Blog Posts/Past Events

On Jan. 22, 2026, 1stGenYale gathered at Yale’s Office of Federal & State Relations in Washington, D.C., where Director Sarah Shapiro shared updates on Yale’s Capitol Hill work, including the newly passed Appropriations Bill’s implications for funding and financial aid. Members connected with alumni, welcomed new WDC member Victoria Hernandez ’17 (AAAS STPF), and look forward to future events in the office’s shared space.

Over 30 alumni and 75 undergrad & graduate students connected with each other at our 10th annual Career Networking Mixer. Held again at the Afro-American Cultural Center, the event allowed alumni to share stories of their career journeys, while students shared their hopes and dreams for their future. Jose Diaz de Leon '21 MPH reflected on meeting a first-year student, originally from Nicaragua, whose "personal story and values reminded me of my own family values and college j

In November 2025 1stGenYale NYC hosted a private guided tour and discussion of the Activist New York exhibit at the Museum of the City of New York. Sixteen alums participated, including graduates from Yale College, the Yale School of Law, and the Yale School of Management, in classes spanning 1977 to 2025. Billy Cheung '99 and Grace Kim '22, 1stGenYale NYC co-chairs, created the event for the Yale community.

1stGenYale is proud to announce the appointment of four new members to its Board of Directors for a three-year term, effective January 2026. We welcome Jose Diaz de Leon MPH ’21, Carla Rangel ’24, Evelyn Letona-Robles ’25, and Brian Zhang ’25. Each new member was approved by unanimous vote. These individuals bring a deep commitment to supporting Yale’s first-generation and low-income (FGLI) students and alumni, along with a wide range of professional experience and leadership