Black Student Success Services
Welcome and thank you for exploring Black Student Success (BSS) services and programs. Please let us know if we can help.
About us
Our purpose
To serve Black students at UBCO on their path to success by creating a network of support, providing Black-centered programming, and events that showcase Black/African ancestry at the UBC Okanagan campus.
Our vision
The Black Student Success (BSS) program aims to enhance and support students’ lives outside of the classroom by assisting in the development of responsive and intentional safe spaces and community for Black-identifying students both in-person and virtually. This is accomplished through creating a network of support, event and program facilitation, and providing education.
Our values
The BSS is guided by the ‘Ubuntu’ philosophy, which is a word that originates from the Southern African Xhosa language. It translates to mean “I am because you are.” It expresses compassion, reciprocity, dignity, harmony, and humanity toward building and maintaining a community with mindfulness and mutual caring. Our values encourage the effort for Black students, staff, and faculty to have unified partnership, empowerment, and success.
Meet the team
The Black Student Success team is dedicated to improving the university experience for UBCO’s black population and to bring this community closer together. We are working toward this mission through various social programs and awareness campaigns, as well as conversations with higher-ups in the university structure about the challenges faced by our community. Ultimately, we are here for you, in whatever capacity you need. We will be hosting weekly community programming every Tuesday from 6 to 8 pm in the Upper Level Collegium (UNC 335).
Eden
Hello! My name is Eden Ngatata and I am from Kenya. Currently, I am enrolled in the Bachelor of Arts program where I plan to pursue a major in Economics. A fun fact about me is that I am able to fall asleep anywhere in a matter of seconds, but as I am a night owl, I don’t get as much sleep as I would like since I do most of my work at night. In my free time, I enjoy nature walks, reading science fiction novels, and watching Armageddon movies. I’m thrilled to be a part of the Black Student Success program and I’m looking forward to assisting you in any way I can.
Enock
Hello! My name is Enock Mutabazi, I am Rwandan, and I am a second-year computer science student in the Faculty of Science. I have a passion for photography and all things related to videomaking. Being a people person, I naturally enjoy welcoming others and fostering a sense of community. I am excited to serve as one of your Black Student Success Coordinators and hope to organize various events that promote a strong sense of belonging and representation for everyone.
Contact us
Find us in University Centre (UNC) 329. We provide virtual and in-person services from 9 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday.
Email: bss.ubco@ubc.ca
