National First-Generation College Student Day

National First-Generation College Student Celebration Day is recognized annually on November 8th. TRIO at the University of Wyoming is proud to recognize our first-generation students for all of their hard work and dedication!

The term "First-Generation" refers to a student whose parents/guardians do not have a bachelor's degree and who are among the "first generation" to attend college. Recent statistics calculate that approximately 30-40% of UW's student population is first-generation!

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National First-Generation College Student Celebration

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Older photo of Dr. Fuji Adachi and colleague holding a book.

Group photo with Dr. Fuji Adachi and many others at the 2023 Regional ASPIRE Conference.

Aged photo of Dr. Fuji Adachi speaking at a podium.

Aged photo of Dr. Fuji Adachi playing tennis.

Dr. Fuji Adachi speaking on a panel with other ASPIRE legends at the 2023 Regional ASPIRE Conference in Park City, UT.

Did you Know?

Dr. Fuji Adachi is credited with coining the term "first-generation" in 1979. In an unpublished study titled, "Analysis of the first-generation college student population: A new concept in higher education," he applied the term to students whose parents did not have a college-level education. The term first-generation is still used by the U.S. Department of Education today.

Dr. Adachi was a mathematician and the very first program director of Student Educational Opportunity, the department at the University of Wyoming that now houses five federal TRIO programs, as well as, GEAR UP Wyoming. He is also a past president (1977-78, 1980-81) of ASPIRE Inc., a professional organization for more than 140 TRIO programs across Wyoming, Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Utah.

Today, you can find Dr. Adachi at Laramie County Community College as a mathematics instructor.

Why celebrate on November 8?

The Center for First-Generation Student Success highlights:

First-Generation College Celebration, or FGCC, is celebrated annually on November 8 to commemorate the signing of the Higher Education Act (“HEA”) of 1965 by then-President Lyndon B. Johnson. This act created federal financial aid programs to fund students’ educations and made key investments in colleges and universities. Many of the HEA’s programs, particularly the Federal TRIO programs, promote postsecondary access, retention, and completion for today’s limited-income, first-generation college students.

FGCC strives not only to celebrate first-gen students’ contributions to their communities but also to occasion systemic social change by dismantling barriers to first-generation student success. Through this intentional advocacy focus, FGCC engages key constituencies in building upon the work left unfinished by the HEA.

Image graphic featuring a photo of Misty Springer, with the title of her presentation and a brief quote.

Image graphic featuring a photo of Shawna Otte, with the title of her presentation and a brief quote.

Image graphic featuring a photo of Farida Begum, with the title of her presentation and a brief quote.

Image graphic featuring a photo of Launa Chavez, with the title of her presentation and a brief quote.

Image graphic featuring a photo of Francis Tobechukwu Okwuzu, with the title of his presentation and a brief quote.

Image graphic featuring a photo of a Restorative Justice sticker, with the title of the presentation.

Image graphic featuring a photo of Amy Krist, with the title of her presentation and a brief quote.

Image graphic featuring a photo of Russ Oliver, with the title of his presentation and a brief quote.

Fall 2024

At a fall networking event and 2024 celebration for first-generation students at the University of Wyoming, we wanted to help “Build Your First-Generation Community."

Students heard presentations on eight different topics, led by first-generation faculty, staff, and administrators from the University of Wyoming. They each shared stories and insights from their own first-generation student journey. The group talked about the importance of having a community in college and after.

Free refreshments and warm drinks were served while students connected with other first-generation students, faculty, staff, and community members.

Being the first in your family to attend college is an exceptional accomplishment, and each year, we aim to celebrate that achievement with our campus community!

2023 Presenters