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I'm First

What Is "I'm First"?

I’m First launched in Spring 2018 with a mostly online presence. Moving forward I’m First will also include year-long programming celebrating First Generation college students’ stories, community, and accomplishments at Northwestern. 

Who's First? 

First-generation college students are first in their families to graduate from a four-year college or university. At Northwestern, we celebrate the strengths, assets, and leadership that our first-generation students, faculty, and staff bring to campus 

I'm First Programming- Fall 2023 

Table lists week of I'm First programming

Wednesday, November 1st

First Gen B(rock)fast | 10:30-11:30 AM @ The Rock* 

*Rain location SES, Foster Walker, House 6 

Kick off I'm First week with free coffee and pastries! First Gen student are invited to add their name to an I’m First canvas which will be displayed in SES. 

Thursday, November 2nd

I’m First Swag Pick Up- Faculty and Staff | 3:00-4:30 pm @ SES, Foster Walker House 6 

We want you to have I’m First pride! SES and the Office of FGLI Initiatives invite staff and faculty who identify as first-generation college students to pick up swag and proudly wear it on designated I’m First days- this quarter its Wednesday, November 8th, which is also National First Gen Day.  

Please note I’m First swag is available while supply lasts. 

Friday, November 3rd

APIDA Solidarity & FGLI |10:00-11:30 AM @ MCC (1936 Sheridan Road)  

Join MSA’s APIDA Solidari-Tea to connect with APIDA students who identify as FGLI students at NU and visit SES for a little treat at the end! If you have any questions, please reach out to MSA Assistant Director, Rignesha (she/they) at rprajapati@northwestern.edu or apida-msa@u.northwestern.edu. Visit bit.ly/APIDA-CAL for event details such as RSVP options. 

Friday, November 3rd

I’m First Swag Pick Up- Students | 12:30-2:00pm @ Norris 

We want you to have I’m First pride! We invite undergraduate students who identify as first-generation college students to pick up swag and proudly wear it on designated, I’m First days- this quarter its Wednesday, November 8th, which is also National First Gen Day.  

Please note I’m First swag is available while supply lasts. 

Monday, November 6th

I’m First Storytelling: Faculty and Student Mixer | 7:00-8:00 PM @ Allison Faculty Residence 

In celebrating you, we also want to celebrate your stories. Student Enrichment Services (SES) and Professor Myrna Garcia invite you for an intimate dinner and a lighthearted conversation as we discuss what it means to be first gen scholars at Northwestern. RSVP Required. Catering from Joy Yee provided! 
Please RSVP by Thursday, November 2nd, 2023 at 11:59 PM CST 

Tuesday, November 7th 

I’m First Swag Pick Up-Students | 3:00-4:30 pm @ SES, Foster Walker House 6

We want you to have I’m First pride! We invite undergraduate students who identify as first-generation college students to pick up swag and proudly wear it on designated, I’m First days- this quarter its Wednesday, November 8th, which is also National First Gen Day. 

Please note I’m First swag is available while supply lasts. 

Wednesday, November 8th

Work the Room: "I am not Invisible" Workshop | 12:00-1:30 PM @NCA, 620 Lincoln St.

Join us for the Work The Room: I Am Not Invisible Workshop to learn from Jose Santos, Associate Director and BIPOC/FGLI Team Lead at NCA, how to share FGLI experiences to an employer and graduate school when presented with the question of "Tell me about yourself?" in an interview. WTR team of SaShay Butler, Yari Gallegos and Jose Santos will also discuss upcoming WTR programming and events. Click this link to RSVP and please contact SaShay Butler for questions.

Wednesday, November 8th

I’m First Celebration | 6:00-7:30 pm @ Segal Visitor Center

SES invites faculty, staff, and students to celebrate First-Generation college students' journeys and accomplishments with an evening of food and community. The celebration will start with mingling and photo booth fun, followed by a formal program. 

We are excited to welcome our keynote speaker, Mesmin Destin, Associate Professor of Psychology and Human Development and Social Policy and Faculty Director of Student Access and Enrichment, Northwestern University. He will speak on the role of community in the success of BIPOC and first-generation college students. 

We are also excited for the Black Poetry Society’s spoken word performance and to award for the first time at Northwestern University the I’m First: Trailblazer Award and the I’m First: Faculty Advocate Award. 

Please RSVP by Tuesday, November 7, 2023 at 11:59 PM CST 

Thursday, November 9th

Work the Room: Alumni Dinner | 6-7:30 PM @ Guild Lounge

Join us for Work The Room: Alumni Dinner. The Alumni Dinner is an opportunity for current FGLI students to connect and network with NU Alumni from various fields. Please RSVP here.

Check Out the Tabs Below For More Ways to Get Involved with I'm First!

  

SES is excited to award the I'm First: Trail Blazer Award and I'm First: Faculty Advocate Award at our I'm First Celebration on Wednesday, November 8 (RSVP above). You can nominate student  through Sunday, November 5, 2023. The I'm First: Faculty Advocate nomination is closed for 2023.

I’m First: Trailblazer Award 

The I’m First: Trailblazer Award  honors an ambitious first-generation undergraduate student who is diligently working to accomplish their goals. This student demonstrates a commitment to community (in or out of NU) and academic excellence, while also creating opportunities for/inspiring other first-generation students to thrive at Northwestern University. 

I’m First: Faculty Advocate Award 

The I’m First: Faculty Advocate Award honors a faculty member who has made significant contributions to the success of first-generation college students through mentorship, pedagogical approach, first-gen focused programming, scholarly research, and/or service to organizations whose mission is directly related to first-generation student success. 

Celebrate your first gen pride by celebrating your support system! Submit a photo or a message about your community for the Family Tribute at this link by Friday, November 3rd @ 11:59 PM. Your submission will be featured on the SES website as well as in a slideshow at the I'm First Celebration.

Your first-gen identity should be celebrated! Wear your First Gen swag on National First Gen Day, Wednesday, November 8th. Tag us on Instagram with #ImFirstNU and be featured on SES's instagram. 

Interested in connecting with a faculty or staff member who share your first-gen identity? Check out our I'm First faculty, PhD students, and staff directory. First-generation faculty, PhD students, and staff can join the directory by submitting your first-generation story here.