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
Spiders FLI: Get the Scoop on Spiders FLI! 🕷️🍦
🗓️ Sunday, August 24th 🕒 1pm📍 The Current, Tyler Haynes Commons
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! 💙
Mentoring Program: Welcome
🗓️ Thursday, August 28th 🕒 5:00pm📍 The West Hampton Room, Heilman Dining Center
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.
Spots are still available for both mentors and mentees - Please email Lisa at lisa.mathewsailsworth@richmond.edu for more information.
Meet Up ~ The Hub: Block Party
🗓️ Friday, August 29th 🕒 3:00pm📍 The Patio, Whitehurst
Everyone is invited to enjoy food, music, and fun as we kick off the year with a celebration of community. There will be brief presentations about each of our programs, including LGBTQ+ Campus Life, and Multicultural programs. Spiders FLI students are invited to stop by and get some swag, and our events calendar for the semester.
Meet Up ~ STRIDE First Year-Retreat
🗓️ Saturday, September 6th 🕒 10:00am-5:00pm📍 Transportation Hub, THC (Virginia Museum of History & Culture). We hope all first-year and transfer students will join us for a day long retreat that celebrates diversivty, empowers inclusion, encourages discovery and equips you with the skills to thrive at UR.
Meet Up ~ UR: Spider Fest
🗓️ Thursday, September 4th 🕒 4-7pm📍 The Forum
Spiders FLI: Golf Outing
🗓️ Sunday, September 14th 🕒 1pm📍 Transportation Hub, Tyler Haynes Commons (The Dominion Club)
Join the Spiders FLI as we learn the basics of golf and visit the The Dominion Club.
Spiders FLI & Mentoring Program: Study Abroad
🗓️ Thursday, September 11th 🕒 5:30pm📍 The West Hampton Room, Heilman Dining Center
Experts from International Education, 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.
Meet Up ~ UR: Spider Fest
🗓️ Thursday, September 4th 🕒 4-7pm📍 The Forum
Spiders FLI & Mentoring Program: Study Skills
🗓️ Thursday, September 25th 🕒 5:30pm📍 The West Hampton Room, Heilman Dining Center
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.
Meet Up ~ UR: Self Care Day
🗓️ September 🕒 TBD📍 Tyler Haynes Commons
Spiders FLI: Crepes & Crafts
🗓️ Sunday, September 28th 🕒 11:00am - 1:00pm📍 The Westhampton Living Room, Westhampton Deanery
Experience the joy of community with, or without your loved ones, while crafting and consuming crepes.
Mid Autumn Festival
🗓️ Monday, October 6 🕒 TBD📍 TBD
Meet Up ~ Gabby Day
🗓️ Monday, October 6 🕒 TBD📍 TBD
Meet Up ~ UR: Study Abroad Fair
🗓️ October 🕒 TBD📍 Alice Haynes Room, Tyler Haynes Commons
Meet Up ~ UR: Passport Fair
🗓️ October 🕒 TBD📍 International Education Center
Spiders FLI: Fall Break Trip to Charlotte, North Carolina
🗓️ Saturday, October 11th - Tuesday, October 14th📍Charlotte, North Carolina
To learn more about the application process please sign up here.
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.
Headshots and Career Talk
Wednesday, November 10, 11:00 - 2:00 pm, 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. Registration for Headshots is full, but you are welcome to drop by and talk with a career advisor. The Technology Learning Center in Boatwright Library also offers headshots.
National First-Gen Celebration Dinner
Thursday, Nov. 6, 5:30 - 7:00 pm,
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 some words of wisdom from a former first-gen student herself and faculty member of the Jepson School, Dr. Crystal Hoyt. 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. Register here at https://tinyurl.com/URFLIDinner by Nov. 1 to guarantee your spot.
Apple Picking at Carter Mountain
Saturday, Nov. 11, 12 pm departure, return by 5:00 pm
Spiders FLI go to the mountains! 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. We were able to obtain more transportation so we are currently accepting folks for the waitlist, https://tinyurl.com/FLIApples.
Meet Up ~ 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.
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:
Spiders FLI Lunch for new Spiders
Will you be here for a pre-Orientation program like Endeavor, Thrive, or International Orientation? Join us for lunch, meet incoming FLI students from the other programs, hear from some returning FLI students who will share their best advice on how to settle in and be successful at UR, and learn how you can get more involved with the Spiders FLI program. Registration by August 14 is highly encouraged so we have enough boxed lunches.
Everyone is invited to enjoy food, music, and fun as we kick off the year with a celebration of community. There will be brief presentations about each of our programs, including LGBTQ+ Campus Life, and Multicultural Student Programs. Spiders FLI students are invited to stop by and get some swag, and our events calendar for the semester at our info session at 5 pm in the Whitehurst Living Room.
FLI Peer Mentor Program Kick-Off and Induction
Saturday, Sept. 2, 2 pm. Whitehurst Living Room
New peer mentees and mentors are invited to officially kick off the program together. Meet the other program members, have a little fun together, and learn about the ways the program can help you settle into Richmond.
Spiders FLI Field Day
Bring your competitive juices and compete for prizes at our first-ever FLI Field Day. Play classic games like limbo, water balloon toss, egg and spoon races, and musical chairs. Try your luck on the giant inflatable Hungry Hungry Hippos game! If you're not feeling competitive, there will be plenty of things to do just for fun, or you can cheer on your friends.
FLI Vision Board Making
What do you want your Richmond experience to be? What are your goals for the semester or the year? Come join us as we envision, together, what our futures can look like, and think about ways that we can intentionally make it happen.
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