Texas State Celebrates First-Gen Week
#CelebrateFirstGen
Join Texas State University and colleges across the country as we present the National First-Generation College Celebration on Monday, Nov. 8, followed by First-Gen Week events running through Nov. 12. Share in the celebration as we recognize our first-gen students.
Nov. 8 marks the 56th anniversary of President Lyndon B. Johnson signing the Higher Education Act of 1965 on the Texas State campus.
If you are not able to attend events but would still like a t-shirt, please email firstgen@txstate.edu after November 12 to pick up a t-shirt in UAC 149.
Monday, November 8
Expand All Content- Location:
- Avery Building
- Cost:
- Free
- Contact:
- Jessica Bowers
jh1124@txstate.edu - Campus Sponsor:
- Round Rock Center
- Location:
- LBJ Student Center Grand Ballroom
- Cost:
- Free
- Contact:
- Dr. Victoria Black
vg13@txstate.edu
Schedule:
10 a.m. – noon: Browse session, Photo booth, First-Gen celebratory activities, T-Shirt distribution (First-Gen Photo potential opportunity)
Noon – 1 p.m.: Lunch
1 p.m. – 1:15 p.m.: Welcome by Dr. Cavitt & Dr. Golato
1:15 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.: Mr. Manny Vasquez, Founder of The Grit In Me, Keynote Speaker and First-Gen Success Workshop
3:15 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.: First-Gen Picture
3:30 p.m. – 4 p.m.: Mix and Mingle
Tuesday, November 9
- Location:
- Student Recreation Center: Multipurpose Room D
- Cost:
- Free
- Contact:
- Victor Hernandez
victorhernandez@txstate.edu
Presenters:
Mitzie Rojas RDN, LD
Mitzie Rojas is the Assistant Director for Fitness & Wellness and is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist in the state of Texas. She holds a B.S. in Kinesiology: Exercise Science from the University of Texas-El Paso (UTEP) and a B.S. in Dietetics and Nutrition from Kansas State University. She has worked as a personal trainer and group exercise instructor for the past 10 years. More recently as a dietitian, she has helped launch a nutrition coaching program here at Texas State University within the Department of Campus Recreation. Her favorite class to instruct is Zumba and has previously worked as a DJ.
Adriana Valdez, MS
Adriana Valdez is the Fitness & Wellness Coordinator. She holds her B.S. in Human Nutrition and Dietetics from New Mexico State University and her M.S. in Human Nutrition from Texas State University. She completed her Dietetic internship here at Texas State University and is working towards becoming a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist by the end of this year. She worked as a gymnastics coach for over 10 years which sparked her passion for sports nutrition.
- Location:
- There are three options for registration and attendance:
1) Livestream
2) Watch party location: LBJ Grand Ballroom *
3) Watch party location: Round Rock Campus *
* FREE Registration is included in the event description - Cost:
- Free
- Contact:
- Dr. Erika K. Nielson
commonexperience@txstate.edu
512.245.3579 - Campus Sponsor:
- University Lecture Series; University College; Common Experience; First Gen Proud
First Gen Week Event
Members of the Texas State University community are invited to join Michelle Obama in conversation with students about themes in her memoir, BECOMING - for an exclusive free livestream conversation - moderated by Yara Shahidi.
This event will occur on November 9:
- Livestream will begin at NOON and concludes at 2 p.m.
- Watch parties begin at 11:45 a.m. and conclude at 2 p.m.
- Livestream (only open to Texas State community members)
- Registration closes November 5 at 10:59 p.m. Central Time / 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time
- LBJ Grand Ballroom Watch Party (open to everyone) +
- Registration closes November 8 at 11:59 p.m. Central Time
- Round Rock Campus Watch Party (only open to Texas State community members) +
- Registration closes November 8 at 11:59 p.m. Central Time
University students from across the country will interview Mrs. Obama in Washington, D.C. A Texas State first-year, first-gen student has been selected to represent our campus for the event. The student representative will ask questions related to the Common Experience theme of Compassion.
Michelle LaVaughn Robinson Obama is a lawyer, writer, and the wife of the 44th President of the United States, Barack Obama. She was the first African-American First Lady of the United States. Through her four main initiatives, she has become a role model for women and an advocate for healthy families, service members and their families, higher education, and international adolescent girls education.
When people ask First Lady Michelle Obama to describe herself, she doesn't hesitate to say that first and foremost, she is Malia and Sasha's mom. But before she was a mother — or a wife, lawyer, or public servant — she was Fraser and Marian Robinson's daughter. The Robinsons lived in a brick bungalow on the South Side of Chicago. Fraser was a pump operator for the Chicago Water Department, and despite being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis at a young age, he hardly ever missed a day of work. Marian stayed home to raise Michelle and her older brother Craig, skillfully managing a busy household filled with love, laughter, and important life lessons.
A product of Chicago public schools, Michelle Robinson studied sociology and African-American studies at Princeton University. After graduating from Harvard Law School in 1988, she joined the Chicago law firm Sidley & Austin, where she later met Barack Obama, the man who would become the love of her life.
After a few years, Mrs. Obama decided her true calling was working with people to serve their communities and their neighbors. She served as assistant commissioner of planning and development in Chicago's City Hall before becoming the founding executive director of the Chicago chapter of Public Allies, an AmeriCorps program that prepares youth for public service.
In 1996, Mrs. Obama joined the University of Chicago with a vision of bringing campus and community together. As Associate Dean of Student Services, she developed the university's first community service program, and under her leadership as Vice President of Community and External Affairs for the University of Chicago Medical Center, volunteerism skyrocketed.
Mrs. Obama has continued her efforts to support and inspire young people during her time as First Lady.
- Location:
- Undergraduate Academic Center 124
- Cost:
- Free
- Contact:
- Dr. Victoria Black
vg13@txstate.edu - Campus Sponsor:
- University College
- Location:
- Zoom
- Cost:
- Free
- Contact:
- Rodolfo Jimenez
Rodolfo.Jimenez@trelliscompany.org
**Registration Needed** please click here to register for this event.
- Location:
- Falls/Sayers Room 201
- Cost:
- Free
- Contact:
- Margaret Yackel
my01@txstate.edu
Come gather information about choosing a place to live off-campus! Find out about Conventional and Individual leases, the Off-Campus Housing Marketlace, and so much more.
Wednesday, November 10
- Location:
- LBJ Student Center 3-3.1; 3-3.1
- Cost:
- Free
- Contact:
- Dr. Erika K. Nielson
commonexperience@txstate.edu - Campus Sponsor:
- Common Experience, First Gen Proud
The first ten student attendees will receive a free copy of Becoming: A Guided Journal for Discovering Your Voice by Michelle Obama.
- Location:
- Zoom
- Cost:
- Free
- Contact:
- Austin Allen
awa8@txstate.edu - Campus Sponsor:
- The Graduate College
Are you a first gen undergraduate student interested in pursing graduate studies? Do you want to hear from first gen graduate degree holders? The Graduate College is hosting a special online information session title Once a First Gen, Always a First Gen for first gen undergraduate students, which will be held in the form of a panel discussion with successful first gen graduate degree holders.
Click here for more information- Location:
- Avery Building
- Cost:
- Free
- Contact:
- Jessica Bowers
jh1124@txstate.edu - Campus Sponsor:
- Round Rock Center
Join us as we kick off First Gen Week with a celebration at our Round Rock Center! Pick up your first gen t-shirt in the Avery Building and meet other first gen faculty/staff at the Round Rock location.
- Location:
- LBJSC IIE – SI Unity Lounge 2.20
- Cost:
- Free
- Contact:
- Dr. Toni Moreno
tm37@txstate.edu - Campus Sponsor:
- IIE-SI
Join FLIP at Texas State in exploring how First Gen college students are perceived. From how others view us to how we view ourselves, you will leave the event feeling more in touch with your First Gen identity!
Thursday, November 11
- Location:
- UAC 275
- Cost:
- Free
- Contact:
- Dr. Victoria Black
vg13@txstate.edu - Campus Sponsor:
- University College
Are you a first-generation college student who doesn’t quite feel like they belong? Do you get good grades yet have no idea how you got them? Do you sometimes feel guilty for coming to college and leaving your family back at home? Well, you aren’t the only one to feel these things! Join our session and learn what these terms mean, how to overcome these feelings, and meet people who feel just like you do.
- Location:
- Undergraduate Academic Center 275
- Cost:
- Free
- Contact:
- Dr. Victoria Black
vg13@txstate.edu - Campus Sponsor:
- University College
Vet X FG
- Location:
- LBJSC IIE – SI Unity Lounge
- Cost:
- Free
- Contact:
- Dr. Toni Moreno
tm37@txstate.edu - Campus Sponsor:
- IIE-SI
Celebrating first-gen vets on Veteran's Day in the Unity Lounge. All are welcome to join. Veterans will be treated to a free hot lunch in appreciation for their service.
- Location:
- Student Recreation Center Multipurpose Room C
- Cost:
- Free
- Contact:
- Dr. Erika Nielson
Erika.nielson@txstate.edu - Campus Sponsor:
- Campus Recreation
Learn ways to decrease stress and calm the mind and body through postures, movements, stretches, breathing exercises, and meditative practices. All fitness and flexibility levels are welcome. This session will be led by Dr. Erika Nielson, who has taught yoga since 2001, and is the director of the Common Experience and a senior lecturer at Texas State.
Friday, November 12
- Location:
- LBJSC 2nd floor
- Cost:
- Free
- Contact:
- Daphne Wolfe
wolfedaphne@txstate.edu - Campus Sponsor:
- Career Services
Participating Areas:
- IIE-SI
- Career Services
- ODS
- Campus Rec
- Off Campus Living
- Location:
- LBJSC 3-21.2
- Cost:
- Free
- Contact:
- Dr. Toni Moreno
tm37@txstate.edu - Campus Sponsor:
- IIE-SI
Honest dialogue between undergraduate and graduate students about their first-generation experiences. Snacks will be provided