Black Student Experience

A Community of Support

From the moment you apply to the University of California, Riverside (UCR) through the moment you earn your diploma and beyond, you’ll be surrounded by mentors, peers, programming, and resources that will support you along your path to success. The members of the Black Alumni Chapter have lived the Highlander Experience and will guide you. The Black Faculty and Staff Association is made up of successful professionals on campus across disciplines who will serve as your role models and mentors. African Student Programs (ASP), the first professionally staffed Black student resource center in the UC system, will be your home base, a space to learn, connect, serve, and grow. Develop as leader, build community, and get involved on campus by joining one of the more than 450 student organizations at UCR or one of our more than 30 Greek organizations. Take part in research, intern in Sacramento or Washington, D.C., participate in a service learning project, or teach a one-unit class through Student Engagement programs.

Digital illustration for the Blue, Gold & Black Podcast. The podcast title is displayed in block letters at the bottom, with illustrated silhouettes of Black students in gold and blue colors. The background shows graphics depicting sound waves.

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Partners in Your Success

You have the drive and the passion to pursue your dreams. UCR has the programs and resources to make those dreams a reality.

Academic Enrichment & Support

If you need extra help in your classes, or are interested in helping fellow students excel, the Academic Resource Center partners with African Student Programs (ASP) to offer tutoring and other academic support. Work as a research assistant or find a peer mentor in your major. Intern with a government agency in Washington, D.C., earn academic credit for community service projects, or create and teach your own course through Undergraduate Education programs.

African Student Programs

Founded in 1972 as a result of Black scholar activism, African Student Programs (ASP) serves as a hub for Black scholars at UCR. The office promotes academic excellence by providing opportunities for students in their development as role models, leaders, scholars, and professionals. One of UCR's eight Ethnic & Gender Programs offices, ASP presents programming throughout the year including the Melanin Masterclass three-day orientation for incoming first-year and transfer students; The Shop event for incoming Black male first-year and transfer students hosted by local campus and community leaders; the Leadership Experience series facilitated by Black alumni, faculty, and staff; the B-Well Series on physical, emotional, and mental health presented in partnership with Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS); and the Black Graduation ceremony celebrating Black scholars who have completed their degrees at UCR.

Campus Life

UCR is home to more than 450 student clubs and organizations covering a wide range of interests, including including fraternities, sororities, social justice organizations, cultural organizations, and academic organizations. One campus group is the Nigerian Student Association, which spreads and shares the Nigerian culture, provides a network from students to others, and increases awareness of Nigerian students presence. The Black Student Union provides a space for all students to gain personal knowledge and information about African/African American/Black populations in an effort to help bring down cultural barriers and stereotypes that plagued the African/African American/Black minority for centuries. The National Society of Black Engineers aims to increase the number of culturally responsible Black engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally, and positively impact the community.

Financial Aid

Find out how affordable and valuable a UCR degree can be for California residents and out-of-state students, including being automatically considered for scholarships. In 2023-24, 85% of UCR undergraduates who applied for aid were awarded aid, and 97% of undergrads who were awarded aid received need-based scholarships and/or grants. The Financial Aid office also provides Financial Wellness programming to help you make smart choices for managing your money now and planning for the future. ASP can connect you with scholarship opportunities.

Health & Wellness

The health of your mind, body, and spirit are integral to your personal and academic success. The Well is UCR's student-focused well-being and health promotion department. It develops and implements innovative health campaigns, programs, and events with our partners and peer educators to provide awareness, skills and support to help students develop healthy habits that last a lifetime.

Housing

Live in a supportive community with other students who share your goals and interests in one of UCR's Living-Learning Community options. One option is the Pan-African Theme Hall (PATH), which was founded by Black scholars in 1993 and offers residents academic workshops, guest presentations, hall dinners, social functions, field trips, cultural events and more to students interested in expanding and developing their consciousness of Pan-African culture and its relationship to other cultures of the world.

Applying to UCR

Learn more about UCR's admissions requirements below. Questions? Get answers at admissions.ucr.edu/ask.

Student Spotlights

“As a Black student at UCR, it feels like I belong. I feel part of the UCR community. I found people I could relate to socially and intellectually, as well as people who shared my goals and aspirations.”

JOSIAH, Alumnus