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Cornell University

Student & Campus Life

Signature Programs

 

Students sit at round dining table

First-Generation Celebration Week 

First-generation students bring a unique perspective to the Student and Campus Life experience at Cornell. As trailblazers, being the first in their family to attend college, these students are overcomers, achievers, dreamers, and fighters. And because of this, we celebrate them for an entire week filled with events and programming.

First-Generation Graduation Reception

We collaborate with campus partners to host a university-wide graduation reception to celebrate first-generation graduates. Complete with food, mocktails, a DJ, and a photo booth, graduates also receive a gift and their honor cords.

FGLI Workshop Series 

We offer several workshops each semester focused on FGLI student needs, i.e., filing taxes, career planning, study skills, living off-campus, etc. Through the FGLI workshops, developed in collaboration with campus partners, we educate students on maintaining financial sustainability, food security, stable housing, and overall wellness.

Kessler Scholars Program

The Kessler Scholars Program at Cornell University provides four years of support to exceptional Cornell students who are among the first in their family to attend college and are low-income. Please visit our section on The Kessler Scholars Program to learn more about this signature program. 

Undocumented/DACA Student Support

Please visit our Undocumented/DACA Student Support page for signature programs that specifically support our students with undocumented or DACAmented status. 

Reach out to FGLIempowerment@cornell.edu to learn more about our signature programs.