From Roots to Results: an event dedicated to First-generation Students and Staff

The university community The university community is invited to take part in the online event "From Roots to Results: An Interactive Reflection on Educational Family Background, Privileges, and Achievement". An event focusing on the experiences of first-generation students – that is, those who are the first in their family to attend university.

The event will take place on Monday 4 May 2026, from 12.30 pm to 2.00 pm, online, and is organised by FirstGen Network as part of the cooperation project funded by swissuniversities, “First-Gen+: Advancing First-Generation Students and Academics in Swiss Higher Education”, in which USI is a partner through its Equal Opportunities Service.

Academic and career paths are influenced by many factors: opportunities, social context, support networks, and access to information and available resources. Among these, family educational background represents a dimension that is often overlooked but significant. The event offers a participatory discussion on how family background can influence educational choices, the university experience and future prospects, whilst highlighting the determination, resilience and achievements of those who have forged their own path without academic references within their families.

The FirstGen Network is an emerging network that brings together students and researchers in Switzerland who share the experience of being the first in their families to attend university. The aim is to create spaces for discussion, mutual support and greater awareness of the issue within academic institutions.

The initiative forms part of a wider national commitment to promoting equity, inclusion and equal opportunities in higher education. The University of Lugano is one of the partner universities in the First Gen+ project – Advance First-Generation Students and Academics in Swiss Higher Education, which supports resources and initiatives dedicated to first-generation students and academic staff.

Participation is free of charge, subject to registration via the following link.

Further information is available on the FirstGen Network website.