There's a saying that, "It takes a village to graduate a Black scholar." If UCR is the village, African Student Programs is the gathering spot, a place where current students, alumni, faculty, staff, local leaders, community members, and more come together. Founded in 1972 through the efforts of student activists, ASP was the first professionally staffed Black student resource center in the UC system. Today, ASP is dedicated to helping Black students achieve their UCR goals, connect with peers, celebrate and share cultural traditions, open doors to internships and jobs, and grow as leaders and scholars.

Learn more about the history of ASP and Black students at UCR in this video. Watch this presentation for more information on ASP. You can also follow ASP on Instagram for the latest news, events, and updates.

I am a second-year sociology major. I plan to become a marriage and family therapist after the completion of my undergraduate degree. I live to spread joy and the importance of mental health, especially within BIPOC communities. 

I am very active in all of my leadership roles as I currently serve as a board member for organizations including the Black Student Union, where I am retention director, Associated Students of UCR , where I am campus organizing director, and the UC Student Association,  where I am ACQUIRE Campaign vice chair. The time I have spent dedicated to  these organizations has enhanced my leadership skills and has aided me in my work in the Undergraduate Admissions as a member of the Community Engagement and Outreach unit. I hope to ensure an easy and overall great transition to incoming/transfer students.

My main advice for students is to become well-rounded individuals and to remember that college is about their own personal growth. I think many students come to college with certain expectations placed upon themselves of what they're "expected" to be rather than focusing on who they want themselves to be. By aiming to be the person that they would like to see, it can lead to tremendous growth and long-lasting happiness.

I am a second-year sociology major from the San Fernando Valley. After undergrad, I plan to pursue a dual degree to get my JD and my master's in counseling. I hope to become an immigration attorney and help give a voice to people who don't have one.

I have always been involved in leadership and I am currently the internal vice president for the Black Student Union and the recruitment chair for the National Black Law Student Association.

The biggest resources to me have been the TRIO Scholars program and African Student Programs. They are how I am able to build my networking skills and stay on track not only in regard to graduation but career success. These programs have provided me with valuable information and are the reason I was able to obtain a large scholarship. 

My biggest piece of advice would be put yourself out there by getting involved because it helps to have people in your corner supporting you and providing resources. I would also encourage students to live in the moment and enjoy their college experience because it goes by fast. College isn't just about classes and grades, while they are important it is also necessary to experience social life and discover yourself as a person.

Produced by the CEO unit, the Blue, Gold & BLACK podcast is dedicated to amplifying Black voices at UCR. Hosted by Dominique Beale, CEO admissions recruiter, the bimonthly podcast features interviews with UCR students, staff, faculty, leaders, alumni, and community allies to explore the intersection of being Black and a UCR Highlander during these history-making times.

Guests on the latest episodes include several UCR staff members: Kevin Martin with Recreation, Michelle Burroughs with the School of Medicine, Latoya Ambrose with University Honors, and Paige McGee with the Department of Entomology. Subscribe and listen to the latest episodes.

Vibe with Your Tribe at R'Side

Puente and Umoja Admitted Student Celebration: Vibe with Your Tribe at R'Side
April 29  |  3–6 p.m. Pacific Time
Register

Join your students in celebrating their admission to UCR and help them start building their community at this exclusive event for Puente and Umoja students! Your students are invited to register today for this virtual event where you will hear about life at UCR from current students, connect with campus resources, learn about financial aid, get your questions answered by admissions counselors, meet other admitted students, and more. 

Highlander Days

Highlander Days: Transfers 
May 6–7  |  Webinars begin daily at 3 p.m. Pacific Time
Register

Registration is still open for Highlander Days: Transfers, UCR’s virtual open house for admitted and prospective students and their families. During Highlander Days, your students can attend live webinar presentations from Undergraduate Admissions, UCR colleges, Financial Aid, Housing, and more. Plus, they could win incredible giveaways just by attending sessions. If your students missed the freshman sessions earlier this month, or would like to revisit the sessions they attended, recordings are available at highlanderday.ucr.edu.

R'World Community Event

R'World Community Event: Transfers 
May 6  |  6–7:30 p.m. Pacific Time
Register

Presented as part of Highlander Days: Transfers, this session will connect your students with our Diversity and Ethnic & Gender Programs offices — including African Student Programs, Chicano Student Programs, the LGBT Resource Center, and more — and share how these programs will support and empower them during their time at UCR. Separate registration is required.

SIR Deadlines

• Freshmen SIR Deadline - May 1
• Transfer SIR Deadline - June 1 
   

Documents and Test Scores Deadlines 

• All Freshmen: Submit final, official high school transcript
• All Transfers: Submit final transcripts/documents for coursework completed through end of spring
• International Students: Submit the I-20 application

• All Freshmen: Submit official AP, IB, and A-Level exam scores
• International Students: Submit test scores and supporting documents

UCR's School of Medicine was established to address the shortfall of medical professionals in Inland Southern California. Students can earn an M.D. to become a physician or a Ph.D. to be a biomedical scientist and make healthcare more accessible to the 4.2 million people who call our region home. The School of Medicine was recently recognized as one of the most diverse medical schools in the country by U.S. News & World Report.

Undergraduate students in all majors at UCR who are interested in attending medical school benefit from programs including paid internships with the School of Medicine, pipeline programs that provide pathways to students interested in a range of health industry careers, and the Health Professions Advising Center where students in all majors can get guidance in planning for career and advanced degrees. UCR students can also apply for early or guaranteed admission to the School of Medicine through the Thomas Haider Program.

The School of Medicine recently hosted a virtual open house that included a special presentation on pipeline programs at UCR. Recordings of all open house sessions are available on the School of Medicine website. Stay up to date with the School of Medicine on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. 

According to new numbers from UCR’s Office of Institutional Research, among freshmen who entered UCR in 2014, 77.3% graduated by 2020. That breaks the previous record of 76%, set last year, UCR News is reporting. This six-year graduation rate exceeds the currently available national six-year graduation rate of 63.4%.

UCR has been nationally recognized for narrowing the achievement gap and saw near-parity among underrepresented minority students in this six-year graduation numbers, UCR News reported. From the 2014 cohort, 81.8% of Asian students graduated by 2020; 78.4% of white students; 78.1% of Black students; 73.7% of Latino students and 62.5% of American Indian and Pacific Islander students. Nationally, 44.3% of Black students; 57.8% of Latino students; 40.8% of American Indian students and 53.3% of Pacific Islander students graduated in six years.

“UCR is within the top 15% of institutions in the United States in terms of its overall graduation rate, and is especially strong at graduating students of diverse backgrounds at near parity,” Scott Heil, UCR’s assistant vice chancellor for Institutional Research, told UCR News. “Other universities looking to raise the graduation rates of their underrepresented students could do well to follow UCR’s lead.”

UCR is in the top 13% U.S. of universities in terms of Black students graduating in six years and the top 15% for graduating Hispanic students in that same timeframe, according to comparisons calculated by the Office of Institutional Research. 

Since earning her sociology degree from UCR last year, Destiny Mitchell has been keeping busy. Member of the Sigma Gamma Rho Inc. sorority and track and field team during her time at UCR, Mitchell is currently pursuing a master's degree in sports management from the University of San Francisco and running accessories boutique Divine Destiny.

Launched in November, Divine Destiny sells purses, jewelry, and accessories including crystal-studded facemasks online and at pop-up shops in the Bay Area. Mitchell founded the business to not only offer high-quality, affordable handbags to her customers, but also empower them. 

"We as women are often left to fight against the stigmas that are set around mental health, which is why I established Divine Destiny," Mitchell shared on Instagram. "My passion to improve the mental health of women is what moves me to provide affirmation cards with every purchase and post inspirational quotes using my social media platform. My hope is to inspire you all to be the best versions of yourselves, in all aspects of your life."

Follow Divine Destiny on Instagram to see the latest additions to Mitchell's line and where the boutique will be popping up next.