AACRC's
Transitions
Program

The experience that I participated in this year was the AACRC’s Transitions program. “Transitions is a program designed to enhance the first-year experience for incoming Black students by providing leadership training, workshops, peer mentoring, and other social and academic activities to ensure that all participants are prepared for college and beyond.”I have attended predominantly white institutions (PWIs) for most of my life. So when it came time to pick a college, I had my heart set on attending an HBCU to have a different experience. But I obviously ended up going to UC, which is a PWI. While I am not new to PWIs, going to them can still be intimidating, especially since I didn’t know any other black students at UC. Participating in Transitions allowed me to feel more comfortable at UC. I met different black students with whom I connected and formed relationships through bonding experiences, like when we had to come to campus a few days before the fall semester began. Since the AACRC runs Transitions, I was introduced to all of the resources on campus for black students. I spent a lot of time at the AACRC, whether for Transitions mandatory weekly meetings, doing homework, meeting up with friends, or club events. It was fun and beneficial hanging around like-minded people and people with which you have something in common. Being a part of Transitions helped me “transition” into the black community at UC. I now participate in and attend multiple black-led events on campus, like Akwaaba and Kuamka, and am in the Dr. P Eric Abercrumbie Living-Learning Community (ALLC). Being in Transitions allowed me to feel welcome and at home on UC’s campus, and I am thrilled that I chose to participate in it.