University Hosts First-Generation Voices Panel
Binghamton University panelists shared advice for first-generation students on navigating campus life and seeking support.
Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in College Applications
Binghamton University hosted a First-Generation Voices panel on Tuesday featuring first-generation students, alumni and university employees. Panelists encouraged students to reach out for support when needed.
Why it matters
First-generation students may not have someone to explain the ins and outs of campus life, so panels like this offer practical guidance from peers who have navigated the same challenges.
The panel was part of an ongoing series of first-generation events at Binghamton University, and the upcoming networking dinner marks the fifth annual edition. Attendance numbers for the panel were not provided.
The players
Binghamton University
A public research university in Binghamton, New York, part of the State University of New York system, which hosts first-generation support programming.
The details
Panelists Jon Hagofsky, a philosophy PhD candidate; Kayla Elder, an oncology lab technician; and Kevin Cai, an industrial and systems engineering student, shared personal experiences. They said it is okay to fall and fail as long as a person gets back up and finds a support team, and noted that the university has resources available to help students.
Timeline
Tuesday (November 10, 2026): First-Generation Voices panel held at Binghamton University.
Thursday, Nov. 12, 2026: Fifth annual B-First Gen Networking Dinner at the Union Building.
Culture Shift
The panel fits within Binghamton University's recurring B-First Gen event series, which has grown to a fifth annual networking dinner. It reflects a broader campus effort to make first-generation students feel supported in navigating college.
Binghamton first-generation students and families can use the panel's advice to seek campus support early. The upcoming networking dinner offers a direct opportunity to connect with peers and mentors.
The takeaway
Reaching out for support early is a practical step first-generation students can take to navigate campus life. Panelists emphasized that setbacks are part of the process when a student has a support team to help them recover.
What happens next
The fifth annual B-First Gen Networking Dinner will take place Thursday, Nov. 12, 2026, at the Union Building on the Binghamton University campus.
Further reading
For more on preparing for higher education, explore College Applications coverage for Binghamton.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Wbng.
