Harvard held its inaugural First-Gen/Next Gen Graduation Ceremony on May 23, a special commencement celebration honoring the achievements of graduating students across the University who are first generation, low income, undocumented, DACA or TPS recipients, or mixed-status.
Attended by more than 100 graduating students, the ceremony was jointly hosted by the Office for Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging and the Next Gen Initiative, which aims to improve existing resources for FGLI students across Harvardâs 12 schools.
Amanda K. Sharick, project lead for the Next-Gen Initiative, said that while students value Harvardâs general commencement, there is âsomething moreâ to a commencement celebration around the shared identity of being FGLI.