Let’s celebrate the outstanding accomplishments of #UMLFirst students, faculty and staff. This year, First-Gen Week @ UMass Lowell is Nov. 6-10.

Meet Some of Our First-Generation Students

Karam Alafandi
Karam Alafandi '24
History, Pre-med

Karam Alafandi is studying history on his way to becoming a doctor.

I’m looking forward to having lifetime relationships with my patients.
Read More About Karam Alafandi 
Finance student Heer Patel seated inside a UMass Lowell building
Heer Patel '23
Accounting, Finance

A staff accountant internship at Novogradac confirmed business major Heer Patel’s interest in auditing.

I wanted a college that I could afford, and that has diversity and inclusiveness and makes me feel welcome. UMass Lowell was perfect.
Read More About Heer Patel 
Ashley Rose in a room with piles of newspapers behind her
Ashley Rose Rivera '23
English-Creative Writing

As student newspaper editor, Ashley Rivera helps other people tell stories.

English is an amazing department. It’s a hidden gem.
Read More About Ashley Rose Rivera 
UMass Lowell student Wonder Ahiatsi poses with economics Professor Tommaso Tempesti.
Wonder Ahiatsi '23
Quantitative Economics

Wonder Ahiatsi chose UMass Lowell for its B.S. in quantitative economics.

Issues of economic policy affect the well-being of countries.
Read More About Wonder Ahiatsi 
UMass Lowell business student Kristin Kihara holds a tablet displaying the cover of her magazine Black.
Kristin Kihara '24
Business Administration, Entrepreneurship

Kristin Kihara started her own digital magazine, Black, highlighting creators who “aren’t really seen.”

There’s a big African population here, and I wanted to go somewhere where I’d feel comfortable.
Read More About Kristin Kihara 
Nicole Carrasco-Cruz inside the Red Sox Fenway Park
Nicole Carrasco-Cruz '22
Criminal Justice

Becoming a Red Sox Scholar in middle school set Nicole Carrasco-Cruz on course for her UML degree.

I fell in love with the school, the staff and the people. I knew this was the right environment for me.
Read More About Nicole Carrasco-Cruz 

2024 First-Gen Week Events

All Week:

First Gen Book Den
O'Leary Library, Room 300
These books are a special collection from RHSA, sharing literary resources that speak to the first-gen experience. Borrowing is the same as you would borrowing any other book in O'Leary or Lydon. Check-out at the library counter.

RHSA Pumpkin Painting

Monday, Nov. 4
2-5 p.m., O'Leary Library, Room 300
Turn your creativity into art. Join RHSA and other students for pumpkin painting! Everyone is welcome!

Fall-ing for First Gen with Zuckerberg College of Health Sciences

Wednesday, Nov. 6
11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Health & Social Sciences, Room 107
Apple cider, sweet treats and chili....join us for a fall-themed celebration. Stella (Associate Dean Champagne's dog) may make an appearance! Drop-in!

First-Gen Fest: Food, Facts & Fun with the College of Fine Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences

Thursday, Nov. 7  
11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Coburn Hall, Room 255
Celebrate First-Gen Week at UMass Lowell at this drop in event! Come meet with RHSA peer leaders and faculty, win swag or enter the raffle, and enjoy complimentary food with FAHSS!

First-Gen Pizza & Conversation with Kennedy College of Sciences

Thursday, Nov. 7  
3:30-4:30 p.m., Olsen 348
Stop by for pizza and soda and to meet your KCS first-gen community. Grab some swag and fun items!

Celebrate First-Gen with Francis College of Engineering

Thursday, Nov. 7  
5:30-7 p.m., Southwick 256
Join us for a celebration of our first-gen students. Whether you stay for the whole event or just drop in, enjoy an atmosphere of creativity and community. Connect with your FCE community, get resources and fun swag.  Food and drinks will be provided.

RHSA Leaf Your Mark

Friday, Nov. 8
10 a.m. - 4 p.m., O'Leary Library, Room 300
Celebrate with First-Gen gratitude! Hang out in the RHSA lounge. Help draw, paint and craft our autumn tree by writing what you're grateful for, advice to other FG students, what a River Hawk means to you, or design your own leaf!
First-Gen Week @ UMass Lowell is sponsored by the River Hawk Scholars Academy, the College of Fine Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, the Francis College of Engineering, the Kennedy College of Sciences, the Manning School of Business, the Zuckerberg College of Health Sciences.

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