Sacramento State U. creates the nation's first Black Honors College

[get these nets]

Sac State’s launch of Black Honors College heralds first-in-the-nation initiative​

Sociology major Imani Harper, right, and Kinesiology major Blaire Nelson are among those looking forward to participating in the new initiative

February 12, 2024

Sacramento State is recruiting students for the inaugural class for the newly created Black Honors College, the first institution of its kind in the nation.
The college is specifically designed for all students interested in Black history, life, and culture. It will start accepting students in fall 2024.

The University’s announcement of the college’s creation coincides with Black History Month, which the University is celebrating throughout February. One of the month’s key events is Super Sunday, on Feb. 25. That day, campus leaders, including President Luke Wood, will visit Sacramento-area churches that serve predominantly Black congregations to extoll the value of higher education and encourage young people to attend Sac State.

In creating the Black Honors College, Sac State is taking initiative to support the CSU’s efforts to advance Black student success. A key goal is to boost Black graduation rates and improve Black student enrollment and retention.

The University will provide details to the public about the college during a community meeting at 5 p.m. Feb. 19 in Library Room 11.

Sac State enrolls more Black and African American students than any other university in the CSU system, and Wood said the University should lead the way in ensuring that they succeed in college and beyond.
“While we have the highest population of Black students, we are in the bottom quartile for success, and have been for many years,” and the Black Honors College will seek to reverse that trend, he said.

The college will offer high-achieving students of all races, cultures, and majors a comprehensive curriculum focusing on the Black and African American experience.

“We already have some cultural communities, like the MLK Center and the DEGREES Project, but this will go much further. I think students who hear about this will be very hopeful and will want to join in.” -- Imani Harper, Sac State Sociology student

It will feature specialized general education courses with smaller classes, and faculty members who have a record of success in serving Black and African American students.
“The Black Honors College is designed to create a pathway for our Black students at Sacramento State that has never existed, to uplift our scholars, and to help them persist to graduation,” said Boatamo “Ati” Mosupyoe, the college’s dean of students and chief academic officer. Ruth Williams, previously associate director of Sac State’s DEGREES Project, is staff director.
“There will be an intentional focus on authentic mentorship to adjust students to the rigors of college, paid internship opportunities to give students tangible experience, and elite co-curricular education to enhance their overall college experience,” Mosupyoe said.