Center for African-American Students’ Programs supports students academically

African-American students at Marshall University have many resources available to them in a central location on campus.

The Center for African-American Students' Programs provides African-American students with an environment to nurture their growth through many services, including mentoring, crisis management and assistance in planning their academic and career paths.

"Our purpose is to provide services for all black students and to construct programs to help students develop successfully, both academically and in life," said Maurice Cooley, director of the center.

The center holds close ties with many organizations and university offices, including the National Pan-Hellenic Council Fraternities and Sororities, Student Affairs and Student Resource Center.

The office provides many programs for students throughout the year including various plays and musical performances, the annual Soul Food Feast, National Women of Color Day, the Outstanding Black High School Student Weekend, many lectures, academic events and the Annual Donning of the Kente celebration. The ceremony takes place in May, and African-American students who are about to graduate are presented with a kente cloth, a symbol of maturation and their African heritage.

"If a student comes in and I am unable to help them, I will direct them to someone who can and make sure that they get the assistance they require." Cooley said.

The office also houses The Society of Black Scholars, an honors organization for academically–advanced African–American students.

New applications for membership are considered once each semester.  To be considered, applicants must submit an application which can be picked up in the Center for African-American Students in the Memorial Student Center Room 1W25.member of the Marshall faculty. They also must have a minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA and be registered for at least 12 credit hours.

To maintain membership members must keep the the minimum academic requirements, as well as completing volunteer work and attending 70 percent of events and lectures orchestrated by the The society was founded in 2003 by Cooley.

It began with 22 students and has expanded to more than 60.

Travis Easter can be contacted at easter14@marshall.edu.

The applicant must also submit at least one letter