Planning FGLI Graduation Celebrations (4 pm EST)

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As we head (hurtle?) toward the end of the academic year, many of us are turning our attention to how we might celebrate our graduating seniors. Over the past five years, many campuses have held special “FGLI Graduations,” which are meant to provide our first generation students and their families with a space to acknowledge their accomplishments and their special status as college “trailblazers.”

As many of our campuses remain remote for events, while others take small steps toward in-person activities, let's discuss the possibilities and considerations for these commencement celebrations.. Come learn from your colleagues and their experiences as they share how they started these efforts, developed good strategies, and pivoted to virtual celebrations.

We'll start with a series of Igniter Talks -- five-minute ‘power presentations’ designed to inform and ignite conversation. Four colleagues will be sharing what modes of celebrating FGLI graduates have been meaningful at their institutions, and how these celebrations may have shifted during the COVID crises. We’ll be hearing from:

• Ileana Casellas-Katz, Associate Director of Multicultural Affairs and Community Outreach at Columbia University

• Shakima Clency, Peggy J. Koenig ’78 Associate Dean of Students for Student Empowerment and Director of First-Generation & Low-Income Student Support at Cornell University

• Julio Reyes, Program Director for Undocumented, First-Generation College, and Low-Income Student Center (U-FLi Center) at Brown University

• April Ruiz, Dean for Academic Equity, Inclusion and Success at Wesleyan University (speaking about her previous work at Williams College)

Following the talks, we will have time in small and large groups to ask questions, share insights and best practices, and seek support as we finalize plans for graduation 2021.