First-Gen Events and Involvement
There are many ways for first-generation college students at PNW to get involved! From annual events to student organizations, discover opportunities to participate and connect.
Learn About the First-Gen Honor Society
To me being a first gen student means perseverance. There's a lot of different things that I've had to go through and I'm still here.
Annual First-Gen Events
The Office for First Generation College Student Initiatives hosts several annual events to help connect and support students.
Monthly Mixers
Monthly
Every month, the Office for First Generation College Student Initiatives organizes a gathering.
Each event features a unique theme or topic that is important for first-generation students to learn about, all while having fun!
It’s All New to Me Too
Being successful in college truly takes a village! This exciting event kicks off at the start of your college journey. Connect with students, faculty and staff.
Get tips for how to have an amazing semester from student leaders.
First-Gen Celebration Week
Week of November 8
PNW celebrates First Generation College Student Day (November 8) with a week full of celebrations!
From celebrations, award recognitions, featured keynote speakers, and much more, PNW is committed to acknowledging first-gen student excellence.
Graduation Celebration
December and May
Every semester, the Office of First Generation College Student Initiatives hosts a graduation celebration for first-generation graduates.
This event is dedicated to recognizing the significant milestone achieved by our first-generation scholars.
First-Generation College Scholar Celebration
Inspiring the next generation. That’s Powering Onward.
Relive the fun from our First-Generation College Scholar Celebration!
Student Involvement
Tri-Alpha
An Honor Society for First-Generation College Students
Tri-Alpha was founded on March 24, 2018, at Moravian College in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, with the induction of 100 members of the Alpha Chapter. Moravian College then took steps to incorporate Alpha Alpha Alpha as a not-for-profit organization so colleges and universities across the country could start their own chapters of the society. Purdue University Northwest joined Tri-Alpha in 2023, inducting into its chapter during a 2023 induction ceremony.
Officers
- President: Megan Rae Maxwell
- Secretary: Laila Ibrahim
- Historian: Michelle Leon Zendejas
Advisors
Tri-Alpha Highlights
Students, faculty, and staff who qualify will receive an invitation to apply for Tri-Alpha membership. Once their applications are accepted, they will be invited to an induction ceremony, where they will become official members of the society. Our Tri-Alpha chapter holds induction ceremonies each fall and spring.
Undergraduate students qualify for Tri-Alpha membership if they meet the following criteria:
- The student has earned at least 30 credit hours toward a baccalaureate degree.
- The student has achieved an overall GPA of at least 3.2 on a 4.0 scale.
- Neither of the student’s parents, nor stepparents, nor legal guardians, completed a bachelor’s degree.
Graduate and professional students qualify for Tri-Alpha membership if they meet the following criteria:
- The student has completed at least one semester at Purdue University Northwest and earned nine or more graduate credits.
- The student has achieved a GPA of 3.5 or higher (if your school/college uses a high pass/pass system, your average is high pass).
- Neither of the student’s parents, nor stepparents, nor legal guardians completed a bachelor’s degree.
Faculty and staff may be inducted as well. To qualify, they must have met the definition of a first-generation student listed above at the time they completed their bachelor’s degree. Faculty and staff must be willing to serve as mentors for first-gen students.
A small number of alumni and honorary inductees may also be initiated each year.
After qualifying for membership and paying a small initiation fee, Tri-Alpha members receive the following benefits:
- A certificate and pin signifying their lifetime membership in the society.
- Tri-Alpha silver and dark blue double honor cords to wear with their cap and gown at Commencement.
- An outward recognition of personal accomplishment and an incentive for continued high scholarship.
- The opportunity to meet other first-generation scholars from all academic disciplines and to join them in promoting academic excellence and creating a supportive environment for first-gen college students.
- Recognition by employers, professionals, and graduate schools of their superior academic ability and commitment.
- The ability to mentor younger first-gen students.
- The ability to receive mentoring from more senior first-gen students, as well as faculty, staff, and alumni who were first-gen students.
- Local chapter leadership opportunities.