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Adjusting to campus life may bring nerves and uncertainty for any new college student, but first-generation students can experience some unique challenges.

“I felt like I didn’t really have anyone to talk to,” said Alex Newnes, a third-year �Ը������� University student from Wiloughby, Ohio. “Just finding a group on campus was something I was struggling to find.”

Newnes is not alone. �Ը������� 40% of �Ը�������’s student population identifies as first-generation, meaning their parents or guardians have not completed a four-year bachelor’s degree, said Melanie Jones, senior director of student success programs.

“I think one of the most common challenges first-generation students experience is learning to navigate an environment that often assumes students already understand how college works,” Jones said. “There are so many aspects of the college experience that may be unfamiliar, from understanding financial aid and academic advising to knowing how to engage with faculty, pursue internships, or access support services.”

To help first-generation students like Newnes feel supported and connected, �Ը������� University is holding its annual I Am First Week Nov. 2 through Nov. 6, 2026. Events will give first-generation students time to connect with other students and staff members, embrace their first-generation identity and learn more about resources available to them. 

This year’s theme is Resources, Connections and Celebrating First-Gen Success.

“I think having an entire week dedicated to celebrating first-generation students is incredibly significant because it allows us to intentionally recognize their experiences, accomplishments, and contributions to our university community,” Jones said. “We want students to feel proud of their first-generation identity, but we also want them to know that they are not navigating their college journey alone.

For Sean Poindexter, a second-year, first-generation student from Washington, D.C., learning how to make friends in a new state was a challenge he felt unprepared for.

“It's pretty different because people [back home] don't really have the information for me,” Poindexter said. “I will most likely have to come get it from somebody at school.”

Luckily, �Ը������� offers a variety of resources for first-generation students like Newnes and Poindexter. Both students touted the communities and assistance programs available in University College and the Center for Undergraduate Excellence.

“I think Kent does a really good job with supporting first-gen students,” Newnes said. “I Am First Week has been very helpful to feel supported and seen on campus.”

Poindexter credited the CommUNITY Lab for helping him make friends and build connections on campus. He went on a retreat with other students in the program at Hiram House Camp, he said.

“They provide a kind of sense of family,” Poindexter said. “I met a lot of people that I'm still friends with to this day.”

The CommUNITY Lab is a college transition program offering support to students in five different college access programs: DC CAP, IPromise, Say Yes Cleveland, Upward Bound and First Star. 

For Newnes, the Exploratory Mentor program helped her navigate the feelings and questions she was having as a first-year student. The Mentors, current students who used to be Exploratory majors, meet one-on-one with first-year Exploratory students to offer advice and help connect them with resources on campus.

“I got to talk with all of them, which was a big help being able to get different sides of things,” Newnes said.  

Newnes, now an Integrative Studies major, currently serves as an Exploratory Mentor. She’s excited to connect students to the same programs and resources that once helped her.

“Now seeing the community we’ve built … it’s a big full-circle moment for sure,” Newnes said.

Jones is proud that �Ը������� provides robust resources for first-generation students year round, noting that the university has been nationally recognized as First Gen Network Champion by FirstGen Forward.

“We recognize that student success requires ongoing, intentional support throughout a student's college journey,” Jones said. “We have a variety of programs and resources available within the �Ը������� community, including academic advising, tutoring, TRIO Student Support Services, career development and basic needs assistance.”

I Am First Week events include:

Monday, Nov. 2: 

• Flashes 101 Instructors Talk First Gen Workshop, a virtual workshop for staff and faculty on supporting first-year, first-gen students, 12:00-1:00 p.m.
• I AM FIRST Gen Night: Women’s basketball home opener vs. Troy, 6:00 p.m. at the MACC, honoring first-gen students during the game.

Tuesday, Nov. 3

• It’s Sweet to be First Gen: Celebration for Sciences & Humanities first-gen students, 1:00-3:00 p.m. in the Integrated Sciences Building main lobby, with Insomnia Cookies, hot chocolate and a photo with Flash. The first 100 students get first-gen shirts, and graduating students receive a first-gen graduation cord.

Wednesday, Nov. 4

• First-Gen Data Party: Session for staff and faculty on using institutional data tools to address equity gaps, 9:00-11:30 a.m. in the Moulton Ballroom. 
• First-Gen Fuel Up: Event for students, staff and faculty with campus resources, music, snacks and free T-shirts, 4:00-6:00 p.m. in Kent Student Center Room 218.

Thursday, Nov. 5

• Breaking Barriers, Building Futures: Career-prep workshop for first-gen business students, 1:00-3:00 p.m. in the Brinzo Entrepreneurial Lab, Crawford Hall. Students can connect with upperclassmen, alumni and employers.

Friday, Nov. 6

• Connections & Conversations with First-Gen Friends: Updates on I AM FIRST initiatives, a student panel, roundtable discussions and a preview of Spring 2027 plans, 1:00-2:30 p.m. in the Kent Student Center Ballroom Balcony.