About Us

The African-American Resource and Cultural Center Develops and fosters co-curricular initiatives that promote academic success, leadership and student development. Since the center's inception in 1991, the AARCC's primary mission has been to serve as a key resource to acclimate students to campus life and academic culture. By providing advocacy and support, the center helps enhance student's academic progress and achievement of their educational goals. The AARCC works closely with campus outreach efforts to increase the enrollment of African-American students at UCSC.

Our mission is to provide student support services and programs helping to promote student development and academic excellence. AARCC Staff carries out this mission, under the general direction of the Director, through the following sections: Administration, Outreach, Event Planning, and Participation of Student Organization Events.

We provide a wide-range of support and programs for African American and other students here at UCSC. This office encourages healthy student participation in campus life, student organizations, academic excellence and community service. The staff provides multicultural training, conflict resolution, informal counseling, advising, and advocacy on behalf of individual students as it pertains to overall student development issues.

AARCC's services consist of:

• STOCC Orientation/Workshops
• Educational & Cultural programming
• Students Achievement & Recognition Program
• Student Internship & Mentorship Programs
• Martin Luther King Convocation
• Student Recognition/Retention Projects
• Quarterly Newsletter
• Student Retreats
• Academic Advising & Referrals
• On-line Bulletin Board & Web site
• Resources Library & Archives
• Community Outreach/Community Service
• Scholarship Funds

As AARCC continues to evolve, our hope is that these services will foster a sense of inclusion for African American students and develop sensitivity to diversity for all students. This office endeavors to generate a model of student life applicable to all students. However, due to low numbers and decreasing rates of retention, African American students have become a priority as UCSC seeks to increase their enrollment and matriculation on this campus. We encourage students to take advantage of the outstanding resources of this premier institution.