A commitment to the success of Black students and scholars

Pathways to connection, resources and success

ASU is committed to all backgrounds, perspectives and identities.

As a New American University we enable academic excellence, accessibility and impact in communities around the world, allowing for the rich diversity and broad perspectives among our campus communities to engage with the most inclusive solutions possible.

As an institution that measures itself by whom we include and how they succeed, ASU is committed to the success of Black and African American students and scholars. We recognize the importance of expanding our offerings to the benefit of every Sun Devil and find that this is dependent on how we enhance representation, growth, and connection among diverse cultures and identities.
Michael Crow
President
Nancy Gonzales
Executive Vice President and University Provost

A holistic approach to support


ASU provides support through areas critical to a students journey in higher education, among them include many ways to pay for college, find a community, connect with mentors, and sustain academic success.

 

Paying for college

 

It’s no secret that college is a major investment. The good news is, students have access to many forms of financial aid to help pay for an investment that yeilds dividends. Learn about the various types of financial aid, how to get them and help in navigating the process.

Financial aid


 

Embrace cultural connections

 

Having an environment that recognizes, respects and supports a student’s identity is vital to their academic and personal well-being. ASU recognizes this and values the rich diversity of faculty, staff and students whose presence enriches the university community. Explore the spaces, programs, and student organizations honoring and embracing your heritage.

Campus connections

African American ASU student graduate

Exploring a profession

 

Navigating your professional journey can be competitive and confusing, but exploring professional opportunities at the university or at an organization of a students choosing can help prepare them before graduation. ASU has many opportunities to help you fulfill your aspirations.

Professional Opportunities

 

 

Seeking academic support 

 

Programming not only prepares a student for their college experience, but empowers them with the confidence to seek help in their educational journey through services like tutoring, study groups, and academic advising. Identify the resources that can help in overcoming academic obstacles.

Academic support

Our growing community


12,271

Total Black or African American student enrollment* for Fall 2023. 

*reflects students who identify in multiple racial/ethnic categories. 

2,475

Black or African American students* who received a degree in AY 2022-23

*reflects students who identify in multiple racial/ethnic categories

34%

Black or African American undergraduates* who are first generation** college students. Across ASU, 33% of all undergraduates are first generation students. 

*reflects students who identify in multiple racial/ethnic categories

**first generation-percentage is based on FAFSA applicants only

 

Students making an impact


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Alena Wicker

Ever since Alena Wicker was a young child, she’s always set the bar high for herself. At 4 years old, she was fascinated with space, dreaming of one day working with astronauts. Now, at only 14 years old, she is studying biological sciences online at ASU and became the youngest Black student to get accepted into medical school. Read more
 

14 years old
Online student
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Jordan Collins

While Collins was completing his studies, he was never too far away from the greenhouse. He worked as a germplasm technician, who managed the campus date grove and helped set up a vertical farm. Now a master’s student in applied biosciences, Collins is investigating how the quality and color of light wavelengths affect the amino- and fatty-acid content of okra. Read more

Polytechnic alumnus

 

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Kiera Charley

After serving for 21 years in the United States Army, raising children and sending them off to college, Tashieka Russell felt it was important to finish her education that she started before the military. Russell, who lives in Seattle, was inspired by her life experiences to pursue a degree in African and African American studies through ASU Online. Read more

Veteran
Parent
Deans Medalist

A community of distinguished scholars


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Neal A. Lester

Foundation Professor, English
Founding Director, Project Humanities

Lester is a prolific scholar and his research and teaching interests include African-American literature and culture, race and representation, and diversity, equity and inclusion. Lester brought a new way of thinking to ASU with the Project Humanities initiative he founded 12 years ago, which aims to promote humanities by facilitating conversations across diverse communities.

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Sharon Bramlett-Solomon

Associate Professor
Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication

Sharon Bramlett-Solomon has devoted more than three decades to researching diversity and media issues, including the workplace environment and experiences of journalists of color in the news industry. Bramlett-Solomon was recently recognized for her decades of work and distinguished achievement in diversity research and education. 

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Vernon Morris

Foundation Professor and Associate Dean, New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences

Morris is responsible for advancing the research and scholarly production of four schools in the New College. Previously, he was the founding director for a center in which multidisciplinary research aimed to understand the world’s atmosphere and societal responses to weather, climate, and air quality.

Advancing Black success


Unifying and advocating for students of African descent

The Black African Coalition supports recruitment, retention and graduation through the provision of programs and activities for all campus communities.
 

Get connected

Deepening our understanding of historical issues and possibilities

The Center for the Study of Race and Democracy is the only entity in the state to position race and democracy in direct relation to each other through powerful and informed dialogues.

Join the dialogue

Accelerating meaningful change through twenty-five actions

An enterprise-wide effort to accelerate change through actions in support of Black faculty, staff and students under four categories that endeavor to Listen, Invest, Facilitate and Teach.

Learn more

Student centered spaces to connect and engage with one another

These spaces provide an opportunity to intensify collegiate engagement that can positively impact the academic work and research, aspirations and leadership of all historically underrepresented communities.

Find a location

Martin Luther King Jr.

Student Servant Leadership Award

Colleen Jennings-Roggensack, ASU Vice President for Cultural Affairs and ASU Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Committee Chair, will announce the recipient of the 2025 ASU Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Student Servant-Leadership Award. Under the auspices of the theme Spaces We Belong, a call for nominations was held in Fall of 2024.

Find out more

Black excellence in the news