Nov. 8th is National First Gen Day

The University of Arizona's first-gen community is represented in every facet of campus life – from classrooms to cultural centers, playing fields to research labs, behind a desk or up on stage – there are over 10,000 Wildcats (students, faculty, and staff) who are proud to be the first in their family to attend college. We call these students First Cats. The U of A was among the first institutions to be recognized for our work with first generation college students through the First Gen Forward designation.

On Nov. 8 of each year, colleges and universities across the country celebrate their first gen students. This is done in recognition of the vibrant skills, strengths and experiences they bring to higher education: navigation, exploration, curiosity and leadership, among many others. We encourage faculty and staff who are first gen graduates to celebrate with us on social media with one of our pre-made templates; for those who do not engage in social media, feel free to add it to a website or your D2L. 

To engage with us, visit our First Cats faculty and staff resources. The involvement and identification of first gen faculty is critical to a student's success. Our New Student Interest Form shows first gen students anticipate needing more support, feel less likely to fit into our campus culture, and are more unsure about finding community than the overall student population. You have the most opportunity to impact our first cats by sharing your own story and journey!