UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Members of the Penn State community are invited to attend and present at the inaugural First-gen Student Support Summit on Wednesday, May 4. This virtual, one-day conference will be an occasion for advocates of first-generation students to recognize and strengthen this student population.
Penn State defines “first-generation student” as any student whose immediate parents or legal guardians have not completed a baccalaureate degree. Approximately one in four currently enrolled Penn State undergraduates identifies as first-generation, according to data collected during the admissions process. Denise Poole, who is leading the effort to convene the summit and who directs the Student Success Center, explained why first-generation students may require additional support.
“We at the Student Success Center view first-generation college students as trailblazers, pioneers and groundbreakers, who are courageously navigating new territory for themselves and their families. We champion these students by offering equitable support during the often daunting transition to college life and throughout the ups and downs on the pathway to completion. It is important that Penn State honors the strength and bravery of this community as well as offers a place for them to turn when they face the inevitable challenges.”
The intention for the summit is to bring together Penn State faculty, staff, administrators, graduate students and undergraduate students who share a commitment to first-generation student success. The summit will be an opportunity for participants to share best practices, network with one another and cultivate a community of practice across the University. The summit aims to prominently feature the voices of first-generation students themselves, whose firsthand perspectives can inform efforts to support and advocate for this student population.
Members of the Penn State community are invited to submit a presentation proposal on this form. Presentations should broadly address the first-gen student experience and vary in topic, length, format and perspective offered. The priority proposal submission deadline is Wednesday, March 23, and the final proposal deadline is Monday, March 28. More details are provided on the form itself. All members of Penn State’s first-gen community are invited to present on topics ranging from best practices and emerging programs to research and data insights.
The summit will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the virtual platform called Whova, and a registration link (along with information on the summit) will be available on the Student Success Center website in the coming weeks.
Questions about the summit can be directed to Denise Poole at dmp6115@psu.edu.
The Student Success Center is part of Penn State Undergraduate Education.
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