In the fall of 2023, Harvard College celebrated First-Gen and/or Low-Income Visibility Week with a week full of programming. 

This was the second annual celebration at Harvard, which was planned and brought to life by the Harvard Foundation for Intercultural and Race Relations. The week aligned with National First-Generation College Day of celebration, which is on November 8th annually. During my first year at Harvard, which started in Fall 2021, there was a station in front of Boylston Hall where first-gen students could pick up sunflowers, and Primus (the student run first-gen and low-income student group) had a s’more-making event. After attaining a grant through student efforts, the College shifted to celebrating first-generation and/or low-income students with a full week of programming and events.

The Harvard Foundation was intentional about including pre-professional events - like the Professional Headshots and the Harvard College Law School Night with the Mignone Center for Success, social events - like Trivia Night, as well as affinity spaces and events centered around leisure, networking, and learning. Students could go to the events that most resonated with them or that they were most interested in. 

As a Harvard Foundation intern present at many of the events, it was wonderful to see how students could go from sharing aspects of their experiences during the peer-led dialogue, to writing gratitude cards for their friends, to networking with Harvard Alumni who are in fields they are interested in. 

Some of my favorite events: 

Alumni Brunch:

There was delicious food, and I sat at a table with two Harvard Alumni. One of them is currently in medical school at Harvard, and the other attended the Harvard Kennedy School and is now working as a diplomat. There was a panel with a range of alumni, and it was really wonderful to hear their advice and wisdom. 

FGLI Latine Affinity Space:

Another personal favorite event was the FGLI Latine Affinity Space. Food including pupusas, different empanadas, as well as side dishes and churros. There were also materials for people to make themselves little self-care packages that included tea bags, journals, play-doh and making your own scented oil and orbeez stress balls. I really enjoyed this event because I got to hear from close friends who noticed the overlap in the FGLI and Latine experience in college. It reminded me of the strength in knowing that you’re not alone, and that many other people who you care for and admire share identities that shape you into who you are. 

Student-Faculty Dinner: 

Another amazing event was the Student-Faculty Dinner, which took place at the Harvard Faculty Club. The Harvard Faculty Club was a beautiful venue, and students were intentionally seated with professors and faculty, many of whom also identify as first-generation students.

From my own experience and conversations with other FGLI students, I am reminded how being a first-generation and/or low income college student can affect a student's college experience, even at an incredibly privileged and resourced place like Harvard.

Celebrating the FGLI identity with Harvard’s FGLI Visibility Week reminds me that not only am I not alone in this experience, but also that I should take great pride in how far FGLI students have come, all that we have achieved, and what our future holds.

I would add that having this time to celebrate the FGLI identity has supported the idea of not just surviving in college, but thriving.