First-Gen Days: The New Traditional Student
This series of virtual events will celebrate and support first-generation students; Oct. 27 through Nov. 6.
- date: 10/27/20 - 11/06/20
- time: 12:00 AM - 1:30 PM
- location: Zoom • maps
- contact: Dusten Crichton - Thompson Learning Community • dcrichton@unomaha.edu
- search keywords:
- First-Generation
- First-Gen
- Student Support
- First Gen
- First Generation
At the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO), first-generation ("first-gen") students make up more than 37 percent of the university's 15,000-plus person student body.
UNO's First Generation Guild task force hopes to make sure those students, whose parents did not graduate from a four-year university, are seen and supported. Join them by participating in the virtual "First-Gen Days: The New Traditional Student," a seven-day series of events dedicated to doing just that. Check out the schedule below for events of interest to students, faculty, and staff.
Students who virtually attend one of the First-Gen events and the First-Gen National Day of Celebration will be entered into a drawing for one of three $500 book scholarships for the Spring 2021 semester.
View events by date
- Tuesday, October 27
- Thursday, October 29
- Friday, October 30
- Monday, November 2
- Wednesday, November 4
- Thursday, November 5
- Friday, November 6
- First-Gen Vision Challenge for Academic Departments: 10 Days to Ideate
Tuesday, October 27
Keynote featuring Jessica Laveriega Monforti
Jessica Lavariega Monforti, Ph.D., Dean of College of Arts and Sciences at Callifornia Lutheran University, will present "Rompiendo Barreras (Breaking Down Barriers): Getting First-Gen Students to Graduation and Beyond."
Thursday, October 29
"Resume Building and Refining" Halloween Bash
2:30-3:30 P.M. | Join us on Zoom
Learn how to craft a great resume. Dress in a Halloween costume to be entered for a prize.
Friday, October 30
First-Gen Panel
12:00-1:00 P.M. | Join us on Zoom
This panel will feature First-Gen undergraduate students and First-Gen graduate students discussing what being First-Gen means to them. They’ll share how being the first in their families to go to college has shaped their experience on and off campus, and how they see First-Gen students contributing to UNO’s vibrancy. Following their discussion, there will be an open Q and A session, so bring some great questions!
Monday, November 2
The New Traditional Student: Supporting Success through Asset-Based Approaches
2:00-3:30 P.M. | Register for this event
Asset-based approaches to engaging with students lead to stronger connections for success. Join us during this workshop to learn more about these approaches and how departments and faculty are using strategies to support our new traditional students. This session will feature group discussions in Zoom breakout rooms.
Registration is required. Attendees will be sent the Zoom link after registering.
Wednesday, November 4
Mentoring Drop-In Sessions
10:00-11:30 A.M. | Sign up for a session
First-Gen students are welcome to sign up for a 30-minute chat on Zoom with a faculty member about their experience as a first-generation college student at UNO.
Time slots are also available on Thursday, November 5.
Thursday, November 5
Mentoring Drop-In Sessions
2:00-3:30 P.M. | Sign up for a session
First-Gen students are welcome to sign up for a 30-minute chat on Zoom with a faculty member about their experience as a first-generation college student at UNO.
Time slots are also available on Wednesday, November 4.
Friday, November 6
First-Gen National Day of Celebration
11:30 A.M. - 1:00 P.M. | Join us on Zoom
A virtual event where students, faculty, and staff can engage in trivia, discussions and viewing of First-Gen programming, plans, and more.
First-Gen Vision Challenge for Academic Departments: 10 Days to Ideate
The First Generation Guild invites faculty and academic departments to participate in a vision challenge for supporting our first-generation students.
Departments are encouraged to propose an action plan or activity integrating best practices for engaging with UNO’s First-Gen population that they could implement during the 2020-2021 academic year. For ideas on best practices, participate in some of the First-Gen Days events listed above.
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Proposals should be submitted by Thursday, November 5, via Padlet - https://padlet.com/unofacdev/first_gen_vision
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First-Gen Days participants will vote on the proposals with the winning proposal eligible for $1,000 in support of the action plan/activity.
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The winner will be announced at the First-Gen Days Celebration event on Friday, Nov. 6.
Cast Your Vote for the First-Gen Vision Challenge
The First-Gen Guild is proud to sponsor the First-Gen Vision Challenge for Academic Departments. Departments will be proposing actions and activities to support our students.
It’s up to you to determine which idea wins. Be sure to cast your vote beginning at 5 P.M., Thursday, Nov. 5. Winner will be announced following the First-Gen Days Celebration Friday, Nov. 6.
To vote:
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Go to Padlet -- https://padlet.com/unofacdev/first_gen_vision
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Click the heart icon beneath the tile for the activity to cast your vote.
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The action/activity with the most likes (hearts) wins.
About the University of Nebraska at Omaha
Located in one of America’s best cities to live, work and learn, the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) is Nebraska’s premier metropolitan university. With more than 15,000 students enrolled in 200-plus programs of study, UNO is recognized nationally for its online education, graduate education, military friendliness and community engagement efforts. Founded in 1908, UNO has served learners of all backgrounds for more than 100 years and is dedicated to another century of excellence both in the classroom and in the community.
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