The event, held at Phillips Academy Andover, brought together students, faculty, staff, and allies for a day of student-led dialogue and collaboration. Students facilitated workshops and conversations that explored lived experiences, identified persistent barriers, and proposed actionable solutions to strengthen campus communities. A central theme was the importance of normalizing conversations about being first-gen, not as a one-time identity tied solely to college or independent school access, but as an experience that continues to shape how students navigate educational and professional spaces.

"The event offered an important mirror, highlighting how navigating systems as a first-generation student doesn’t end at a single milestone," Mr. Botchway shared. "I’m bringing back a deeper understanding of how first-gen identity continues to influence access, confidence, and belonging over time."