March 6th 2024.
The State Hornet recently reported on the efforts of the California State University system to support its Black student community in light of a decline in enrollment and retention rates nationwide. In a bold move, Sacramento State is introducing the groundbreaking Black Student Success Task Force, along with the innovative Black Honors College - a first-of-its-kind program aimed at promoting academic achievement among Black students.
The Black Student Success Task Force is a crucial component of CSU's 2025 Graduation Initiative, with a focus on recruitment, retention, achievement, graduation, and creating a sense of belonging for Black students on campus. With a student body of approximately 2,000 Black students, Sacramento State stands out as the CSU campus with the highest number of Black students, making it a vital hub for the Black community.
Taking the lead as cabinet-level sponsor for the Black Success Initiative is Mia Settles-Tidwell, vice president for Inclusive Excellence at Sacramento State. The BSI aims to address longstanding inequalities by fostering a supportive educational environment for Black students in higher education. This aligns with CSU's broader initiative to ensure that all students, regardless of their race, ethnicity, and financial background, have equal opportunities to earn a college degree.
Ernest Uwazie, director of the Center for African Peace and Conflict Resolution and co-chair of Black Faculty Success, stresses the importance of retaining Black faculty to enhance the sense of belonging for Black students. He advocates for educating faculty on the unique challenges faced by Black students in the classroom and supporting them accordingly.
Tina Jordan, co-chair of Black Student Success and member of Sac State's Peer and Academic Resource Center, highlights the significance of creating inclusive classrooms. The BSI Task Force is determined to address the obstacles faced by Black students, such as mistreatment from professors, and foster a sense of community and acceptance.
In order to achieve the goals set by the Black Student Success Task Force, the Black Honors College is set to open in the fall of 2024. This program will play a pivotal role in providing individualized resources for research, scholarship, and service centered on the Black experience and thought. President Luke Wood emphasizes the transformative impact of the Black Honors College, which will offer dedicated space and resources for academic excellence.
Priority admission for the Black Honors College is currently open until March 1, with standard admission available from April 1 to June 1. Students with a Grade Point Average of 3.5 or higher are encouraged to apply, as there are also financial aid opportunities available.
Elijah Martin, Outreach Coordinator for the Martin Luther King Jr. Center, praises the Black Honors College for tackling the issue of low graduation rates among Black students. This institution-within-an-institution approach is seen as an innovative solution to uplift and empower Black scholars.
It is evident that Sacramento State is dedicated to the success of its students of color, as demonstrated by these groundbreaking initiatives. This marks a historic moment for higher education and the Black community, showing a commitment to addressing long-standing inequalities.
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