OXNARD, Calif. — Super Sunday became a day to build community, network and remind families that higher education doesn't have to be out of reach.
“There are young African-American men and women who don't think about how they're going to pay for college when their families are living paycheck to paycheck. That's just not fashionable. It’s impossible, but it can be done,” said Vincent Stewart, president of the Community Advocacy Coalition.
Super Sunday began in 2005 as a university-wide initiative in which campus faculty visited Black churches across the state to encourage young people to attend college.
Its original purpose was to not only facilitate black students' access to higher education, but also ensure their success after graduation.
“We have historically underserved students of color, which means we have seen achievement gaps, graduation rates, and retention rates. We are doing the necessary work to close the gender gap and ensure equitable outcomes not only during your time at CSU but also after you graduate,” said CSU Channel Islands Chancellor Richard Yao.
Sunday's event helped prospective students learn about how to navigate the college admissions and financial aid process.
It also helped foster a sense of belonging and connection to the California State University Channel Islands campus community.
“When you look at people who are older than you and who look like they've done this and gone to college, you know they can do it. So it's certainly important that they understand that. is important,” said Aiyana Brown and Dejanae Brown, twin sisters and college graduates who live in Oxnard.
California State University Channel Islands' commitment to Black inclusion and engagement extends beyond Super Sunday.
The university recently opened the Black Cultural Center, which provides staff space to support the academic excellence of Black students on campus.
