During one of Penn First’s events during Gen Week, a celebration of the resiliency and success of the first-generation, low-income (FGLI) community, the “photo booth” allowed anyone who identified as FGLI or as an ally, to personalize signs explaining what FGLI means to them.
Along Locust Walk on Monday, April 9, FGLI sophomore Sebastián González from El Paso, Texas, stopped by and so did Arnaldo Diaz, the assistant dean for research training programs at the Perelman School of Medicine, who took part as an ally.
Nicole Posadas, a sophomore from Belleville, N.J., who is majoring in earth science in the School of Arts and Sciences, serves as Penn First’s communications chair. Through a strategic approach to social media outreach, she’s successfully promoted Gen Week.
“We want to show that there’s a big presence of FGLI students at Penn and its growing,” says Posadas, who encourages everyone to share their pictures as their Facebook profiles. “This spreads awareness about the FGLI experience and increases visibility on campus.”
Penn First welcomes everyone – FGLI or not – to attend the events throughout Gen Week, which runs through Friday, April 13. These include: an informal session on Financial Aid 101, a seminar on “Positioning Yourself for the Future,” and “Hill and Chill,” a way for upperclassmen to share their wisdom and a meal with freshman at Hill House dining hall.
Photo at top: Arnaldo Diaz, the assistant dean for research and training programs at the Perelman School of Medicine supports Penn First in its Gen Week photo campaign. Photo: Eric Sucar
