Office of Black Student Success

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. OBSS services and events are open to all students who attend CSUSB.

OBSS's Mission

• To engage students in alignment with the CSU’s Central Office for the Advancement of Black Student Success and CSUSB strategic plans, with CSUSB community support, towards academic and career success that follows in the legacy of Black people’s success in education from the Inland Empire and beyond California. 
• This mission is accomplished via:
  • Advising in academics, finances, and careers
  • Mentoring via peers and faculty/staff
  • Strategic events and programming that encourages community belonging, academic success, and career readiness
  • Referrals to resources that promote student well-being and community empowerment

Staff

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.
• OBSS services and events are open to all students who attend CSUSB

Collaborations

• 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
• Outreach & Recruitment, and Admissions
• Black Student Union activities
• Pan African Student Success Center
• Library Collection of SB Black History
• Pan African Alumni Chapter
• The Voice from the Jack H. Brown College of Business and Public Administration’s (JHBC) Office of Academic Equity
• Community Partners and much more

OBSS Black Experience Course

On the CSUSB Black Experience Course as developed with CSUSB Academic Success and Undergraduate Advising (ASUA) and the OBSS! Our first course was Fall of 2025. We will be offering the latest course in Spring of 2027!

Black Graduation Ceremony

The Black Faculty Staff and Student Association hosted 33rd Annual Black Graduation Ceremony in May of 2026!!! For more information about the 2027 ceremony, contact  Ms. Cherica Bell, the Vice President for the Black Faculty Staff & Student Association at cbell-silvera@csusb.edu