The University of Alabama at Birmingham is celebrating National First-Generation College Student Week with a series of events recognizing students who are the first in their families to pursue a college degree.
Observed nationally on Nov. 8, First-Generation College Celebration Day honors the success and resilience of first-gen students. The day was formally recognized in 2021 when a bipartisan Senate resolution, led by Sen. Raphael Warnock of Georgia, designated the observance.
UAB will kick-off off its weeklong celebration Monday with a “Proud to Be First!” event in the Hill Student Center featuring giveaways, student spotlights and a First-Gen Champion Wall. Throughout the week, first-generation students, faculty and staff will participate in networking events, resource fairs, mentoring programs, and celebrations across campus.
Highlights include a luncheon Tuesday with keynote speaker Sid J. Trant, chancellor of the University of Alabama System. Other events include a campus involvement fair, a study-abroad information session, and a “Dinner with 12 Blazers” program connecting students with first-gen alumni. The week concludes Friday with Mental Health First Aid training for first-generation students.
The celebration aims to highlight first-gen Blazers’ accomplishments and ensure they have resources to thrive academically and personally.
Below, you will find a full schedule of the week’s events:
Monday, Nov. 3
- Proud to be First! First Gen Celebration Kickoff | 10:00 AM-1:00 PM
Sponsored by First Blazers
Hill Student Center, 1st Floor
Celebrate the start of First Gen Celebration Week! Stop by for giveaways, check out the First-Gen student spotlights, sign the First-Gen Champion Wall, and learn more about events happening throughout the week.
Tuesday, Nov. 4
- First Gen Faculty, Staff, and Student Luncheon | 11:30 AM-1:00 PM
Sponsored by the Division of Student Affairs
Hill Student Center Ballrooms
Join fellow first-gen Blazers for food, networking, and shared stories of success. This year’s luncheon will feature Sid J. Trant, Chancellor of the University of Alabama system, as the keynote speaker.
*RSVP required for this event
Wednesday, Nov. 5
- Find Your Place: First-Gen Involvement Fair | 12:00 PM
Sponsored by the UAB Pathfinders
Hill Student Center Amphitheater
Starting college as a first-gen student can come with extra questions about where to get involved and how to make connections. This event brings together student organizations, campus departments, and peer mentors to help first-gen Blazers find their fit at UAB.
- First Gen Blazers Abroad 101 | 4:00 PM
Sponsored by Education Abroad
Sterne Library, Room 222G
Interested in studying abroad, but don't know where to start? Come to a Blazers Abroad 101 information session! These sessions are designed to give you all the details about selecting a location, applying for a program, applying for funding, and everything in between. These sessions are hosted by our Peer Ambassadors, so you'll also get their first-hand knowledge of what it's like to study abroad as a UAB student!
- Dinner with 12 Blazers | 6:00 PM
Sponsored by the UAB Career Center and Alumni Affairs
UAB Alumni House
Join us for Dinner with 12 Blazers, a special dinner series connecting first-generation students with accomplished first-generation alumni. During this engaging evening, students will have the opportunity to hear firsthand stories about career journeys, challenges, and successes, while building meaningful connections with alumni who have navigated similar paths. Each dinner will feature 2 alumni and 10 students, providing an intimate setting for conversation, mentorship, and inspiration. Registration is required and seats are limited. Please click here to reserve your seat.
Thursday, Nov. 6
- Cool to be 1st: Ice Cream Social | 11:00 AM
Sponsored by the Division of Student Affairs
Hill Student Center, 1st Floor Dining Area
Celebrate First-Gen Week with a sweet treat! Join us for an afternoon of ice cream, music, and connection with fellow first-generation students. Stop by to meet new friends, share your first-gen pride, and snap a photo to commemorate the week—it’s cool to be first!
Friday, Nov. 7
- Mental Health First Aid for First Gen Students | 8:30 AM
Sponsored by Student Counseling Services
Student Health & Wellness Center, Room, 390
This full-day training helps you recognize when someone may be facing a mental health or substance use challenge—and how to respond with empathy, confidence, and care.
Through a blend of self-paced online learning and in-person instruction, you’ll gain practical tools to support peers in crisis, connect them with help, and understand the impact of trauma, substance use, and self-care. You’ll leave equipped to make a difference in someone’s moment of need.