First-Generation College Celebration

November 8, 2025

In 2017, the Council for Opportunity in Education and FirstGen Forward (formerly NASPA’s Center for First-Generation Student Success) launched the inaugural First-Generation College Celebration, on November 8, the anniversary of the signing of the Higher Education Act of 1965. Each year since, colleges across the country have joined in celebrating the first-generation college students on their campuses on this day. This year, College for West Virginia (CFWV) is once again joining this national effort to celebrate the successes and contributions of first-generation college students, faculty, staff, and alumni here in West Virginia!

Since November 8 is on a Saturday this year, we’ll be celebrating First-Gen in West Virginia for the full week leading into (and including) November 8!

From November 3 through November 8, we encourage colleges, universities, college student support programs, and other interested entities to join us in celebrating the success of first-generation college students, faculty, staff, and alumni in any and every way possible. When sharing information about your event or highlighting First-Generation success stories on your campus (or in your program) on social media platforms, be sure to tag @CFWV, @COEtalk and @FirstGenForward and use the #CelebrateFirstGen hashtag!, we encourage colleges, universities, college student support programs, and other interested entities to join us in celebrating the success of first-generation college students, faculty, staff, and alumni in any and every way possible. When sharing information about your event or highlighting First-Generation success stories on your campus (or in your program) on social media platforms, be sure to tag @CFWV, @COEtalk and @FirstGenForward and use the #CelebrateFirstGen hashtag!

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