November 11, 2025 - Last week, we proudly celebrated our annual First-Generation College Celebration Week at the University of South Carolina — a time to honor, uplift, and connect our vibrant first-generation student community. From November 3–7, we hosted a series of events focused on empowerment, recognition, and belonging.
Kicking Off the Week with Community
We started the week strong on Monday morning at Maxcy College with our Kick-Off Drop-In Breakfast. Students, faculty, and staff stopped by for a warm breakfast, and added their photos to our growing first-gen collage — a visual reminder of how large and powerful our first-gen community truly is.
That evening, we teamed up with the Career Center to host an Employer Panel and Networking Reception featuring professionals from Dominion Energy, Enterprise Mobility, and City Year. Our guests shared stories about their career paths and offered valuable advice about navigating professional spaces as first-gen graduates. The networking reception that followed gave students a chance to build meaningful connections in a welcoming, first-gen–friendly space.
The College of Social Work (COSW) also joined in the week-long fun by providing networking events and highlighting COSW first-gen students on their social media pages.
Our First-Gen Student Advisory Board rounded out the week by overseeing a Thanksgiving Food Drive from November 2-10, where they collected donations for the Gamecock CommUnity Shop at locations across campus — a powerful example of first-gen students giving back to the Carolina community.
Recognizing First-Gen Excellence
On Tuesday, we joined our partners at the Arnold School of Public Health (ASPH) for a special open house at the Public Health Research Center, where students stopped by for ASPH swag and learned more about the important role of first-gen Gamecocks in public health.
That evening, we came together for one of our favorite traditions — the First-Gen Recognition Ceremony in the Capstone Campus Room. We proudly recognized students, faculty, staff, and alumni who make extraordinary contributions to the success of first-generation Gamecocks at USC and beyond. The night was filled with pride, gratitude, and celebration. You can visit our First-Gen Awards page to learn more about each award recipient.
Focusing on Growth and Opportunity
Wednesday gave our students a chance to invest in their professional futures. On the USC Horseshoe, we offered professional headshots for LinkedIn and Handshake — an opportunity to help first-gen students put their best foot forward.
That evening, we partnered with TRIO Programs to present Pathways to Grad School & Research at Booker T. Washington. The session guided students through graduate applications, research opportunities, and mentorship — empowering them to take the next step in their academic journeys.
Celebrating First-Gen Voices
On Thursday, we hosted a lunch-and-learn on Preparing for Undergraduate Research at Maxcy College in collaboration with the Office of Undergraduate Research. Over lunch and conversation, students learned how to find mentors and begin their research journeys.
Later that evening, creativity took center stage at our Spoken Word & Creative Expression Night in the Russell House Underground. The evening included special guest presentations by Jukwan Brooks and Monifa Lemons, and the event invited first-gen students to share their own stories through poetry, art, and performance. The room was filled with emotion, laughter, and inspiration — a beautiful reminder of the strength that comes from sharing our voices.
Celebrating with Campus Connections
We closed the week on Friday with our Tailgate and Campus Resource Fair on Greene Street, featuring food trucks, t-shirt giveaways, tie-dye stations, games, and community service activities. Dozens of campus partners joined us to showcase resources and support systems available to our first-gen students. The energy was nothing short of electric.
November 8, 2025, First-Generation College Celebration Day in SC
We are especially honored by the official recognition from our state’s governor with the signing of a proclamation naming November 8, 2025, as “First-Generation College Celebration Day” in South Carolina — a meaningful statewide acknowledgment of our first-gen students and their contributions.
Thank you
A huge thank-you to all our sponsors, partners, and working group members who made this week unforgettable. Together, we continue to celebrate what it means to be First-Gen Proud — paving the way for those who come next.
SPONSORS
Darla Moore School of Business Office of Access, Opportunity and Community Engagement
Darla Moore School of Business Undergraduate Programs
Division of Access, Civil Rights, and Community Engagement
First-Generation Center
Graduation and Retention Network (GARNET)
Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing William F. Bloking First Generation
Scholars Fund
New Student Orientation
Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships
Student Success Center
TRIO Programs
PARTNERS
Arnold School of Public Health
Career Center
College of Social Work
Counseling and Psychology Services
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Division of Communications and Marketing
Education Abroad
First-Generation Living and Learning Community
First-Gen Student Advisory Board (SAB)
Gamecock Entertainment
GARNET
Leadership & Service Center
McCausland College of Arts &Sciences, Office of Undergraduate Studies
Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing Student Org
Office of Fellowships & Scholar Program
Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships
Office of Undergraduate Research
Student Affairs & Academic Affairs Communications and Marketing
Student Success Center – Undergrad & Grad
Tri Alpha Honor Society
University Advising Center
WORKING GROUP MEMBERS
Julia Ballou, Center for Integrative and Experiential Learning
Shannon Blake-Lynch, School of Journalism
LaNae Budden, First-Gen Center
Allan Cabanayan, First-Gen Student Advisory Board
Lenyx Coviak, First-Gen Student
Khristina DeLorenzo, Office of Access and Opportunity
Kelly DeShazo, Graduation & Retention Network
Kimberly Dressler, Carolina Experience Office
Tharangi Fernando, Student Success Center
Elizabeth Gloria, Athletics
Katie Hodapp, New Student Orientation
Samantha Kohlmann, First-Gen Student Advisory Board
Tricia Kramer, Office of Undergraduate Research
Melissa Kupfer, First-Gen Center
Rhonda Laylo, Division of Student Affairs
Jared Logan, Office of New Student Orientation
Kayla Major, Graduation and Retention Network
Brian McCaster, Molinaroli College of Engineering & Computing
Shalaia Myers, First-Gen Student Advisory Board
Dawayne Nettles, TRIO Programs
Angie Orozco-Rico, First-Gen Student Advisory Board
Stephon Porter, Career Center
Michael Stovall, Athletics
Shana Watson, Engineering & Computing Living and Learning Community
Paulia Williams, TRIO Programs
Jasmine Williamson, TRIO Programs
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