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.
Have a topic or collaboration idea to share? Reach out to the First Generation Student Initiatives team at firstgen@illinois.edu.
Spring 2026 programs are on the way. Check back later for our updated schedule!
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
July 31: Graduate Community Group & Open Art Hours
- Date: July 31, 2025
- Time: 1pm-3pm
- Location Change: TJC Academic Services Program - 1103 W. Oregon, St. Urbana, IL 61801
*Due to scheduled building maintenance, our event location is in Urbana - 1st floor entrance, directly to the right of Dubai Grill's entrance door.
Are you staying on campus over the summer? Hang out at the FGSI office to meet other First Gen graduate students. Bring your laptop to do work or grab an art activity to relax. Light snacks will be provided. Registration not required.
Summer 2025 Flyer
July 24: Graduate Community Group & Open Art Hours
- Date: July 24, 2025
- Time: 1pm-3pm
- Location Change: FGSI Office, Suite 410 - 4th Floor, Turner Student Services Building, 610 E. John Street, Champaign, IL 61820
Are you staying on campus over the summer? Hang out at the FGSI office to meet other First Gen graduate students. Bring your laptop to do work or grab an art activity to relax. Light snacks will be provided. Registration not required.
Summer 2025 Flyer
July 17: Graduate Community Group & Open Art Hours
- Date: July 17, 2025
- Time: 1pm-3pm
- Location Change: FGSI Office, Suite 410 - 4th Floor, Turner Student Services Building, 610 E. John Street, Champaign, IL 61820
Are you staying on campus over the summer? Hang out at the FGSI office to meet other First Gen graduate students. Bring your laptop to do work or grab an art activity to relax. Light snacks will be provided. Registration not required.
Summer 2025 Flyer
July 10: Graduate Community Group & Open Art Hours
- Date: July 10, 2025
- Time: 1pm-3pm
- Location Change: FGSI Office, Suite 410 - 4th Floor, Turner Student Services Building, 610 E. John Street, Champaign, IL 61820
Are you staying on campus over the summer? Hang out at the FGSI office to meet other First Gen graduate students. Bring your laptop to do work or grab an art activity to relax. Light snacks will be provided. Registration not required.
Summer 2025 Flyer
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
- 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 Initiatives
- 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)
