The AFRO (Afrikans for Retention and Outreach) Living Learning Community welcomes first students from all cultures within the African diaspora who are interested in exploring their African and Black identities while enhancing their collegiate experience through networking and mentorship opportunities, academic support, and community engagement.
Available to: First-year Students
Located in: Granite Pass
The program was established by student leaders of the AFRO Organization to unite students in the African diaspora and to increase the retention and four-year graduation rates through various resources that enhance students’ academic success. As a signature initiative of the AFRO student organization, AFRO LLC provides opportunities for scholars to engage in three student success-driven focus areas:
- Community building and cultural capital
- Academic excellence and retention strategies
- Community outreach and servant leadership
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Program Requirements
AFRO students will be required to attend a mandatory orientation at the beginning of the Fall semester and a Spring Kickoff at the beginning of Spring semester.
AFRO residents are expected to spend 4-6 hours per week engaged with their LLC in activities, including:
- Enrollment and active participation in the USTU 10 seminar class (for first-year scholars) or in the black identity seminar class (for second-year scholars)
- Community service totaling at least 8 hours per semester
- Participation in 4 hours of group study sessions per week
- Attendance at weekly AFRO community gatherings/meetings
- These includes AFRO Student Organization’s bi-weekly general body meetings to support overall community building and mentorship through collective education.
- For the weeks when a general body meeting does not take place, community gatherings will vary in purpose, ranging from workshops and restorative circles to social activities and mentorship opportunities.
- Active participation in events hosted by the AFRO Student Organization and peer Afrikan/Black organizations on campus
AFRO LLC scholars are also highly encouraged to take advantage of opportunities curated for them to thrive throughout and after their college experience, including:
- Off-campus trips to cultural venues and experiences (museums, theaters, art shows, etc.) each semester
- The Inclusive Excellence Symposium hosted by the Office of Social Justice Initiatives & Identity Programs
- Various student retreats (i.e. Social Justice Retreat, Black Excellence Retreat, etc.)
- Office hours and mentorship hours with the AFRO LLC graduate fellow, lead scholar, student coordinator and resident assistant
- Guest speakers
Seminar Class
For first-year students the USTU 10 seminar is a 1-unit pass/no pass class that meets in the evening once a week in the residence hall. This course is designed to help scholars adapt to their new college environment and to transition effectively into their important roles as college students and scholar leaders. Students admitted to the AFRO Living Learning Community will be given more information about how to enroll in the class, including a sample course syllabus to get an idea about the coursework and expectations. This course is taught by AFRO LLC graduate fellow.
The Benefits and Outcomes of the AFRO LLC Experience
Living and learning as a member of AFRO LLC is a unique experience for a select group of students. Full participation in this program is designed to launch students toward success, both during their collegiate career and following graduation. AFRO LLC scholars will be provided workshops, community gatherings, off-campus experiences and additional resources to reach the following program outcomes.
Program Outcomes for First-Year Scholars
- Students will explore the African diaspora and Black culture while gaining awareness of their own personal identities through cultural events, seminars, workshops, faculty and student-lead talks/panels and conferences.
- Students will maintain a minimum 2.75 grade-point average their first year in the LLC through support, guidance and the delivery of structured programming that supports the holistic development of its members.
- Students will help cultivate a safe and inclusive LLC that fosters a sense of belonging in alignment with UC Merced’s Principles of Community to build a support system.
- Students will belong to a mentoring dyad as a mentee to facilitate social and professional development opportunities within the AFRO LLC community.
- Students will gain the necessary skills in order to adapt to the college environment and successfully navigate their first-year experience through attending AFRO LLC events and enrollment in the introduction to undergraduate studies course USTU 10.
- Students will learn to create and maintain a safe space to discuss and reflect on current affairs and be able to engage in healing, restorative and anti-racist practices for everyday life.
How to Apply
African-American students and people interested in exploring Black experiences at UC Merced are encouraged to apply. Students must complete the online housing application by the deadline. On the online application, please select AFRO Hall from the drop-down menu of Living Learning Communities. In the application, please make sure you fill out the brief supplemental questionnaire to determine their ability to participate in the AFRO Hall Living Learning Community. Once an application has been accepted and processed by the housing office,students will then receive an email indicating if they have been selected to reside and participate in the AFRO Hall Living Learning Community. In this email, they will also find the CRN and course details needed to register for the USTU course. Student will need to be continuously checking their email throughout the summer for updates or information regarding the Fall semester.
If you have additional questions, please email, Liana Williams, Coordinator for Black Academic Success Initiatives at afrooutreach@ucmerced.edu with the subject line “AFRO Hall Inquiry.”
If you have specific questions regarding housing, including the cost of housing and meal plans, please visit the housing website.
