Events

Every semester events for first-generation and/or limited-income students are organized by the staff of the Hub for Student Inclusion and Community. From social get-togethers to informative workshops, panels, and networking opportunities, there will be many ways to connect with your peers, as well as helpful staff, faculty, and alumni. Events will often feature free food, giveaways, and fun. Follow us on Instagram @urspidersfli, sign up for our listserv, or join our Group Me for more information about upcoming events. We hope to see you often.

For more information, email Lisa Mathews-Ailsworth at lisa.mathewsailsworth@richmond.edu or visit linktr.ee/spidersfli.

Fall 2025 Events

Ghost Tour 
🗓️ Thursday, October 30th 🕒 6:45-9:30pm📍 THC, Transportation Hub
Join us for a Ghost Tour of Church Hill.  Please note this not a haunted house, thus you will not be chased, touched, forced to see scenes, etc. This is a walking tour of the Church Hill neighborhood led by Haunts of Richmond whom will be sharing spooky stories of the area's history.
Please sign up here.  

Mentoring Program: Phillipa Soo
🗓️ Thursday, November 6th 🕒 7:00-9:00pm📍 Camp Concert Hall
Join us to see Tony-nominated Broadway actress Phillipa Soo, best known for her role as Eliza Schuyler in Hamilton, for a discussion highlighting her career journey and the role of the arts in shaping community and identity and for the reception that will follow the program. Tickets will be available for students at https://bit.ly/phillipa-soo.

National First-Generation Students Celebration, Nov. 1-15
There will be something for everyone at this year's First-Gen Celebration. Please join us at all the events that you can! Note that some require registration and the link to register is included in the event description. 

First Gen Celebration: Apple Picking at Carter Mountain
🗓️ Friday, November 7th 🕒 1-7:00pm📍 THC, Transportation Hub
Travel to Carter's Mountain in Charlottesville where you can pick your own bag of apples, and enjoy some apple cider and an amazing apple cider donut. Dress for the cool, fall weather, wear closed-toe shoes, and get off campus with us! Registration is required and space is limited. Please sign up here.  

First Gen Celebration: Headshots and Career Talks
🗓️ Wednesday, November 12 🕒 11:00am - 2:00pm📍Multicultural Space, Whitehurst
Come have your professional headshot taken for your LinkedIn profile or other professional materials for free! Professional attire is recommended. (Did you know that you can apply for funding to purchase professional clothing through UR's Career Opportunity Fund?) While you are waiting for your headshot, chat with Career Services advisors about your job or internship search, get your resume reviewed, or learn more about their numerous programs that support your career development.

To learn more about the application process please sign up here.  

Mentoring Program: Career/Academic Pathways
🗓️ Thursday, November 20th 🕒 5:00-7:00pm📍 Heilman Dining Center, Westhampton Room
Ethan Knight will be joining us from the Office of Scholars and Fellowships to discuss opportunities and lead us as we discuss the various paths available to students at UR and across the globe. 

Study Break 
🗓️ Tuesday, December 2nd 🕒 5:00-9:00pm📍 Whitehurst, Multicultural Space
Stop in to join us for snacks, quiet study space and assistance from the librians of Boatwright Libary. 

Mentoring Program: End of the Semester Celebration
🗓️ Thursday, December 4th 🕒 5:00-7:00pm📍 Whitehurst, Multicultural Space
Join us for dinner and to celebrate the end of the semester and the holiday season. 

First-Gen Celebration Dinner
🗓️ TBD 🕒 TBD Ballroom, Queally Admissions Center
It's time to celebrate you and all your accomplishments! Join us for a special National First-gen Day Celebration Dinner, (with really yummy food) featuring an etiquette lesson from Elizabeth Soady & Leslie Stevenson from Career Services. Also attending will be lots of supportive faculty and staff, most of whom are first-gen so you can build your UR network of friends, allies, and mentors. 

To learn more about the application process please sign up here.  

Meet Up ~ The Hub: Alumni Mixer 
🗓️ January 27 🕒 6-7:30m📍 TBD
Join us to meet the amazing alumni that have come before you and learn how to make the most of your time at UR. 

Meet Up ~ Senior Celebration 
🗓️ May 🕒 TBD📍 Jepson Alumni Center
Join us as we celebrate our graduating seniors! 

Watch for more events posted as the semester goes along.

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Get a Jump on Your Career with Career Pathway Iniatives

The Career Pathway Iniatives program is launching this Fall with 4-week virtual programming to learn how to find and talk with professionals in your field of interest. Many FLI students don't have large personal networks of professionals who can guide them to internships or jobs, or explain what their worklife is really like. Career Pathway Iniatives is a nonprofit founded to teach you how to build your own professional network and how to practice having meaningful career conversations with them.

You get a micro-learning webinars, coaches, and more to support you. You will have to do a little work, no more than 1-2 hours a week, which will be well worth it to be able to land your dream job!  

The meeting times are yet to be determined. 

If you are ready to register, please email Lisa Mathews-Ailsworth at lisa.mathewsailsworth@richmond.edu. 

Past Events:

Fall 2025 Events

Get the Scoop on Spiders FLI! 🕷️🍦
Join the Spiders FLI Ice Cream Mixer — a casual mixer for first-gen and/or limited-income students to connect, build community, and learn about the events, resources and support available through the Spiders FLI Program. (First-generation means that neither of your parents/guardians completed a four-year degree, while limited-income means that you rely on a substantial financial aid package to attend UR.) Looking forward to meeting you there, or at any of our upcoming events! 💙 

Golf Outing 
Join the Spiders FLI as we learn the basics of golf and visit the The Dominion Club. 

Study Abroad Session
Experts from Global Engagement, Financial Aid, and Scholars and Fellowships will answer your questions about how Study Abroad works, and what the University offers to make it affordable for everyone. FLI students who have studied abroad will also attend to share their experiences. No registration is required. 

Crepes & Crafts
Experience the joy of community with, or without your loved ones, while crafting and consuming crepes. 

Fall Break Trip to Charlotte, North Carolina

Mentoring Program:

  • Welcome
    The Spiders FLI Mentors and Mentees will be meeting to kick off the year, and review the program's learning objectives, agenda and set up group standards. Meet the other program members, have a little fun together, and learn about the ways the program can help you settle into Richmond. 

  • Boatwright Library Resources
    Experts from Boatwright Library will teach you techniques be successful in the classroom. Upperclassmen FLI students will share their tips and tricks as well. No registration is required. 

  • StrengthsQuest
    Experts from the University of Richmond's Human Resources will debrief our results of the Fallup's StrengthsQuest and discuss how our strengths can be used to our benefits. No registration is required.

Meet Ups:

  • UR:
    • Spider Fest
    • Study Abroad Fair
    • Passport Fair  
    • Celebration of Dance
    • Modlin Performance - Silent Sky
    • SOLS - Celebremos con Colores
  • The Hub:
    • STRIDE First Year-Retreat
    • Block Party
    • Don't be an NPC

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Older Events

Spiders FLI Lunch for new Spiders
FLI Peer Mentor Program Kick-Off and Induction
Spiders FLI Field Day
FLI Vision Board Making
FLI Field Trips:

  • Altria Theatre to see Moulin Rouge
  • Escape Rooms
  • Kayaking
  • Kings Dominion
  • Stand Up Paddle Boarding
  • Top Golf Outing 
  • Trip to DC
  • VMFA - Virginia Museum of Fine Arts