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Housed in the Center for Black Culture, the Academic STARS program is designed specially for newly enrolled African American freshmen. The STARS program, which stands for Students Achieving and Reaching Success, helps these students develop an academic foundation on which they can build during their years in college and beyond.

To be eligible for this program, you must be an incoming African American student who has at least a 2.75 GPA and can show involvement in extracurricular activities or service-related projects. You will be asked to write an essay and complete an application.

Want to live in a residence hall community that was created to provide students of color a space for connection and support? The Quad Living-Learning Community (LLC) is a community housed in the Evansdale Residential Complex (Towers) where students of color will live with and alongside other students of color.

This LLC focuses on the four areas of student development that are priorities at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) as well as Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs): cultural connections, engagement, 91¶ÌÊÓƵ and service. While living in the community, students are provided an environment where they can grow and flourish.

To live in The Quad, interested students must complete an application and pay their housing deposit, like normal. If chosen for this community, students will be automatically placed into a room in The Quad. If you are interested in living in The Quad for the upcoming school year, monitor for updates on the application timeline and process.

The Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion seeks to provide University-wide education, support, accountability and leadership on issues relating to diversity on campus and in our community. The Division engages in advocacy, policy development, consultation and evaluation to create a more inclusive campus community.

This affinity group meets biweekly, bringing together Honors students of color to connect with and support each other, and to talk with guests from the WVU and Morgantown communities who can help them succeed at WVU.

The Office of Student Engagement and Leadership is dedicated to enhancing student involvement and leadership development of students. Student Involvement works to create an inclusive and vibrant community that serves as an outlet for every student to get connected to all potential involvement and engagement opportunities. Leadership Development, as a unit within Student Engagement and Leadership, provides students with leadership development opportunities through individual programs, retreats and experiential learning.

The Office of Student Legal Services is available to educate students about their legal rights, responsibilities and obligations. They provide services to all students with legal issues.

Student Support Service (SSS) programs are designed to serve undergraduate college students who meet specific program requirements. To be eligible for admission to WVU’s SSS program, students must meet at least one of the following criteria: low-income, first generation or students with disabilities. Each year, SSS serves 200 students – from first-year students to seniors – by providing them with academic, social and cultural support.

The Office of Student Accommodations (OSA) is dedicated to enhancing the educational opportunities for students with temporary and permanent disabilities at WVU. To ensure access to University programs, accessibility specialists work individually with students to help them achieve academic success.

The Student Government Association is responsible for representing the needs and concerns of all Mountaineers. Student Government has been responsible for many major projects and initiatives at WVU. The organization is housed in the Division of Student Life via Student Engagement and Leadership.

Each year, the Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion seeks responsible and model WVU students who understand, embrace, respect and value diversity, ethnic cultures and new ways of thinking and connecting with current and potential WVU students. Ambassadors serve as an extension of the Division. They help to represent the Division and spread its mission and services among their peers. Participating students will be able to assist in the creation, planning and implementation of Diversity Week, create their own diversity- and inclusion-themed events and train fellow students on a variety of diversity topics and issues.

We are continually working to ensure our students, faculty and staff of color are supported – physically, emotionally and mentally. The Carruth Center is available to provide you with a place to talk about your concerns, frustrations, anxieties, angers and more as a Black person in America. Your experiences matter, and you do not need to process them alone.

You can also use other free mental health resources when needed:

• – Text WVU to 741741 to talk with a trained crisis counselor 24/7 from anywhere in the world. It’s free!
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – If you are thinking about suicide or are worried about someone who is, call 1-800-273-TALK for free, 24/7 support.