I AM FIRST Week of Celebration
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Nov. 6-10 is I AM FIRST Week at Kent State! 2023 I AM FIRST events will be posted in October! Throughout the week, we will have a number of programs celebrating students who will be the first in their family to earn a bachelor's degree. In addition to recognizing first-generation students, we will celebrate staff, faculty, and advocates for their accomplishments and support of the First-generation student journey. During the I AM FIRST award's ceremony, participants can sign the I AM FIRST promise banner and hear First-generation student testimonials. Dr. Mandy Munro-Stasiuk, Dean for the College of Arts and Sciences, will be the 2023 keynote speaker. To learn more about Dean Munro-Stasiuk, click on the link below.
Learn More about Dean Munro-Stasiuk
Kent Campus Events
Monday
| Program Name | Description | Date | Time | Location | College/Department | Contact Person | Contact Email |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CCI First Generation Student Shout Out Tabling | Stop by our CCI First Generation Student Shout Out tables during I AM FIRST Week to grab some snacks and free swag! We are so excited to celebrate all of our students who are the first in their families to go to college! | Monday, November 6th | 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. | 3rd Floor, Franklin Hall | College of Communication and Information | AJ Conway | ajconway@kent.edu |
| Supportive Connections & Conversations with First Gen Students | In this interactive, virtual workshop, instructors will learn concrete strategies for supporting First Gen students in their courses by building supportive connections and conversations. | Monday, November 6th | 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | Virtual workshop | Center for Teaching and Learning | Jennifer Marcinkiewicz | jmarcink@kent.edu |
| First Scholars Insights Tool Presentation | This virtual presentation will highlight key findings and recommendations from the Insights Tool report to assist Kent State University with helping more First-generation students reach graduation. To learn more about First Scholars, please visit the website. | Monday, November 6th | 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. | Virtual | University College | Melanie Jones | mjones238@kent.edu |
Tuesday
| Program Name | Description | Date | Time | Location | College/Department | Contact Person | Contact Email |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First Generation Student Recognition Breakfast | This event will recognize and celebrate first-generation students, faculty and staff in the College of Aeronautics and Engineering. First generation students will be asked to share their stories to highlight commonalities and enhance belonging. | Tuesday, November 7th | 9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. | Timken Atrium, 1st Floor, Aeronautics & Engineering Building |
College of Aeronautics and Engineering | Lawrence Epps | lepps@kent.edu |
| CCI First Generation Student Shout Out Tabling | Stop by our CCI First Generation Student Shout Out tables during I AM FIRST Week to grab some snacks and free swag! We are so excited to celebrate all of our students who are the first in their families to go to college. | Tuesday, November 7th | 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. | 1st Floor, Taylor Hall | College of Communication and Information | Aj Conway | ajconway@kent.edu |
| I AM FIRST Student Panel: Lessons in Leadership | Are you a First- Generation college student? Are you interested in learning more about leadership? Join us as we chat with First-Generation college student leaders as they share their leadership experiences, answer your questions and more! This program is part of the Leadership Center's Lessons in Leadership series. Student panelists include students from University College’s Student Ambassador Program and the Leadership Center’s Student Leaders. |
Tuesday, November 7th | 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | Leadership Center, 220 Kent Student Center |
University College Student Ambassadors & KSU Leadership Center | Nicole Kotlan | nkotlan@kent.edu |
| I AM FIRST Arts & Sciences Celebration | First-gen Arts & Sciences students are invited to come enjoy root beer/soda floats, Insomnia Cookies, and take a picture with Flash. The first 100 students will receive a free I Am First t-shirt. | Tuesday, November 7th | 2:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. | Bowman Hall 124 | College of Arts & Sciences | Kris Braxton | kbraxton@kent.edu |
Wednesday
| Program Name | Description | Date | Time | Location | College/Department | Contact Person | Contact Email |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAED I AM First Celebration | First-generation CAED student are welcome to stop by for some candy and a chance to win a $25 Amazon gift card. The first 30 students that attend will also receive a free I AM First t-shirt. Rules and guidelines for drawing: You must be a first-generation student in the CAED to participate. Winner will be chosen at random. Winner will be contacted via email the following Monday, November 13th |
Wednesday, November 8th | 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | First floor of the CAED next to the Cafe | College of Architecture and Environmental Design | Alicia Rainier | aboulton@kent.edu |
| I AM FIRST Celebration | A celebration of First-generation staff, faculty, and advocates for their accomplishments and support of the First-generation student journey. Attendees can sign the I AM FIRST promise banner and hear First-generation student testimonials. Dr. Mandy Munro-Stasiuk, Dean for the College of Arts and Sciences, will be the 2023 keynote speaker. Register and attend here! | Wednesday, November 8th | 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. | KIVA | University College | Melanie Jones | mjones238@kent.edu |
Thursday
| Program Name | Description | Date | Time | Location | College/Department | Contact Person | Contact Email |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| College of Public Health First Generation Social | Join the First-Generation Faculty and Staff from the College of Public Health for conversation around careers, graduate school, and being a first-generation student after college. Light refreshment will be provided. | Thursday, November 9th | 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. | Moulton 217 | College of Public Health | Gretchen Thomas | gthoma33@kent.edu |