Getting Involved in First-Gen Initiatives
Student Involvement
Interested in getting involved, making a difference, and gaining leadership experience along the way? There are many ways to become involved with First-Gen initiatives around campus.
First-Gen RSO
There are also opportunities to get involved with the First Gen RSO. The purpose of the First Generation College Students organization is to promote awareness and education about first-generation student-specific issues facing students who are first- generation; To connect first-generation students to other students, staff, and faculty who can provide support, understanding, and a sense of belonging; To instill a sense of pride and identity for first-generation students that helps them to understand their first-generation status and empowers them to overcome issues that lead to the feelings of isolation and the disproportionately high rates of attrition that students who identify as first-generation to college face; To reach out to families and communities of first-generation students in ways that support more students to see themselves as future college graduates. More information can be found on the Bulldog Connect site.
First-Gen RSO Spring 2025 Meetings
- All meetings start at 6:00pm in FLITE 304.
- January 29th
- February 12th
- February 26th
- March 26th
- April 9th
- April 23rd
First-Gen Campus Events
Karaoke/Open Mic Night
- January 30th - 5:30-8:30 pm - DEC Rankin Stage
First-Gen Trivia Night/Jeopardy
- February 19th - 5:30-7:30 pm - IRC 107
March is Reading Month
- Throughout the Month of March - School Day (8:00-3:00) - Riverview Elementary School
First-Gen Bowling
- March 4th - 8:00-10:00 pm - Big Rapids Bowling Center (transportation will be available)
- You must RSVP for this event.
Tri Alpha First-Gen Honor Society Induction & First-Gen Awards
- April 15th - 6:00-7:30 pm - DEC Ballroom A
- Applications for Spring 2025 induction are now open. Click here to learn more.
First-Gen Paint & Relax
- April 24th - 6:00-8:00 pm - IRC 107
- You must RSVP for this event.
First Generation Focused Workshops (Dates TBA)
Join us throughout the year for timely workshops and webinars focused on First-Gen student success. Look for more information in Bulldog News and on our social media channels.
National First Generation College Student Celebration Week
November 8th is National First-Generation College Student Celebration Day, but at Ferris we turn this into a weeklong events with events and activities. Look for more information in Bulldog News. Make sure to use #FirstGenFerris on social media to post your pictures.
First-Gen Workgroup
We are looking for first generation college students to serve on our First-Generation Workgroup to help drive the initiatives that we develop to help students. This may include participation in meetings, focus groups, panel presentations, trainings, and other opportunities to assist with first generation events on campus. If you are interested, please reach out to Dave McCall.
Faculty and Staff Involvement
Ferris offers many opportunties for faculty and staff to get involved with first generation college student efforts. Below are a few of the opportunities, please reach out if you have additional ideas for engaging faculty and staff!
Become a First-Gen Ally
This is a great way to serve as a resource that First-Gen students can turn to when they need help or have a question. Check out our First-Gen Allies page to see what it is all about. If you are interested in serving as a First-Gen Ally, complete the information form. Once complete, your profile will be added to the First-Gen Ally page. In addition, First-Gen Allies are offered opportunities to present workshops to our First-Gen students.
Support the First-Gen School Supply Library
We are offering free school supplies to our First-Gen students through the First-Gen School Supply Library. If you have supplies laying around that you would like to donate, please send them to ASC 1029 (c/o Dave McCall). Additionally, we have set up an Amazon Wish List with products that we will use to restock the supply library.
First-Gen Workgroup
The workgroup typically meets bi-monthly to focus on trends, outreach, ideas, and collective impact efforts to support Ferris First-Gen students. If you are interested, please reach out to Dave McCall.
- Celebrate National First Generation College Student Day
- Check out NASPA's Center for First Generation Student Success' website
Faculty/Staff Mentoring
Please email [email protected] for more information about mentoring opportunities for First-Gen students.