Citrus College program provides Black students with sense of community

By Anthony Contreras, Ed.D., Citrus College Governing Board Member

When Britney Harris enrolled at Citrus College, she knew she wanted a career that would allow her to help those in need. However, her goal of becoming a registered nurse wasn’t solidified until she joined the college’s Black Scholars program. “I was connected with students of different ages and majors,” she said. “Sharing our beliefs and ideas pushed me to pursue my future career in nursing.”

Introduced in spring 2021 and launched the following fall, the Black Scholars program aims to reach all members of the Black community at Citrus College. The program, which promotes Black excellence on campus, is not just limited to students. Black faculty, staff and administrators are encouraged to participate, as are allies of the Black community.

Black Scholars is the brainchild of La Quirshia Fennell, adjunct counselor, and Dominic Jacquet, educational advisor. When students in the Black Student Union identified a need for a resource on campus that empowered them to be their authentic selves, the two counseling employees began brainstorming solutions. The result is a program uniquely tailored to the college’s Black community.

Focused on community and friendship, the Black Scholars program works to help students establish a strong sense of belonging on campus. In addition to providing events and activities that connect them to their culture, the program also offers counseling and advisement, mentorship opportunities, leadership development, and more. Students in the program are empowered to thrive academically, transfer to four-year colleges or universities, and enter the workforce.

Fennell serves as the program’s counselor and coordinator, while Jacquet is its educational advisor. Together, they work with students to create education plans and connect them with campus resources. The program also receives administrative support from Citrus College’s dean of counseling, the director of the student equity and achievement program, and the vice president of student services.

Cultural events and community-building activities are key elements of the Black Scholars program. Throughout the academic year, the program has hosted virtual and in-person game nights, Zoom background challenges and discussions on writings by Black authors. In addition, the biweekly, student-led Village Hour offers a safe space where Black students can gather to share their experiences.

As the Azusa area’s representative on the Citrus Community College District Board of Trustees, I am excited to watch the Citrus College Black Scholars program grow and evolve. As community colleges throughout the state continue to combat racial opportunity gaps, I am grateful for the work Fennell, Jacquet and the entire Citrus College Student Services Division have done to create an inclusive and equitable learning environment for our Black students.