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"There was also so much, love, kindness, silliness, and the right amount of seriousness between everyone. I enjoyed being in the presence of everyone and being a part of making a difference in Washington D.C. If given the chance, I would do it again without a second thought."
The Black Student Success Initiative celebrates and supports student success by aligning with the CSU Graduation Initiative 2025 to enhance retention through impactful learning experiences. Through the Study-Away program, students explore cultural hubs across the nation, gain exposure to diverse environments, and visit graduate programs at Historically Black Colleges and Universities. The program also instills a spirit of service, as students volunteer to give back to each community they visit.
On the inaugural trip, 28 students traveled to Washington, D.C., visiting the National Museum of African American History and Culture, Howard University, DC Central Kitchen, and historical sites like the Frederick Douglass House, Martin Luther King Monument, African American Civil War Memorial, and other historical Smithsonian attractions. These immersive experiences brought history to life and deepened students' understanding of African American heritage, expanding their worldview and fostering community.
Study-Away broadens students’ perspectives, creating lasting impact by exposing them to new possibilities. For many, it’s their first experience traveling out of state or flying, enriching their educational journey and preparing them to be future leaders and engaged citizens. Study-Away makes an impact and we hope to continue to offer these experiences that encourage our students to expand their perspective and be open to the possibilities the world offers.
Hear from more of our students who attended the inaugural Study-Away trip:
"Going on the study away trip to experience the black/African-American experience was such an invigorating, gratifying, and overall proud moment for me as a black student at Fresno State. I felt a sense of community throughout the whole trip and got to know my peers as well. This trip should be renewed every academic year because of the number of resources, and connections for my future."
"Service is very important to me. I believe serving my community is one of the most rewarding things to me next to earning a paycheck. But I think that being able to volunteer to help in your community whether it's by being a mentor or volunteering as a food prep for a food bank should be more common. I had a great time volunteering in the DC Central kitchen, it took me back to the long days of prepping food for my own family during holidays. My key takeaway is to give back to your community in any way possible, if you have some free time, you can donate some of that to your community."
