Planning & Preparation

Need event or activity ideas?

• Your event or activity doesn't have to cost lots of money or require months of planning. Even simple, smaller events can make a big impact!
• Past events have included things like first-gen students' breakfast with a dean or DEO, graduate or professional student luncheons, panel discussions, cookie distributions, drop-in writing activities, film showings or movie nights, photo opportunities, free popcorn and merch handouts, digital displays, and button making.
• Be creative! Host a trivia or game night, open mic, yoga session, video game tournament, poetry slam, bracelet making, coloring contest, etc. And have fun coming up with great names for your events like... Sweet Success Cookie Giveaway, First-Gen Friday Fun, First Drafts Writers Workshop, Snacks & Stories, Trail Mix and Trailblazers, Cards and Community, etc.
• Host a coffee hour and invite faculty and first-gen students enrolled in your degree programs to mingle, share stories, and get to know each other.
• Work in a student services area? Host a workshop or informational session that tackles topics of particular interest to first-gen students.
• Schedule a training session for faculty/staff in your area on how they can better support first-gen students (contact angela-lamb@uiowa for more information).
• Send an email to your department that recognizes and celebrates the many accomplishments of your first-gen students (and faculty and staff or alumni) or feature first-gen students on your digital signage.
• Encourage everyone in your area to attend at least one event!
• Events can be held during a specific time or ongoing throughout the week.