First Generation Events

For the 2025-2026 academic year, the First Scholars Institute has developed a yearlong focus for engagement with our First-gen Scholars. This year, we established themes for each month. Check back often for the details, location, dates and times for the events on your campus.

January 2026

Theme: Mentoring Connections (National Mentoring Month)

First Scholars Mentorship Mixer
Thursday, Jan. 15 | 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Western Campus, North Galleria

First Scholars Dream Big, Mentor Boldly
Wednesday, Jan. 21 | Noon - 2 p.m.
Eastern Campus, ESS President's Plaza

First Scholars Mentoring Showcase and Expo
Wednesday, Jan. 28 | Noon - 2 p.m.
Metropolitan Campus, MCC 059

First Scholars Mentoring Matters: How to Build Meaningful Connections
Thursday, Jan. 29 | Noon - 1 p.m.
Virtual Event

February 2026

Theme: Career Planning – Prepare for Summer Internships

First Scholars Make LinkedIn Work for You!
Wednesday, Feb. 4 | 5 p.m. - 6 p.m.
Virtual Event

First Scholars Make LinkedIn Work for You!
Monday, Feb. 9 | Noon - 2 p.m.
Eastern Campus, EMHC 245

First Scholars Make LinkedIn Work for You!
Thursday, Feb. 12 | Noon - 2 p.m.
Metropolitan Campus, MCC 059

First Scholars Make LinkedIn Work for You!
Wednesday, Feb. 25 | Noon - 1 p.m.
Westshore Campus, SHCS 133

March 2026

Theme: Spring Cleaning

First Scholars Study Jam and Therapy Dogs
Tuesday, Mar. 3 | Noon - 2 p.m.
Eastern Campus, ESS President's Plaza

First Scholars Paws and Prep
Wednesday, Mar. 4 | 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Westshore Campus, SHCS Atrium

First Scholars Midterm Study Break
Wednesday, Mar. 4 | Noon - 1:30 p.m.
Metropolitan Campus, MCC 1st Floor Lobby

April 2026

Theme: Financial Literacy (National Literacy Month)

First Scholars Financial Literacy Kahoot!
Wednesday, Apr. 1 | Noon - 1:30 p.m.
Westshore Campus, SHCS Atrium

First Scholars Financial Literacy Kahoot!
Tuesday, Apr. 14 | Noon - 2 p.m.
Eastern Campus, EMHC 245

First Scholars Symposium
Friday, Apr. 17 | 8:45 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Corporate College East

First Scholars Financial Literacy
Monday, Apr. 20 | 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Metropolitan Campus, Studio 101

May 2026

Theme: Celebration and Recognition at Commencement

First-generation Graduates send-off
Friday, May 15 | 3 p.m.
Wolstein Center at Cleveland State University

January Theme: Mentoring Connections (National Mentoring Month)

Walk the Teal Carpet
Monday, Jan. 13 | 9 - 11 a.m.
Tuesday, Jan. 14 | 9 - 11 a.m.
Eastern Campus, ESS Entrance

Coffee Connections
Monday, Jan. 13 | 9 - 11 a.m. | Western Campus, North Galleria

Metro Mixer
Monday, Jan. 27 | 2:30 - 4 p.m. | Metropolitan Campus, MCC Lobby

Winter Luau
Wednesday, Jan. 29 | 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. | Westshore Campus, SLT Commons

February Theme: Career Planning – Prepare for Summer Internships

Beyond the Books: Finding Your Campus Community
Tuesday, Feb. 11 | Noon - 1 p.m. | Westshore Campus, SHCS Atrium

How to Get Involved on Campus
Wednesday, Feb. 12 | 1 - 2 p.m. | Western Campus, WHCS A101

First Gen Love
Wednesday, Feb. 12 | 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. | Eastern Campus, ESS Street Café

Career Readiness
Thursday, Feb. 13 | 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. | Metropolitan Campus, MCC 059

March Theme: Spring Cleaning

April Theme: Financial Literacy (National Literacy Month)

Scholarship Bingo
Tuesday, April 1 | Noon - 2 p.m.
Eastern Campus, ESS Pool Room

Scholarship Bingo
Wednesday, April 15 | 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Metropolitan Campus, MCC 059

Scholarship Bingo
Tuesday, April 15 | 1 - 2 p.m.
Western Campus, North Galleria

Scholarship Bingo
Tuesday, April 29 | 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Westshore Campus, SLT Commons

May Theme: Celebration and Recognition at Commencement

First-generation Graduates send-off

August Theme: Building Community and Onboarding

Sign up for a Campus Tour!

Stop by your campus Student Life office to pick up a welcome bag while supplies last.

Eastern Campus | ESS 1303
Metropolitan Campus | MCC 200L2
Western Campus | WHCS A100
Westshore Campus | SLT 214

September Theme: Connect to Resources

Donuts with the Deans
Monday, Sept. 8 |9 - 10:30 am.
Metropolitan Campus, MLA Atrium

Donuts with the Deans
Tuesday, Sept. 9 | 9 – 11 a.m.
Western Campus, WSS North Galleria

Donuts with the Deans
Tuesday, Sept. 16 | 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Eastern Campus, ESS Street Cafe

Donuts with the Deans
Monday, Sept. 22 | 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Westshore Campus, SHCS Atrium

October Theme: Academic and Financial Planning

Midterm Study Break
Tuesday, Oct. 7 | Noon - 2 p.m.
Metropolitan Campus, MCC Bookstore Lobby

Midterm Student Break
Tuesday, Oct. 14 | 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Westshore Campus, SHCS Atrium

Midterm Student Break
Wednesday, Oct. 15 | 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Western Campus, WSS North Galleria

Midterm Student Break
Wednesday, Oct. 22 | 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Eastern Campus, ESS 1108

First Scholars Financial Literacy Workshop
Wednesday, Oct. 22 | Noon - 1 p.m.
Virtual Workshop

November Theme: Celebrating First-Generation College Students

First Scholars Appreciation Celebration
Monday, Nov. 3 - Tuesday, Nov. 4 | Noon - 2 p.m.
Eastern Campus, ESS Street Café

First Scholars Gratitude Journaling
Tuesday, Nov. 4 | Noon - 1:30 p.m.
Westshore Campus, SLT 109

First Scholars Appreciation Celebration
Tuesday, Nov. 4 | Noon - 2 p.m.
Eastern Campus, ESS Street Cafe

First Scholars Fuel Up
Wednesday, Nov. 5 | 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Westshore Campus, SHCS Atrium

First Scholars: My Self-Care Plan Vision Board
Wednesday, Nov. 5 | 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Western Campus, WSS North Galleria

First Scholars and Mental Health
Wednesday, Nov. 5 | Noon - 2 p.m.
Metropolitan Campus, MCC 1st Floor Lobby

First Scholars: What’s Poppin’ @ the Pantry
Thursday, Nov. 6 | 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Western Campus, WSS G4 C

First Scholars and Confidence
Thursday, Nov. 6 | 12:30 - 2:30 p.m.
Metropolitan Campus, MRC Lobby

December Theme: Celebration and Recognition at Commencement