scholar Support Programs.

Thanks to generous financial support from the Jeffries Center and Scholar Support Programs, international airfare, lodging, activities, transportation, some meals, international insurance, emergency response, and on-site support will be covered. 

Application:
Closed


Applications for Panamá 2025 were due by September 2, 2024.
 

Seeing this after our application deadline? Still interested study abroad? Check out your full array of program options through this searchable database (https://app.studyabroad.illinois.edu) and a college-specific list of study abroad offices (https://studyabroad.illinois.edu/college-study-abroad-offices.html).
 

Panamá Study Abroad 2025 Flyer (png)