I AM FIRST Awards

Each November, during Kent State University’s I AM FIRST celebration, members of the Kent State University community will be recognized and receive an I AM FIRST award.  Awards categories include First Gen Alumni (Undergraduate & Graduate), First Gen Advocates (Faculty & Staff), and First Gen Students (Undergraduate & Graduate).

 Nominate Here 

  • Undergraduate Student Award

    Undergraduate Student Award

    The I AM FIRST Undergraduate Student award recognizes exceptional undergraduate students of Kent State University who will be the first in their family to obtain a four-year degree, who has demonstrated an unwavering determination of overcoming barriers in pursuit of their education, and whose scholarship, leadership, and/or service to the university are reflective of the university’s mission.

  • Undergraduate Alumni Award

    Undergraduate Alumni Award

    The I AM FIRST Undergraduate Alumni award recognizes exceptional alumni of Kent State University who were the first in their family to obtain a four-year degree and whose professional achievements, career or military distinction, contributions to their community, and/or service to Kent State University are reflective of the university’s vision.

  • Advocate Award for Faculty

    Advocate Award for Faculty

    The I AM FIRST Advocate Award for Faculty recognizes a member of the Kent State University faculty who has made significant contributions to the success of first-generation college students through mentorship, pedagogical approach, first-gen focused programming, scholarly research, and/or service to organizations whose mission is directly related to first-generation student success.

  • Graduate Student Award

    Graduate Student Award

    The I AM FIRST Graduate Student award recognizes exceptional graduate students of Kent State University who will be the first in their family to obtain an advanced or terminal degree, who has demonstrated an unwavering determination of overcoming barriers in pursuit of their education, and whose scholarship, leadership, and/or service to the university are reflective of the university’s mission.

  • Graduate Alumni Award

    Graduate Alumni Award

    The I AM FIRST Graduate Alumni award recognizes exceptional alumni of Kent State University who were the first in their family to obtain an advanced or terminal degree and whose professional achievements, career or military distinction, contributions to their community, and/or service to Kent State University are reflective of the university’s vision.

  • Advocate Award for Staff

    Advocate Award for Staff

    The I AM FIRST Advocate Award for Staff recognizes a Kent State University staff member who has made significant contributions to the success of first-generation college students through mentorship, first-gen focused programming and initiatives, research, the implementation of first-gen student success strategies into their everyday work, and/or service to organizations whose mission is directly related to first-generation student success.

Previous Award Winners

2022 Award Recipients:

2022 I AM First Award Recipients
  • Hezekiah Seun Adewinbi – I AM FIRST Graduate Student Award Recipient
  • Ronshai Jones – I AM FIRST Undergraduate Student Award Recipient 
  • Mrs. Cynthia Smith – I AM FIRST Advocate Award (Staff)
  • Dr. Jennifer Marcinkiewicz – I AM FIRST Advocate Award (Faculty) (not pictured)
  • Imani Johnson (Class of 2017) - I AM FIRST Undergraduate Alumni Award Recipient (not pictured)
  • Mr. Carmen Roberts (Class of 2018) – I AM FIRST Graduate Alumni Award Recipient
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