The First-Generation Student Working Group is a relatively new group of staff focusing on the structural needs, programmatic opportunities, and overall community of first-generation students at the University of Oregon. The first time that the University of Oregon celebrated first-generation students was with the First-Generation Student Celebration of Fall 2018. The 2018 Celebration was hosted by the PE and Recreation department and provided time to come together and celebrate the first-generation students, faculty, and staff at the UO.

In 2019, the First-Generation Student Working Group was formed. This working group really formalized first-generation student support and allowed there to be a group of staff who could intentionally support the first-generation student population on campus. In the 2018 First-Generation Student Celebration, hosted on November 9th 2019, we were welcomed by President Schill (a first-generation student himself), had a panel of first-generation students, staff, and faculty speak, and hosted a networking activity. All aspects of this event were focused on developing community and showing first-generation students are not alone on campus.