OBSS’s Charge
The Cal State University (CSU) system has been a engaged in advancing Black student success and elevating Black excellence. As a continuation of the Black Student Success report, the CSU has completed a systemwide inventory to gain a greater understanding of how the 23 universities are currently supporting Black student success. Universities were asked to evaluate themselves based on selected recommendations that had a clear campus component, including; recruitment and outreach; student retention, persistence, and academic success; campus culture, community and belonging; and the role of Black faculty and staff in student success. The highlights include current efforts to support Black student success as well as a summary of campus-submitted action items to drive the vision of the CSU to become a nationwide leader in Black excellence.
CSUSB’s Office of Black Students Success (OBSS) within the Division of Student Affairs has a director and staff who lead, manage programs, events, and provide services in support of Black students’ academic achievement, retention, and graduation. OBSS has been a long time in development but was established in the Summer of 2024. The Black Scholars Program has evolved into an interdisciplinary office now known as the OBSS. Our ongoing partnerships with the BFSSA and the Pan African Student Success Center will focus on specialized recruitment and outreach efforts to enhance our engagement with African American students. A major effort of the BSP was advising, therefore the OBSS will continue that effort as well as add more as an office of several programs.
The charge as bulleted below, was derived from OBSS’s Director and Program Coordinator job descriptions and has been given and support by the campus community:
- The OBSS Advising Staff and Peer Mentors in the development and implementation of programs and initiatives to improve Black students’ academic achievement, retention, and graduation rates while fostering a sense of belonging and cultural affirmation.
- The OBSS Advising Staff and Peer Mentors are assisting students in the identification of academic and life goals and ways of pursuing them; assisting students with major and career choices and changes; assisting students with holistic counseling; helping students construct, monitor and update degree plans to promote timely graduation; making referrals as needed to campus and community resources; and related topics.
- Establish effective and meaningful relationships with students and provide direction to BSP Advisor and Peer Mentors in facilitating CSUSB Black undergraduate student connection to campus resources.
- Identify and encourage student engagement in activities/programs that support their retention, degree completion, and sense of belonging at CSUSB.
- Develop staff/faculty student mentoring program (e.g., Career path and research)
- Collaborate with faculty and staff from academic departments and other units to facilitate effective academic and financial aid advising and degree progress for students and ensuring timely graduation.
- Work collaboratively with on campus and off campus partners to deliver programs and initiatives involving career development, academic success, student learning, campus engagement, student wellness & well-being.
- Collaborate with various stakeholders, including students, faculty, staff, and community partners, to create an inclusive and supportive campus environment.
- Partner with various internal constituents including the Pan African Student Success Center on the collaboration and coordination of intentional programs that are focused on specific subgroups of Black students and their needs.
Staff
Director, Brandon E. Gamble, Ed.D.
Administrative Support Coordinator, Terri McCoy, B.S.
Program Coordinator, Ebenezer Ezenwa, M.S.
Palm Desert Contact, TBD
Services
- The Peer Mentoring program is offered to encourage community engagement among the new students who are first-years and transfers. Mentees and mentors are paired based on majors and/or interests.
- Drop-In Services -- We partner with the Career Center, Student Affairs Office, and the Academic Success and Undergraduate Advising (ASUA) office. Each week, staff from a variety of departments offer drop-in services to provide office hours for students to utilize resources and information.
- Fall/Spring Semester Hours - Check our social media for the latest updates.
Collaborations
- African American Initiative Outreach
- Black Student Success Steering Committee
- Black Residential Scholars
- Black Faculty, Staff & Students Association
- Ethnic Studies Department & BLM Statement
- Project Impact with College of Education
- Academic Success & Undergraduate Advising
- Black Student Union activities
- Pan African Student Success Center
- Library Collection of SB Black History
- Pan African Alumni Chapter
- Community Partnerships, and much more