Dear TC Community,

On Monday November 8, Teachers College will be celebrating First-Generation College Day, a national day recognizing the students, faculty, staff and alumni who were first in their families to pursue an undergraduate degree.  At TC, we will celebrate this amazing accomplishment of so many in our community and recognize their extraordinary pursuit of knowledge through Teachers College.
   
The first-gen experience in higher education is extremely important to us at TC. With more than 30% of TC’s master’s students and more than 40% of our doctoral students having identified as first-gen, we are committed to breaking down barriers for students to achieve their dreams. In recent years I have had the privilege of learning about the first-gen experience through many in our community at TC’s annual First-Generation & Diversity Graduation Celebration, which began in 2016. These scholars are trailblazers who bring unique and diverse perspectives to our community and carry forward our legacy of equity and inclusion.
 
There are many ways you can get involved and celebrate with us in the leadup to and on First-Generation College Day:  

• Visit our dedicated website where you can read and listen to inspiring stories from first-generation members of our community.
• Submit your own first-gen story! We want to hear about the dreams you realized and the ones to which continue to aspire.
• Celebrate with us on social media on November 8 by tagging @teacherscollege and #CelebrateFirstGen.
• If you are first-generation yourself, stop by Room 155 in the 528 Building and pick up your First-Gen pin that you can wear with pride throughout the day.
• Download our First-Generation flyer that can be printed and posted on office doors and bulletin boards across campus.
• Support TC with a gift to the College. Explore the ways you can direct your gift on First-Generation College Day.

I hope you will join in our First-Generation College Celebration on Monday and we look forward to celebrating all of your success!

Warm regards,

Janice S. Robinson, Esq.
Vice President for Diversity and Community Affairs;
Associate Professor in Higher Education
Title IX Coordinator