April is finally here! We have one full month left in the semester before we head into our finals week and commencement season! This month is for reunions, celebrations, and recaps of some of our most exciting moments with BASE!

One of our most memorable and historic events dedicated to origin, remembrance, and futurity. The grand re-opening of the BRC in UC 415 was an amazing event that honored faculty, staff, students, and alumni who were committed to the center! 

This year, the Marshall-Riley Living-Learning Community embarked on a 10-day trip of immersive learning to explore Black activism, history, heritage, and legacy throughout the Southeast United States! 

Whitney Plantation, New Orleans, Louisiana

Equal Justice Institute, Montgomery, Alabama

Emmitt Till Statue, Greenwood, Mississippi (the first and only statue)

The graduating class of Black Scholars would like to invite you to complete a survey to assess the impact of BASE.

Your participation will help them understand the value of inclusive practices for Black students' lives at USF and beyond. This survey should take 3-4 minutes.

Thursday, April 9 | 5:30–7 p.m. | BRC – UC 415

This series of Level Up will focus on your future with help from CAPS psychologist Jevon Rice and the support of your peers. Identify pathways, next steps, and ideas for your future beyond the Hilltop with strategists and testimonies.

This event is open to the entire USF community.

Join these student leaders to expand community, connection, experiences, and more! Check out all the BASE Circles this month. BASE Circles are open to all USF students.

Thursday, April 16 | 6:30–7:30 p.m. | EDU 040 

Get ready to trade your textbooks for some tempo! Join the incredible Ashton Greene for a high-energy session where you'll learn a fun, accessible routine designed for all skill levels. Absolutely no dance experience is necessary to participate, just bring your sneakers and a positive attitude!

Thursday, April 23 | 5–6 p.m. | Malloy 213 

Unleash your inner nail artist at our upcoming Nailed It: Gel-X for Beginners workshop hosted by Sanai Hawkins! We will supply all the necessary equipment, so you just need to bring yourself and a desire to learn how to create salon-quality gel nails at home. This hands-on session is perfect for novices looking to master the basics of the popular Gel-X system in a fun and supportive environment. Space is limited, so don’t miss this chance to level up your self-care routine and walk away with a fresh set of nails!

Wednesday, April 15 | 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m. | Welch Field & Gleeson Plaza 

Join BASE, GO Team, and New Student and Family Programs for 415 Day, a celebration of all things to do with USF and the San Francisco Bay Area. Join for fun in the sun with field day activities, making memories, reunions, and representation from various NPHC Greek-lettered organizations.

Make sure to get there early to get a free 415 shirt and expect snow cones, cotton candy, popcorn, and more!

This event is open to all USF students.

Friday, April 10 | Doors open at 6:45 p.m. | Studio Theater, Lone Mountain Main

Get ready to witness the incredible range of creativity within our community at the Black Entertainment Art and Talent (BEAT) Showcase. This vibrant event celebrates the diverse artistic expressions of our students, featuring everything from live performances to stunning visual displays. With a special performance from USF's own Shades of Brown, a DJ set, and more, you won't want to miss this event!

Saturday, April 18 | 10 a.m.–2 p.m. | Oak Woodlands Natural Area, Golden Gate Park

The Green Club will be walking a route through the eastern side of Golden Gate for SF Climate Week, stopping at a few locations along the way to embrace in the moment (and hopefully capture it!). We recommend folks arrive a little early to get settled, as we'll head out around 10:30 a.m. Make sure to bring water!

Nomination Deadline: April 12

Don't forget to submit your nominations for this year's awards and student speakers. Awards to nominate the graduating class are the following: 

Thursday, April 23 | 6–7:30 p.m. | Sobrato Club 

Join Black Alumni Society and BASE for a dynamic networking event designed to bring together Black students and Black alumni for meaningful conversations, mentorship, and career growth. This event offers a unique opportunity to connect with successful professionals who share similar experiences and backgrounds, do a bit of brainstorming on building your personalized networking strategy, and participate in some facilitated sessions to build your networking skill sets.

Whether you’re seeking career advice, internship opportunities, or want to broaden your network, through open dialogue, personal stories, and professional guidance, attendees will leave inspired, empowered, and equipped to navigate the first steps of their careers.

Friday, April 24 | 11:45 a.m.–12:40 p.m. PDT | UC 411 or Zoom 

Melanated Mental Matters is a drop-in space held monthly where students come to have an open and real talk about diverse topics affecting Black mental health and wellness. 

Led by Jevon Rice, Melanated Mental Matters is not group therapy, and you do not have to be a CAPS client to join.

No sign-up needed. Just drop in.

Off-campus students attending virtually, please complete this form, and you will be emailed telehealth options.

This series of events is open to the USF community.

Every Thursday, April 2 – May 7 | 3:15–4:30 p.m. | CAPS Group Room 

Grow & Glow is an empowering and healing space that brings together students with the unique experience of being a global majority woman — present, past, future, and expansively.

Global majority focuses on Black, Indigenous, Latine, Asian, mixed heritage, as well as other culturally expansive communities.

This series of events is open to the USF community.

The Municipal Fellows Program is designed for those seeking to be in local or county government. This two-month program is a comprehensive career development opportunity that allows fellows to gain critical insight into the city and county-level government and develop key skills necessary to thrive. Fellows will receive a $2,000 stipend.

They are seeking solution-driven, early-career professionals with a passion for making a difference in their community to join our program and learn first-hand the complexities and challenges of governing in the nation’s most populated state.

If you have any questions, please contact info@ulbayarea.org.

Program Dates: June 3 – Aug. 3

Application Deadline: May 21

Center for Academic and Student Achievement

The Center for Academic and Student Achievement is your home for compassionate academic and personal support that promotes holistic student development. Each USF undergraduate student is assigned to an academic success coach. You can find out who your coach is in your Student Hub under "My Success Team." You may make an appointment with your coach or visit any coach during their regular drop-in hours without an appointment.

The Learning, Speaking, and Writing Centers

USF offers academic assistance to all students through the Learning, Writing, and Speaking Centers. Services are available at no cost to USF students and include subject-specific tutoring, writing assistance, and communications-related support. The Learning Center also provides opportunities for academic skill development through one-on-one academic skills coaching, group workshops, and online resources. See courses supported by Peer Tutoring »

This month, we wanted to express gratitude to Ashley Alexis Stevens for her intentional care, dedication, and commitment to student-engaged learning and service toward our community!

Ashley has been amazing at extending her service for the advancement of USF's Black community for the past few years! From working as the resident minister for our Marshall Riley Living Learning Community to annually hosting our Black Joy Event to balancing all of that with law school preparation, Ashley truly embodies what it means to be a Black woman gracefully giving back to her community! On behalf of BASE, our Black student population, and USF overall, we thank you, Ashley, and we see you!

If you'd like to submit your event or content for an upcoming BASE newsletter, fill out our BASE Newsletter Intake Form. Submission deadlines apply.