Proud to be First Gen Series

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. Open to all students, undergrad and graduate. 

 

Summary of Spring 2026 full calendar for Proud to be First Gen Series


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

April 22: First‑Gen Strength: Strategies for Stress, Balance & Growth

  • Date: April 22, 2026
  • Time: 6pm-8pm
  • Location:  Engineering Hall - Conference Room 212
  • Registration: Registration is required go.illinois.edu/firstgenseries.

    Take a deep breath and join us for “First‑Gen Strength: Strategies for Stress, Balance & Growth,” a grounding and empowering wellness workshop led by the Counseling Center. This session is designed to help students navigate high‑pressure moments and environments. During this workshop, you’ll learn practical, easy-to-use techniques to help you stay centered when life feels overwhelming. Dinner provided. 

    First Gen Strength Flyer - 04.22.2026
     

April 1: Celebrating First Gen through Dance: Salsa

  • Date: April 1, 2026
  • Time: 6pm-8pm
  • Location:  Illini Union Room 103
  • Registration: Pre-registration at go.illinois.edu/firstgenseries. Separate signed waiver is required to participate. 

    An event dedicated to movement, music, and community! Come learn the basics of Salsa, unwind before the last few weeks of the semester, and celebrate what it means to be first‑gen. No dance experience needed! Just bring your energy, your friends, and get ready to de‑stress and have a great time!

    Celebrate First Gen through Dance Flyer - 04.01.2026

March 25: Pre‑Health Roadmap for First‑Gen Students

  • Date: March 25, 2026
  • Time: 6pm-8pm
  • Location:  The Career Center - Resource Center Room 107
  • Registration: Registration is required go.illinois.edu/firstgenseries.

    This workshop will provide an overview of the pre‑health process, offering tools to help first‑generation students understand academic requirements, experiential expectations, and the application timeline for various health professions. Attendees will also hear from a panel of current first‑generation pre‑health students, who will discuss their personal experiences, challenges, and strategies for success across different pre‑health fields. Hosted in collaboration with The Career Center.

    Prehealth Roadmap Flyer - 03.25.2026

February 11: First Gen Recharge: A Night of Wellness & Connection

  • Date: February 11, 2026
  • Time: 6pm-8pm
  • Location:  FGSI Office - 4th Floor - Turner Student Services Building (610 E. John Street, Champaign, IL 61820)
  • Registration: Seating is limited. Registration is required go.illinois.edu/firstgenseries.
    Join us for a cozy, Valentine’s‑themed evening designed to help first‑gen students unwind, reflect, and reconnect with themselves and their community. In collaboration with McKinley Health Center, this self‑care–centered event features journal decorating, wellness and self‑reflection activity sheets, relaxing vibes, and light snacks to help you slow down and practice intentional care.
     
    First Gen Recharge Flyer - 02.11.2026

February 4: Speak Up, Stand Out: A First-Gen Guide to Confident Communication

  • Date: February 4, 2026
  • Time: 6pm-8pm
  • Location:  Lincoln Hall - 1st Floor - Room 1024 (702 S Wright St Suite 2090, Urbana, IL 61801)
  • Registration: Not required.
    In collaboration with the Speaker's Workshop, this session will provide students with interactive speaking activities, confidence building strategies, and communication tools to support their academic and professional journeys. Snacks will be served. Open to all students, undergrad and graduate. 
     
    Speak Up, Stand Out flyer - 02.04.2026

     

January 28: First Gen Resource Fair

  • Date: January 28, 2026
  • Time: 6pm-8pm
  • Location: Orange Room, 1st Floor, Main Library (1408 W. Gregory Dr. Urbana, IL 61801)
  • Registration: Not Required.

    Are you a first-gen student looking for ways to connect to campus? Join us for the Spring 2026 First-Gen Resource Fair!  Invited campus partners include: Office of Student Financial Aid, The Career Center, Writers Workshop, The Leadership Center, McKinley Health Center, The Counseling Center, Illinois Abroad, and more! Food will be served on first come, first served basis.

    First Gen Resource Fair Flyer - 01.28.2026

January 21: First & Focused: A First Gen Vision Board Night

  • Date: January 21, 2026
  • Time: 6pm-8pm
  • Location:  FGSI Office - 4th Floor - Turner Student Services Building (610 E. John Street, Champaign, IL 61820)
  • Registration: Seating is limited. Registration is required go.illinois.edu/firstgenseries.

    Join us for an inspiring evening dedicated to bringing your dreams to life! This creative event gives students the opportunity to design personalized vision boards that reflect their academic, career, and personal goals. Connect with peers, explore your aspirations, and leave with a visual roadmap to keep you motivated throughout the semester.   All materials will be provided—just bring your ideas and enthusiasm!

    Vision Board Night Flyer - 01.21.2026

Event Archive

December 3: Self-care before Finals Week

  • Date: December 3, 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.

    Self-care before Finals Week Flyer

November 19: How to Navigate Family Support and Tensions

  • Date: November 19, 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 candid discussion about navigating family support and tensions. Supportive resources will also be explored. Open to all students, snacks will be provided. 

    Open discussion on family support flyer

October 29:  What Does it Mean to be First-Gen?  

  • Date: October 29, 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

    What does it mean to be the first in your family to attend college? Does it count if I have extended family who went to college? International degrees? Come chat with the FGSI and fellow students on our experiences and what it means to be first gen right before we begin celebrating First Gen @ Illinois Week! Open to all students, snacks will be provided. 

    What does it mean to be First-Gen? flyer 

October 22:  Evening Study Hours at the FGSI Office

  • Date: October 22, 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

    Celebrate Transfer Student Appreciation Week with us! Come hang out, study, and meet new friends at the FGSI office. Open to all students. Snacks will be provided.

    First Gen Transfer Student Study & Hangout flyer

October 15:  First-Gen Family Webinar

  • Date: October 15, 2025
  • Time: 6pm-8pm
  • Location: Virtual

  • Registration required: go.illinois.edu/FirstGenWebinar25

    Hosted in collaboration with New Student and Family Experiences (NSFE). NSFE 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 Family Webinar flyer

October 8:  Hangout & Study @ FGSI!

  • Date: October 8, 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

    Come hang out or study with the FGSI team! Open to all students, snacks will be provided. 

    Study & Hangout flyer

September 10: First Gen Meet & Greet

  • Date: September 10, 2025
  • Time: 6pm-8pm
  • Location: Lincoln Hall Room 1092 (702 S Wright St, Urbana, IL 61801)
  • Registration encouraged, not required: go.illinois.edu/firstgenseries
    Are you the first in your family to attend college? Want to meet other first-gen college students? Join us for a social to meet other first-gen students and explore the first-gen identity. Open to all students and snacks will be provided upon exit from event. 

    First Gen Meet and Greet flyer

September 3: First Gen Resource Fair

  • Date: September 3, 2025
  • Time: 6pm-8pm
  • Location: Main Library Room 106 (1408 W. Gregory Dr. Urbana, IL 61801)
  • Registration encouraged, not required: go.illinois.edu/firstgenseries
    Are you a first-gen student looking for ways to connect to campus? Join us for the Fall 2025 First-Gen Resource Fair! Join us to learn more about these amazing units: Chez Veterans Center, The Career Center, Office of Financial Aid, Off-Campus Community Living, Connie Frank CARE Center, New Student & Family Experiences, Speakers Workshop, Leadership Center, and McKinley Health Center- Health Education. Open to all students. Food is first-come, first-served. 

    First Gen Resource Fair Flyer

September 2: Tips and Tricks for Locating Course Materials

  • Date: September 2, 2025
  • Time: 3pm-4pm
  • Location: Main Library Room 106 (1408 W. Gregory Dr. Urbana, IL 61801)

  • Registration encouraged, not required: go.illinois.edu/firstgenseries

    Are you a first-gen students navigating getting textbooks for the semester but not sure where to start or how to save money? Join the FGSI Team and speaker Maria Emerson, Student Success Librarian, and Evie Cordell, eLearning Librarian, from the Main Library for an interactive workshop on how to find alternatives to full-price textbooks. Open to all students, snacks will be provided. 

    Locating course materials flyer

August 27: First Generation Student Initiatives Open House

  • Date: August 27, 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
    Stop by this open house to check out our study spaces, make some new friends, and get to know the FGSI staff! Open to all students, food will be provided. 

    Open house flyer