First-Generation College Student Day

On November 8th, colleges and universities around the United States will celebrate National First-Generation College Student Day. This annual celebration is held on this day to honor the anniversary of the signing of the Higher Education Act of 1965.

At Rockland Community College (RCC) we are excited to honor our first-generation students, faculty, and staff at our second First-Generation College Student Day Celebration. At RCC, a first-generation college student is someone whose parents have not earned a baccalaureate degree.

We are pleased to share this year’s programming below.  It is through these types of programming, we learn about the first-generation experiences, how we can bring awareness to the needs of this population and help to grow a support system.

2022 First Generation College Student Day Events

Rep your first-generation college student status by wearing your “I’m First” or “I am First-Gen” gear on November 8!

Stop by our table on the second floor of the Student Union on November 8, 10:00am – 4:00pm to pick up your gear.

Check out RCC’s social media sites to see our First-Gen employee album today!

Check out our First-Gen employee album on Facebook!

Upcoming Events

RCC is Proud to Recognize First Generation Faculty & StaffWho serve as role models for First Generation Students

First Generation College Celebration logo

To recognize the importance and scale of the national celebration of First Generation College Student Day and establish a logo representative of the diverse celebrations held each year, the Council for Opportunity in Education and the Center for First-generation Student Success commissioned a redesign of the event logo.

The new logo features four elements – Celebration, Broad Perspectives, Growth, and New Heights – which capture the First-Generation College Celebration experience for first-generation college students, graduates, allies, and advocates.

  • Celebration depicts a graduation cap being tossed upward, which connects to the elevation of first-generation college students and their communities.
  • Growth expresses development and fluidity by evoking the color and form of a series of stems with leaves. This icon harnesses the evolution of personal and professional advancement and highlights the lifelong presence of the first-gen identity in a person’s experience.
  • Broad Perspectives depicts a round window or globe, which is symbolic of the diverse and intersectional first-generation college student and graduate identities.
  • New Heights portrays a staircase, which connects to mobility and workforce entry, and also ties to the abiding nature of the first-generation college student and graduate identity.

Co-sponsored by the Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion,
TRiO, and Title V Conexión