CMU First-Gen Week 2026 is Nov. 2–6
CMU is celebrating First-Gen Week from Nov. 2–Nov. 6. CMU is a designated first-generation serving institution, where over 44% of the student population is the first in their families to attend college. During First-Gen Week, the First-Gen+ Support Center is hosting a series of events to bring together first-generation students and the rest of the campus community to celebrate.
First Gen Headshots
Nov. 2, 2026 | 1–4 pm | Arcadia
Join the First-Gen+ Support Center at Arcadia for a free professional headshot. Headshots are a great resource for students when applying to jobs or building their professional business portfolio on LinkedIn. This is also a great networking opportunity to meet other first-generation students and the First-Gen+ Support Center staff.
Guest Speaker: Lasada Pippen
Nov. 4, 2026 | 10:30–12 pm | Admissions Welcome Center
CMU students are welcome to join a free presentation and light brunch from Lasada Pippen at the Admissions Welcome Center. The presentation starts at 11 am. Pippen will be presenting Students Who Win, an engaging, high-energy student message designed to help students take ownership of who they are becoming. With storytelling, humor and audience interaction, Pippen will challenge students who understand that winning is not reserved for the classroom, the field, the stage, or the future; winning starts with the choices they make every day.
Positive Affirmation Cards
Nov. 5, 2026 | 1–3 pm | University Center First Floor
The First-Gen+ Support Center will have a booth set up on the first floor of the University Center where students can stop by and write their own positive affirmation cards to themselves or a peer. The event is free to attend between classes or while stopping to get lunch or a snack in the University Center.
Friday Art Walk
Nov. 6, 2026 | 4–6 pm | Main Street
Students can meet at the Historic Lowell School Building on Nov. 6, 2026, to experience the GJ Creates First Friday Art Walk. Stroll Main Street to learn about the statues and pieces of art along the streets of downtown with fellow first-generation and CMU students.
First-generation students are an integral part of the CMU community. They embody CMU’s values of resilience and curiosity and take on the challenge of navigating the college experience for the first time. The CMU First-Gen+ Support Center is a great resource for students looking to network, navigate class registrations or financial aid questions and build a community.
Happy First-Gen Week, CMU!
Learn more about CMU's first-generation student resources and explore the full list of first-generation events.