Penn State to mark First-Generation Celebration events first week of November

Penn State to mark First-Generation Celebration events first week of November StudentsPenn State to mark First-Generation Celebration events first week of November Published: October 12, 2026 The newest members of the Tri-Alpha honor society pose for a photo at the Nov. 7, 2025, induction ceremony. Credit: Motion Lighthouse / Penn State. Creative Commons Expand UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State will mark First-Generation Celebration Day with events slated throughout the week of Nov. 2 to 6. As part of the recognition of the national First-Generation Celebration Day on Nov. 8, the Penn State Chaiken Center for Student Success and the student organization First-Gen Advocates will hold events to build community, raise awareness about the first-generation experience and uplift the voices of first-gen students, faculty, staff and alumni. Other Penn State offices, colleges and campuses will also hold First-Generation Celebration events throughout the week. The Chaiken Center invites Penn Staters to share their first-gen stories and find out how to get involved in the first-gen community at Penn State. Signature events HUB-Robeson Center Takeover 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday, Nov. 2, HUB-Robeson Center Celebrate being #PSUFirstGen with food, activities, giveaways and prizes. There will be opportunities to meet members of the First-Gen Advocates student organization and the Eta Psi chapter of Tri-Alpha honor society to find out how to support or join Penn State’s first-generation community. Also on hand will be representatives from different centers to share resources, events and programs for first-gen students. Tri-Alpha Induction Ceremony 5:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 2, Freeman Auditorium, HUB-Robeson Center Join the Eta Psi chapter of the Tri-Alpha First-Generation Honor Society as they induct their third class and recognize the accomplishments of first-gen scholars, faculty, staff and alumni. First-Generation Community Night 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 4, Heritage Hall, HUB-Robeson Center Join first-gen students, faculty, staff and alumni for a mixer with free food, networking, first-gen recognition awards, and door prizes. Register here for First-Generation Community Night. Events across the Penn State community Schreyer Institute for Teaching Excellence, "Teaching First-Generation Students" 12:15 p.m. Monday, Nov. 2, Zoom First-generation college students bring valuable perspectives and experiences to courses. At the same time, they may encounter challenges related to navigating academic expectations, accessing resources and developing a sense of belonging within higher education. In this workshop, participants will explore the experiences of first-generation students and examine teaching practices that can support their success. Register here for the "Teaching First-Generation Students" webinar. College of Earth and Mineral Sciences, First-Generation Student Celebration 1-3 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3, Deike 116A College of Earth and Mineral Sciences faculty, staff, post docs, graduate students and undergraduate students who identify as first-generation college students are welcome to come network and enjoy ice cream and hot chocolate in the EMS Community Room. Drop in and help us build community, raise awareness of the first-generation experience and spend time with students, faculty and staff who are, or will be, the first in their immediate families to complete a four-year college degree. College of the Liberal Arts Chaiken Center for Student Success, LinkedIn Warriors Workshop and Headshots 4:30-6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3, Chaiken Center for Student Success, 138 Sparks Building This event helps first-generation students build their professional presence and feel more confident in navigating the professional world. Two Chaiken Center Peer Success Coaches will share tips on creating and improving LinkedIn profiles. Students will also have the opportunity to receive professional headshots for their LinkedIn or other professional platforms. College of the Liberal Arts Chaiken Center for Student Success, First-Gen Gives Back 4:30-6:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 5, Liberal Arts Chaiken Center, 138/139 Sparks Building This event will feature different community service stations supporting various local community organizations. Students can participate by writing letters to soldiers, making dog toys, creating plastic yarn and assembling Jared Boxes. Come together, make a difference and celebrate the impact first-generation students can have in their communities. Penn State Harrisburg National First-Gen Celebration 11:30 a.m. Friday, Nov. 6, Morrison Gallery (Library 120) at Penn State Harrisburg Join Penn State Harrisburg's National First-Gen Celebration and enjoy a collaboration of students, faculty and staff building vision boards. The experience and knowledge that faculty and staff have to offer is extremely valuable to our first-generation college students as they navigate the higher education system. College of Education POP-up: First-Gen Edition 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6, Chambers Building Room 202 Stop by to grab popcorn, learn about first-gen resources and make first-gen pennants. About the Chaiken Centers at Penn State Gene (Penn State class of 1962) and Roz Chaiken are the benefactors of five success centers at Penn State. In 2021, they created the Chaiken Center for Student Success in the College of the Liberal Arts — a center designed to provide students with the resources, programming, and other support needed to help them succeed in their studies. A subsequent gift in 2024 led to the naming of four additional Chaiken Centers across the University: the Penn State Chaiken Center for Student Success in Undergraduate Education, the Chaiken Center for Student Success in the College of Information Sciences and Technology, the Chaiken Center for Student Success at Penn State World Campus, and the Chaiken Center for Student Success at Penn State Abington. Learn more about being first-gen at Penn State by visiting the Penn State Chaiken Center for Student Success website. Last Updated October 12, 2026 Tags Academics Campus Life Students Faculty and Staff Harrisburg University Park Earth and Mineral Sciences Education Liberal Arts Schreyer Honors College Office of Undergraduate Education Chaiken Center for Student Success Student Affairs HUB-Robeson Center Things to Do at Penn State Latest News Get the news by email Subscribe