Indiana University Indianapolis and the NCAA are partnering to expand the campus’s annual First-Generation Celebration to three events from Nov. 4 to 6. In past years, IU Indianapolis hosted an event in conjunction with national First-Generation College Celebration Day, observed on Nov. 8.

The First-Generation Committee, made up of volunteer staff members, was looking to create more ways to recognize the achievements of first-generation students when the NCAA reached out.

“A lot of student-athletes are first-generation college students, and the NCAA recognizes how important it is to celebrate and support those students,” said Eric Williams, chair of the First-Generation Committee and senior executive director of educational success programs in the Division of Undergraduate Education.

NCAA Fan Jam activities will be part of first-generation celebration at IU Indianapolis. Photo by Liz Kaye, Indiana University

The First-Generation Student Celebration will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 4 on the first floor of Taylor Hall and in Taylor Courtyard, where the NCAA Fan Jam mobile event truck will be set up. Fan Jam is a traveling exhibition that is building excitement for the men’s basketball Final Four, which Indianapolis will host in 2026. The celebration will also include food, music, a photo booth, games, and opportunities to learn about and connect with campus resources.

“The celebration is about having fun, recognizing students and their achievements, and making sure that they feel welcome,” Williams said. “We look at it as a campus celebration, so all members of the campus community are encouraged to stop by and enjoy the event.”

The second event of the series is an opportunity for students to hear personal stories from peers, professors and campus leaders. “First-Generation Voices of IU Indy: A Celebration of Students, Staff and Faculty” will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Nov. 5 in the Campus Center Theater. The panel discussion will feature five students, Kelley School of Business professor Demetra Andrews and Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Eric Weldy.

“We have a large number of faculty and staff who are also first-gen students,” Williams said. “That’s really important because students may feel like they are by themselves. We want them to know that they are not alone; there are many others who share similar experiences.”

The slate of events will wrap up with “Game Changers: First-Gen Journeys in Sports and Leadership” from noon to 1 p.m. Nov. 6 in Campus Center 450A.

Participants will share personal stories and professional insights, and connect with students. Scheduled speakers include JoAn Scott, NCAA vice president of men’s basketball, Kelley Bates-McNulty, stakeholder engagement manager with Indiana Sports Corp, and Robert Faulkens, IHSAA assistant commissioner.