First-Generation College Student Day, celebrated annually on November 8, commemorates the signing of the Higher Education Act (HEA) of 1965. The act established federal financial aid programs to help students fund their education and made significant investments in colleges and universities.
A first-generation student is the first in their family to attend or complete college. More than half of all undergraduate students in the United States are first-generation.
Emerson is proud to support its first-generation students!
Learn more about Emerson’s First Generation Student Success Program and join us for an exciting series of events on both Emerson’s Boston and Los Angeles campuses.
Emerson Events
Boston: Dining & Student Success Cooking Class – Tuesday 11/4
Chef Alex will teach 10 Emerson students how to create 3 delicious meals they can make at home! Space is limited so register early!
Tuesday, November 4, 7-9 p.m.
Private Dining Room
Co-Sponsored by Student Success and Emerson Dining
ELA: First-Gen Friday Social – Friday 11/7
Join us for an afternoon of lunch, games, and free swag to celebrate First-Gen Friday at Emerson Los Angeles! Featuring FLI alum Kai Brown ’24!
Friday, November 7, 2025, 2:00-3:30 p.m. (Pacific)
ELA, 4th Floor Conference Room
Boston: Boba Block Party – Friday 11/7
Visit the Library Co-Lab for boba, LEGO, games, and good vibes.
Friday, November 7, 1-3 p.m.
Iwasaki Library, Walker Building, 3rd Floor
Co-Sponsored by First Gen Emerson and Iwasaki Library
Boston: Photo Booth First-Gen Props – Week of 11/2-11/9
Strike a pose and grab a pic in the Headshot Photo Booth with First-Gen props and signs this week! Located in Walker Building, 2nd floor, near Student Success.
Boston: First-Gen Book Display – Week of 11/3-11/8
Discover First-Gen authors at the Iwasaki Library, Walker Building, 3rd floor.
First-Gen Resources
- Emerson First-Generation Program Tri-Alpha
- Emerson “I’m First” First-Gen & Low Income Resources
- FirstGen Forward: Success for First-Gen Students
Upcoming First-Gen Conferences
NASPA First-Generation Graduate and Professional Student Symposium
February 20, Zoom
The 9th annual symposium by and for first-generation graduate and professional students sponsored by Boston University Newbury Center, Duke University First-Generation Graduate Student Network, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Carolina Grad Student F1RSTS, and FirstGen Forward. Learn more and register by February 16.
GlobalMindED First Generation Leadership Program
June 10-12, Denver
Participants will have opportunities to create career connections with mentors; gain real-world wisdom from leaders and innovators in business, policy, technology, education, healthcare, and more; learn diplomacy, leadership, and the soft skills that shape today’s careers.