News Summary
California State University, San Bernardino has appointed Brandon Gamble as the inaugural director of the Office of Black Student Success, effective July 2024. The office aims to enhance support services for Black students and promote community engagement. This initiative follows a report highlighting the need for improved Black student success initiatives within the CSU system. Gamble, with over 20 years of experience in higher education, plans to implement programs that address the unique needs of Black students and foster academic success.
San Bernardino, CA – Brandon Gamble has been appointed as the inaugural director of the Office of Black Student Success (OBSS) at California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB), effective July 2024. This new office’s primary goal is to enhance support services aimed at Black students while promoting mentoring and community engagement.
The creation of the OBSS comes on the heels of a comprehensive report published in the summer of 2023 by the Chancellor’s Strategic Workgroup, which underscored the necessity for improved Black student success initiatives within the California State University (CSU) system. Following a thorough inventory by the CSU of resources available across its 23 campuses, CSUSB established the OBSS to address notable gaps and foster improved educational outcomes for Black students.
Gamble arrives at CSUSB with over 20 years of experience in higher education, including significant roles such as faculty scholar and director at San Diego State University’s Black Resource Center, as well as serving as an associate professor at California State University, Long Beach. His background equips him to lead an office dedicated to the unique needs of Black students in the Inland Empire, a region known for having a substantial population of high-achieving Black students.
OBSS Objectives and Programs
The OBSS aims to implement various programs that are designed to support Black students academically and socially. Among the key initiatives are mentoring opportunities provided by both faculty and staff, alongside peer mentoring from upperclassmen. This is intended to create a robust support network that can help students navigate their college journeys more effectively.
In addition to these mentoring programs, the Office of Black Student Success will collaborate with existing campus initiatives, such as the Pan African Student Success Center and the Black Faculty and Staff Student Association. These partnerships are aimed at integrating current resources to create a more cohesive support system for Black students.
Long-term objectives of the OBSS include increasing student retention and graduation rates, which are critical indicators of institutional success. To foster a sense of community and connection, the OBSS has organized various outreach events. One such event includes a natural hair day in collaboration with the San Bernardino City Unified School District, designed to celebrate cultural identity and promote community engagement.
Another notable program initiated by the OBSS is a scholarship summit in partnership with Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc., aimed at informing students about available scholarship opportunities. Such initiatives not only provide vital information but also empower students to pursue educational funding actively.
Upcoming Initiatives
Planned future initiatives for the OBSS include the introduction of a course focused on Black experiences for entering CSUSB students. This course is designed to delve into Black identity development and the history of Black students at CSUSB, reinforcing the importance of understanding one’s background as it relates to academic success. Gamble emphasizes the value of fostering student understanding of their identity, especially for first-generation college students who might face additional challenges navigating college life without familial guidance.
Community Impact and Vision
Brandon Gamble views the establishment of the OBSS as a way to strengthen the community by fostering a successful CSUSB, which he believes can significantly benefit the surrounding areas in the Inland Empire. His emphasis is on connecting students with essential resources that ensure their academic success and well-being, creating a supportive environment where all students can thrive.
This initiative is part of the broader 2025 Black Voice News Series, titled “Black Leaders in Higher Education in the Inland Empire,” which aims to highlight the contributions and challenges faced by Black leaders across educational institutions in the region.
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Additional Resources
- Black Voice News: CSU San Bernardino Black Student Success
- Wikipedia: Black Students in Higher Education
- Precinct Reporter: Black History Month Events Around the I.E.
- Google Search: Black Student Success Initiatives
- San Bernardino Sun: New Black Serving Institution Designation
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Education
- Precinct Reporter: Storytelling Black Woman on Board
- Google News: African American Achievement Gap
