FIRST-GENERATION SUPPORT AND ENGAGEMENT

• New Student Orientation
• Summer Family Orientation
• Hofstra Fall Festival – Family Weekend
• Family Orientation – Spring
• Tea, Tulips, & Trees

The Office of First-Generation Support and Engagement is thrilled to celebrate our first-gen graduates! In late spring, registration will open for students to register themselves and their family, friends, and guests for this free event. Each student will be recognized, receive their first-gen graduation chord, and have the opportunity to have their photo taken solo and/or with their support system.

In the Fall of 2018, Hofstra launched the First Gen LLC, a Living Learning Community for first-generation students. Located in Amsterdam House, which is part of The Netherlands first-year residential complex, the First-Gen LLC is home to up to 54 first-gen students per year.

Students in this community benefit from having peers who are most likely also first-generation students, a first-gen Resident Assistant and Senior Resident Assistant, and mentorship from first-gen faculty and staff, including the Senior Assistant Dean of Students and Director of First-Generation Support and Engagement. This combined leadership team deliver a diverse slate of social and educational programs for students to participate in, make connections, and cultivate a genuine sense of first-gen pride.

One signature LLC program is the monthly First-Gen Family Dinners. Each month, Dr. Smith chooses a person from the campus community to cook a homemade meal that they would make for their own family. Oftentimes, their partners and children also join. These guest chefs have included staff, faculty, directors of campus departments, academic chairs, Deans, Vice Presidents, and even the Provost.  The goal of the evening is for students to meet and interact with someone at the University who they should know, but who they may not regularly have the opportunity to connect with. Students report that these connections give them a sense of confidence that helps them make connections with similar individuals at the University later on. Everyone reports that the food is fantastic!