Being the first in your family or support system to go to college can be a challenging task. The Intercultural Collective is here to help you define success, pursue your aspirations and reach your goals.
First-Generation College Celebration Week 2025
Join the campus community Nov. 3-12, 2025, in celebrating first-generation students, faculty and staff through a variety of events! This celebration is to commemorate the signing of the Higher Education Act (“HEA”) of 1965 by President Lyndon B. Johnson. The HEA created federal financial aid programs to aid students’ educations and made key investments in colleges and universities, such as the Federal TRIO programs.
The University’s First-Generation College Celebration Week events are made possible by the collaboration and generous contributions of multiple individuals, offices and units on campus that believe in elevating and celebrating our first generation community of students, faculty and staff.
RSVP for First-Generation College Celebration Week events today!
Occurring each day throughout the week, first-generation college students are invited to participate in the following events. The full schedule can be found below.
| Event | Date | Time | Learn More |
|---|---|---|---|
| First-Generation Book Display at Bird | Monday, Nov. 3-Wednesday, Nov. 12 | All Day | Learn more! |
| First-Generation Letters: Postcards of Gratitude | Monday, Nov. 3-Wednesday, Nov. 12 | All Day | Learn more! |
| Whitman First Kickoff Luncheon | Monday, Nov. 3 | 12:40-2 p.m. | Learn more! |
| First in STEM | Monday, Nov. 3 | 4:30-6 p.m. | Learn more! |
| Keynote and Book Signing With Erica Alfaro: Harvesting Dreams in Stormy Weather | Monday, Nov. 3 | 6-7:30 p.m. | Learn more! |
| High Impact Practices: Community Service Open House | Tuesday, Nov. 4 | 10:30 a.m.-noon | Learn more! |
| High Impact Practices: Research and Funding Opportunities for First-Generation Students | Wednesday, Nov. 5 | 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | Learn more! |
| First-Generation Bingo | Wednesday, Nov. 5 | 1-2 p.m. | Learn more! |
| First-Generation Game Night | Wednesday, Nov. 5 | 5-6:30 p.m. | Learn more! |
| Dining Etiquette With Crystal Bailey | Wednesday, Nov. 5 | 6-7:30 p.m. | Register now! |
| The Art of the Follow-Up: Turning Contacts Into Connections | Thursday, Nov. 6 | Noon-1 p.m. | Register now! |
| First-Generation Students and Graduate School | Thursday, Nov. 6 | 2:30-3:45 p.m. | Register now! |
| First-Generation at Newhouse: Breakfast With the Dean and First-Generation Faculty and Staff | Friday, Nov. 7 | 9-11 a.m. | Learn more! |
| Excel Tutoring and Cookies | Friday, Nov. 7 | 11 a.m.-2 p.m. | Learn more! |
| Thriving as a First-Generation Professional: Navigating the Workforce With Confidence | Monday, Nov. 10 | 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | Learn more! |
| Balancing College and Career | Monday, Nov. 10 | 2-3 p.m. | Register now! |
| CLASS: Tutoring Connections for Best Academic Outcomes | Monday, Nov. 10 | 4-5 p.m. | Learn more! |
| Roots and Routes: Networking Event | Wednesday, Nov. 12 | 6-7:30 p.m. | Learn more! |
Special thanks to the work of the First-Generation Committee, the Student Experience Division, People and Culture, the Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP), Student Support Services (SSS), the Kessler Scholars Program, the Intercultural Collective, First Year Seminar, New Student Programs and Syracuse University Libraries. Extended thanks to our academic partners: College of Arts and Sciences, Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, the College of Engineering and Computer Science and the Martin J. Whitman School of Management.
Syracuse University First-Generation Faculty and Staff
During their time as college students, the following Syracuse University faculty and staff self-identified as first-generation. Composed of faculty and staff members from various backgrounds and disciplines, this list is a visual representation of their dedication to helping current first-generation students build their personal success networks and their eagerness to help grow a campus of support. Students are encouraged to connect with faculty and staff members, who can then share their personal journeys, insight and support throughout this unique student experience.
Add your name to the First-Generation Faculty and Staff List!
| Name | Title/Role on Campus | Hometown |
|---|---|---|
| Maricelis Abreu | Staff Therapist, Barnes Center at The Arch – Counseling | Hartford, CT |
| Rachel Allen | Leadership Coordinator, Student Engagement | Syracuse, NY |
| Reighan Alston | Assistant Director of Fitness Programs, Barnes Center at The Arch – Recreation | Bronx, NY |
| Cisem Arda | Fulbright Turkish FLTA, Department of Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | Edirne, Turkey |
| Peter Astras | Assistant Teaching Professor, Department of Writing Studies, Rhetoric and Composition | Brooklyn, NY |
| Shelby Bergen | Career Advisor, Career Services for the College of Engineering and Computer Science | Baldwinsville, NY |
| Saedra Blow | Academic Learning Specialist, Center for Learning and Student Success | Jericho, VT |
| Tammy Bluewolf-Kennedy | Assistant Director/Native American Liaison, Undergraduate Admissions | Oneida, NY |
| John Boccacino | Senior Internal Communications Specialist, Division of Communications | Rochester, NY |
| Carrie Brown | Director of Counseling, Barnes Center at The Arch-Counseling | Brockport, NY |
| Ana Caliz Casanova | Monograph Cataloging Librarian, Syracuse University Libraries | Huesca, Spain |
| Colleen Cameron | Professor of Practice, Human Development and Family Science | Buffalo, NY |
| Cara Capparelli | Clinical Case Manager for Barnes Center at The Arch – Counseling | Syracuse, NY |
| Tianna Carrington | Graduate Admissions Specialist, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science | Brooklyn, NY |
| Giovanna R. Colosi | Librarian for the School of Education, Team Lead, Syracuse University Libraries | Syracuse, NY |
| Diane Crawford | Executive Director for Institutional Culture, Whitman School Dean’s Office | Harrisburg, PA |
| Amy Criss | Professor and Department Chair for Psychology | Akron, OH |
| Jessica Cuadra | Intramural Sports Coordinator for Barnes Center at The Arch – Recreation | Miami, FL |
| Harlie Dalfo | Assistant Director, Transfer & Veteran Admissions | Wallacetown, PA |
| Jessica Del Fuoco | Academic Advisor, Newhouse School of Public Communications | Syracuse, NY |
| Tiffany Dennett | Director, Greek Life | Houston, TX |
| Melinda Dermody | Associate Dean for Academic Success, Syracuse University Libraries | Akron, OH |
| Linda Dickerson-Hartsock | Advisor of Strategic Initiatives, Syracuse University Libraries | Wappinger Falls, NY |
| Joseph Ditre | Professor, Psychology | Fairlawn, NJ |
| Nicolette A. Dobrowolski | Director of the Special Collections Research Center, Syracuse University Libraries | Hopewell Jct., NY |
| Carol Fadda | Associate Professor, Department of English | Beirut, Lebanon |
| Melissa Figueroa | Assistant Director, Newhouse Career Development Center | Yabucoa, Puerto Rico |
| Tiffani-Marie Fite | Coordinator of First-Generation Programs, Intercultural Collective | Oahu, Hawai’i |
| Patricia Ford | Budget Manager, Department of Physics/College of Arts & Sciences | Pompey, NY |
| Amy Friers | Academic Counselor, Falk College Student Services | Syracuse, NY |
| Catherine García | Assistant Professor, Human Development and Family Science | Los Angeles, CA |
| Jules Gibbs | Part-Time Instructor, English and Creative Writing | Clarks Summit, PA |
| Karess Gillespie | Assistant Director for Residential Living | Oklahoma City, OK |
| Leonard Grant | Assistant Professor of Writing and Rhetoric, Department of Writing Studies, Rhetoric, and Composition | Rahway, NJ |
| Cassaundra Guzman | Doctoral Candidate and Instructor, School of Education, Cultural Foundations of Education | Los Angeles, CA |
| Butch Hallmark | Director, New Student and Transition Programs | Tuscaloosa, AL |
| Chandice Haste-Jackson | Associate Dean for Falk College, Student Services & Associate Teaching Professor for Human Development and Family Science | Syracuse, NY |
| Cristina Hatem | Director of Strategic Marketing and Communications, Syracuse University Libraries | Buffalo, NY |
| Shannon Hitchcock Schantz | Director, First Year Seminar | Lowville, NY |
| Thomas Hoang | Academic Advisor, Whitman School of Management | Syracuse, NY |
| Jonathan J. Hoster | Associate Director for Undergraduate Admissions & Recruitment, College of Engineering and Computer Science | Philadelphia, PA |
| James Hougland | Professor, Chemistry and Biology | Rock Island, IL |