Office of Black Excellence

The Office of Black Excellence strives to celebrate the Black experience, create awareness, and connect all students to resources that enrich their time on campus and help them create paths toward successful futures.

Celebrate

We encourage and promote the exploration of the experiences of Black Americans through educational events and historical observances. Key events and programs sponsored by the Office of Black Excellence include:

New Student Cook Out

Connect with the Office of Black Excellence through a social event hosted at the beginning of fall semester.

Cultural Exchange and Community Exploration

Learn about African Americans’ experiences through dialogue and immersive experiences, such as museum visits, off-campus excursions, and cultural events.

Networking Experiences

Meet alumni from various fields, learn how to network, and expand your connections.

Student Conferences

Attend a local or regional conference that relates to your experiences and helps empower you as a member of an underrepresented student population.

Black History Celebration

Celebrate Black History through a collaborative event sponsored by offices across campus.

AU offers amazing mentoring programs that connect students of color with minority professionals, including alumni, who provide career advice and networking opportunities. Zack ’25, Business Administration

Create Awareness

The Office of Black Excellence can help you maximize campus resources, opportunities, and practices to achieve personal and academic excellence, such as:

In partnership with your professors and Career Services, the office develops opportunities to connect you to student support resources and mentors that help strengthen your success.

The Black Student Union (BSU) promotes cultural unity. — BSU promotes cultural unity throughout the AU community.

Office of Black Excellence Kickback — The Office of Black Excellence sponsors monthly social events, including game nights, karaoke, and kickbacks.

BSU hosts an annual Black Ball to celebrate AU's Black community with a small ceremony, music, and social.

Solidarity Event — As part of Black History Month programming, AU Trustee member and BSU Founder, Odie Washington '72, shared career insights and advice on making the most of opportunities.

Students at Graduation — The Office of Black Excellence ensures students receive the support, resources, and guidance needed to achieve personal and professional goals.

Connect

We bring all students together to embrace community resources and foster post-graduation success through a variety of services and groups, including:

Weekly Study Tables

Meet one-on-one with a staff member for consultation and academic support.

Monthly Lunch Meet-Up

Connect with a staff member over lunch in Tru Blu Dining.

Black Student Union (BSU)

Help promote the Black experience to the entire campus.

Other campus opportunities for Black students include My Brother's Keeper.

BSU faculty advisors have aided my academic, emotional, and spiritual growth. They provide valuable information about job opportunities and scholarships for post-grad education. It’s also a safe environment where we can unapologetically be ourselves. Cheyenne ’25, Nursing

Contact Information

Keith Wise, Director of Black Excellence
Wackerlin Center for Faith and Action
630-844-5405
kwise@aurora.edu

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