Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) celebrated National First Gen Day on Tuesday, November 8, 2022 to acknowledge, elevate, and highlight the successes of all first-generation undergraduate and graduate students. November 8th is annual National First-Generation College Celebration Day, which was chosen to honor the anniversary of the signing of the Higher Education Act of 1965.
This year, the Office of Diversity, Inclusion, and Multicultural Education (ODIME) and Student Activities Office (SAO) hosted a drop-by event in the Rubin Campus Center lobby from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM EST with a photo opportunity, giveaways, celebration stickers, first-gen pins, resources, treats, and interactions with WPI's First Gen Fellows (faculty and staff who are also First Gen).
A special thanks to all those who made the 2022 celebration possible:
- Christina Genovese (Student Activities Office)
- Jennifer Daigle (University Advancement)
- Hiba Khan '25 (Student Activities Office)
- Olivia Kochol '26 (Student Activities Office)
- Alesia LeSane (ODIME)
- Christine Sharry (Student Activities Office)
- Casey Thomas (University Advancement)
- Micah Wilde '23 (Student Activities Office)
- Dining Services (Chartwells)
- First Generation Student Association (FiGSA)
- First Generation Success Program Support Team (ODIME)
To learn more about first-generation resources at WPI, check out the first-generation page and read more about WPI’s support.
"November 8 was selected as the date for the annual National First-Generation College Celebration to honor the anniversary of the signing of the Higher Education Act of 1965. The Higher Education Act (“HEA”) emerged out of President Lyndon B. Johnson’s War on Poverty. Much like other hallmark legislation of that era, such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, HEA was intended to help level a playing field that for too long had been weighed against Americans from minority and low-income backgrounds. In addition to creating federal grants and loan programs to help students finance their educations, the legislation made key investments in institutions of higher education. Additionally, HEA ushered in programs, particularly the Federal TRIO programs, necessary for postsecondary access, retention, and completion for low-income, potential first-generation college graduates." Learn More
The mission of WPI’s First Generation Success Program is to optimize access to campus resources and support for first-year students who identify as first generation. The program is designed to foster student’s personal, academic, and professional development at WPI through programming, mentorship, and a residential community.
The Office of Diversity, Inclusion, and Multicultural Education (ODIME) promotes and oversees all student facing diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) learning experiences, programs, services, trainings, and initiatives for WPI.