April 30: Finals Week De-Stress Event

• Date: April 30, 2025
• Time: 6pm-8pm 
• Location: FGSI Office, Suite 410 - 4th Floor, Turner Student Services Building, 610 E. John Street, Champaign, IL 61820
• Registration encouraged, not required: go.illinois.edu/firstgenseries
  Join us for a self-care event before finals week! The FGSI team will provide snacks and art activities. You'll also have an opportunity to meet other first-gen students! Come alone or bring some friends and stay as long as you like. RSVP is encouraged but not required. 
  
  Finals Week De-stress & Self-care Event Flyer
   

April 7: Yeah I Said It, I Really Don't Like My Major with the Shelly Ambassador Program

• Date: April 7, 2025
• Time: 4:30pm 
• Location: BNAACC (1212 W Nevada St. Urbana, IL, 61801)

• An Evening of networking to get you on track to make those "major decisions". Hosted by Jeffries Center Advising & Mentoring and First Generation Student Initiative

• Registration link: go.illinois.edu/JeffriesStudentConvos
  
  Flyer

March 26: Finding Your Authentic Voice as a First-Generation College Student

Hosted in collaboration with the Speakers Workshop

• Date: March 26, 2025
• Time: 4pm-6pm
• Location: Main Library 106 B Conference Room (1408 W. Gregory Dr. Urbana, IL 61801)
• Registration encouraged, not required: go.illinois.edu/firstgenseries

Topics include:

• Navigating the terrain of academic life
• Activities and hands-on practice to build confidence with class presentations, research presentations, group meetings, and other public speaking contexts

Option for online participation. Food provided for in-person attendees. Food is served first-come, first-served!

Finding Your Authentic Voice as a First-Generation College Student Flyer

March 12: First Gen Lunch @ Gies Event

Hosted by Gies College of Business Undergraduate Affairs, Gies College of Business Grad Programs

• Date: March 12, 2025
• Tentative time: 12 PM-1PM 
• Location: Business Instructional Facility 515 East Gregory Drive, Champaign, IL 61820
• Registration required: Please email access@business.illinois.edu to confirm your attendance. 
  Gies College is inviting its First Generation students to be in community over a lunch program. Please be sure to register in advance so we know to save you a seat! 

February 19: Unlocking Internship Opportunities as a First Generation Student

Hosted in collaboration with The Career Center's FOCUS Program Lead

• Date: February 19, 2025
• Time: 4pm-5pm 
• Location: Career Center Conference Room (715 S. Wright Street, Champaign IL 61820) 
• Registration link: go.illinois.edu/firstgenseries
  
  Still exploring options for summer break? Not sure how to apply for summer internships? Please join FGSI and The Career Center on how to apply for summer internships and build professional development as first-gen students. Open to all, food is available first come, first served.
  
  Unlocking Internship Opportunities Event Flyer

February 14: From Small Town to the Big City, Rural Students Finding Community & Resources on Campus

Hosted in collaboration with the Division of General Studies (Division of Exploratory Studies, Fall 2025)

• Date: February 14, 2025
• Time: 11:30am-1pm
• Location: Campus Center for Advising & Academic Services, (Illini Bookstore), 807 S. Wright St. Room 514 (5th Floor)
• Registration encouraged, not required: go.illinois.edu/firstgenseries

Join us! Come join FSGI and Speaker Emma Kirby for our special discussion on the experiences of rural students! We will discuss forming community and exploring resources on campus. We will also learn more about Rural Area Student Initiative, a registered student organization.

Open to all students. Food is served first-come, first-served!

From Small Town to the Big City, Rural Students Finding Community & Resources on Campus Flyer

February 7: Navigating Academic Life and Presentations as a First-Generation Graduate Student

Hosted in collaboration with Speakers Workshop

• Date: February 7, 2025
• Time: 12pm-2pm
• Location: Main Library Room 106 B Conference Room (1408 W. Gregory Dr. Urbana, IL 61801)
• Registration encouraged, not required: go.illinois.edu/firstgenseries

Topics include:

• Preparing for and participating in conferences.
• Understanding the culture of awards.
• Research and poster presentations.

Option for online participation. Food provided for in-person attendees. Food is served first-come, first-served!

Navigating Academic Life and Presentations as a First-Generation Graduate Student Flyer

January 29: First Gen Resource Fair

Hosted in collaboration with the University Library 

• Date: January 29, 2025
• Time: 4pm-6pm    
• Location: Main Library - Media Commons Room 220 - 2nd Floor 
• Registration link: N/A
• Join us to learn more about these amazing units: The Career Center, Chez Veterans Center, Counseling Center, Office of Financial Aid, Grainger Library IDEA Lab, Off-Campus Community Living, New Student & Family Experiences, Office of Undergraduate Research, Writers Workshop, Speakers Workshop, and McKinley Health Center- Health Education. Free giveaways and food available, while supplies last!
  
  First Gen Resource Fair Flyer

December 4: First Gen Finals Week Destress Event

Hosted in collaboration with the College of LAS

• Date: December 4, 2024
• Time: 4pm-6pm    
• Location: LAS Hub, Lincoln Hall, 1st Floor 
• Last event of the semester! Featuring an intro to the LAS Hub space and free mini canvas painting. Snacks provided while supplies last.
  
  First Gen Finals Week Destress Flyer

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
• 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 

October 16: Interactive Garden Walk & Activity Session

Hosted in collaboration with Pam Leiter (College of ACES)

• Date: October 16, 2024
• Time: 4pm CST  
• Location: LAR Lobby, 1005 S. Lincoln Ave. Urbana, IL 61801  
  
  Garden Walk & Activity Flyer 

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

Hosted in collaboration with Maria Emerson (University Library)

• Date: October 9, 2024
• Time: 4pm CST  
• Location: Main Library, 1408 W. Gregory Dr. Urbana, IL 61801 - Room 106
  
  Free food provided. First Gen Zine Event flyer

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
  First Gen Career Center Flyer

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.

• Date: September 25, 2024
• Time: 7pm CST  
• Location: Zoom
  (Zoom call details will be auto-emailed to you)
  First Gen Families Webinar Flyer

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
  Light refreshments will be provided.
  First Gen Campus Resource Fair Flyer (png)

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
  Light refreshments will be provided - While Supplies Last-
  Self care & Wellness Flyer (png) 

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! 
 

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

Hosted in collaboration with the Office of Undergraduate Research 

• Date: October 11, 2024
• Time: 2pm-3pm CST  
• Location: Zoom 
• Details & How to Register: go.illinois.edu/FirstGenResearch
  
  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 

• Date: October 24, 2024
• Time: 1pm-2pm CST  
• Location: Wohlers Hall, Room 130
• Details & How to Register: go.illinois.edu/FirstGenResearch
  
  First Gen Scholars Research Program 

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. 

Panamá Study Abroad 2025 Flyer (png)