First Gen Week

Portland State University is a First-Gen Forward institution and is proud to celebrate National First-Generation Celebration Week with some awesome events:

Ed Abroad 101

Nov. 11, 2024  |  2:00pm - 2:30pm
Nov. 12, 2024  |  12:00pm - 12:30pm
Nov. 13, 2024  |  2:00pm - 2:30pm   
Location TBA

Embark on your journey to studying abroad while also earning credits toward your major/minor by joining us for this session! Our Ed Abroad 101 session is designed to acquaint you with the array of resources at your disposal as you kickstart your overseas adventure. Topics will include navigating the PSU process, program selection, financial planning, the advantages of studying abroad with PSU, and beyond!

Contact PSU Education Abroad for location and more info ›

First-Gen Fitness Classes at the Rec Center

Class 1: Lower Body & Core
Nov. 11, 2024  |  4:15pm - 5:00pm
Join Ileanna, who is a first generation student, in her class this week! If you are looking to strengthen your lower body, this is the ideal class for you! Using strength training principles and a mix of bodyweight and equipment, this class is sure to target and strengthen every area of your glutes, quads, hamstrings, abdominals, and calves.

Class 2: Pilates
Nov. 13, 2024  |  4:00pm - 5:00pm
Join Brenda, who was a first generation student, in her class this week! This class is perfect for new and experienced individuals, of all ages and fitness levels. We will work to master the 5 basic principles of Pilates to ensure proper muscle engagement, breathing patterns and biomechanics. Mastering the foundational movements of Pilates will help you grow in your practice, connect more deeply with your body, develop core strength and stability, prevent injuries, and relieve stress and back pain.

Class 3: Full Body Strength
Nov. 14, 2024  |  12:15pm - 1:00pm
Join Fern, who is a first generation student, in her class this week! This full body resistance training class will help you realize your strength through the use of free weights, body bars, and more to work every major muscle group in the body. Instruction and participation focus is on correct lifting techniques, with the use of light to moderate weights and higher repetitions. Use the energy of class to help you reach your goals!

Class 4: Fun Family Fitness
Nov. 17, 2024  |  3:15pm - 4:00pm
Join Amy, who was a first generation student, in her class this week! This class encourages participatory learning through movement and laughter, ideal for families with children of all ages. A primarily cardio workout with short strength and flexibility sequences designed to hold children’s attention provides a time and space to move, play, build community, and have fun. Class offers opportunities to get silly by incorporating games, visualizations, story, and dance. All levels and ages are welcome; class may differ based on the age of attendees. Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a parent or caregiver.

First Generation Student Affinity Group

Nov. 12, 2024  |  1:00pm - 2:00pm 
Fariborz Maseeh Hall 333

Facilitated by Future Connect Peer Mentors Mariel and Alice Yvonne, this group will be a space for connection and community for all first generation transfer students at PSU! Snacks will be provided.  

Learn More ›

First-Gen Staff Panel

Nov. 13, 2024  |  2:30pm - 4:00pm
Location TBA

Join us for a special panel as part of First-Gen Week, where first-generation staff from Multicultural Retention Services (MRS) and TRIO share their stories and experiences. This is a great opportunity to get to know the staff who are dedicated to supporting first-gen students and learn more about their unique journeys.

Contact TRIO Student Support Services for location and more info ›

A Seat at the Table: Celebrating Black First-Generation Attorneys

Nov. 13, 2024  |  4:00pm - 5:30pm
Pan-African Commons (SMSU 236)

This National First-Generation Students Week, join SLS in highlighting the journey and achievements of Black first-generation attorneys. Our guest speakers will discuss what navigating university, law school, and their careers in the field have been like as first-generation Black attorneys. Students of all ethnicities are encouraged to attend. Don't miss chance to ask questions, connect, and gain valuable insight into achieving academic and professional success as a first-generation student.

Contact Student Legal Services for more info ›

Cultural Resource Center's First-Gen Celebration

Nov. 12, 2024  |  11:00am - 1:00pm
SMSU 228

The Cultural Resource Centers will be hosting a First Generation Student Social. We will be highlighting first generation voices and providing coffee and donuts! 

SSWC Open House for the National First-Generation Celebration

Nov. 12, 2024 - Nov. 15, 2024 |  10:00am - 12:00pm
Resource Center for Students with Children (RCSC), SMSU 462

SPH First-Gen Student, Staff, & Faculty Social

Nov. 12, 2024  |  12:00pm - 1:30pm
Location TBA

Join us during PSU's First-Generation Week for the SPH First-Gen Student, Staff, & Faculty Social! This event is designed to celebrate and support first-generation college students by providing a space to meet and connect with faculty and staff who also identify as first-gen. Whether you're a student navigating your academic journey or a faculty member with lived experience, this social is an opportunity for building community, sharing stories, and fostering connections. Together, we can celebrate our shared achievements and continue to support each other in our journeys.

Contact the School of Public Health for location and more info ›

'How to Get a Job When You Don't Have Any Experience!'

Nov. 12, 2024  |  12:00pm - 1:00pm
Location TBA

For PSU Future Connect students! Join the University Career Center’s Internship Coordinator, Marisa Miller, for a one-hour workshop designed specifically for Future Connect students to showcase their unique academic journeys and work experience on a resume, even if they don't have experience in their desired field yet!  

Contact Transfer and Returning Student Resources for location and more info ›

First Generation Climb Night

Nov. 13, 2024  |  5:30pm - 7:30pm
Academic & Student Recreation Center (ASRC) Climbing Center, 3rd Floor

Come climb and build community with other first generation students at the climbing center during First Generation Week! Climbers must complete the safety quiz at member services and grab a wristband before using the Climbing Center. Check out your climbing gear at the equipment check-out desk! Staff are available to belay. Drop in anytime during the event, or arrive at 5:30 p.m. for introductions, ice-breakers, and overview of the space. If you need accommodations please email the Outdoor Program: odp@pdx.edu.

Theme: First-Gen Wellbeing

Health Promotion Suite Wellbeing Lounge : Nov. 12, 2024  |  10:00am - 2:00pm @ UCB 340
Wellbeing Resource Scavenger Hunt : Time and Location TBA

Contact the SHAC Health Promotion for more info ›

Navigating Internships as a First-Gen Student 

Nov. 12, 2024 - Nov. 13, 2024  |  10:00am - 3:00pm
Center for Internship, Mentoring, and Research (CIMR), Vernier Science Center (VSC) 206

Visit our CIMR space and learn about our various internship opportunities and connect with professional staff to help connect you with on campus and external internship/ mentoring opportunities! 

Elevating Voices

Nov. 14, 2024  |  11:00am - 2:00pm
Native American Student and Community Center (NASCC)

Join us for an unforgettable day filled with connection and celebration! Enjoy a lively resource fair where you can learn about support services, participate in fun games, indulge in tasty snacks, hear from guest speakers, and be inspired by live performances.

Navigating Health Graduate Programs as a First-Generation College Student

Nov. 14, 2024  |  6:00pm - 7:00pm
Virtual Event

Are you a first-generation college student interested in public health graduate school or a professional health program (MD, DS, PA, etc.) after undergrad?  Join us for a panel of current and recent graduates of health-related graduate/professional programs, and learn from their experiences in finding, applying, and navigating health programs as a first-generation college student. Please RSVP and a Zoom link will be emailed to you. 

Register now to receive the Zoom link for this event ›

Registration Support Workshop

Nov. 14, 2024  |  9:00am - 11:00am
Fariborz Maseeh Hall (FMH) Basement Lab 155

Calling all students who want to take classes this Winter but have yet to register! Classes start soon, and we are here to help you finalize your schedule for the Winter term 2025. Receive 1:1 personalized support with choosing your winter classes and pick up a snack to go! Drop in anytime on November 14th between 9 and 11am. Location: Fariborz Maseeh Hall (FMH) Basement Lab 155.

School of Business First Generation Student Meet & Greet

Nov. 14, 2024  |  1:00pm - 2:00pm
Location TBA

Come join First-Generation faculty and staff in the School of Business to learn more about resources available specifically for First Generation Students in the SB, as well as connecting with classmates/peers who are also First Generation Students in the School of Business to build your community!

Contact the School of Business for location and more info ›

Spark Your Imagination

Nov. 15, 2024  |  10:00am - 11:30am
Center for Entrepreneurship, RMNC 123

We believe the entrepreneurial journey provides a unique opportunity for student enrichment, building confidence and competence in critical/ creative thinking, communications, and collaboration, developing soft skills that will be beneficial to any future work/ life relationship or endeavor. Join us for a short info session on our upcoming opportunities, and share in a fun collaborative activity to spark your imagination!

Please register to attend this event ›

Photos of students

Meet the First-Gen Student Action & Training Team

Introducing the First-Gen Student Action & Training Team! This student-led group at PSU will raise awareness of first-gen students’ experiences, deliver culturally responsive training to staff, create a curriculum, and build a network of certified liaisons with support from Global Diversity and Inclusion.

students

First-Generation Support at PSU

You may be in the first generation of your family to graduate with a four-year college degree, but at PSU you are not alone. We not only celebrate our first-generation students, we have built an entire campus community to support them. Learn about our programs and resources for first-gen students.