The Importance of Black Student Services
An affinity group on campus provides students with a space to be unapologetically themselves.
Students need a safe space where they can be unapologetically themselves, where they can express themselves freely and authentically. The University of the Pacific has the Center of Identity and Inclusion, where students from different affinity groups can have these safe spaces. One of these affinity groups is Black Student Services (BSS), with Traveon Jefferson as its program specialist. Traveon has a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice, two master's degrees, one in Educational Leadership and the other in Public Administration with an emphasis in Nonprofit Management, and he is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Education. He is also a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Traveon has 15 years of experience in working with underrepresented youth in various education capacities, K-12 public schools, higher education, and education nonprofit organizations focusing on mentoring students for maximum success in their future. He is also the co-founder of the nonprofit Survive and Thrive Education.
I spoke with Traveon about his goal as the program specialist for BSS, and he has a lot of dedication towards the success of Black students. His main goal is fostering a sense of community among the Black student body. He believes the foundation of building the community is to build high-trust relationships. Building high-trust relationships is essential in professional and personal growth that can lead to making connections and networking. It can encourage students to collaborate and increase their productivity leading to mutual respect and loyalty. Building community and high-trust relationships is a continuous endeavor that BSS strives for.
The BSS Lounge, located in McCaffrey, provides a safe space where Black students are able to relinquish the pressures of being a Black student and person in society. Traveon believes that the lounge gives students emotional safety, support, and a safe space to express themselves and for their voices to be heard. As a student who is a part of BSS I can undoubtedly say that having the center is very important for student life on campus. Being in BSS allows me to connect with other students that go through the same struggles as I do. The lounge gives me a space where I can be myself and discuss issues that may not be understood somewhere else. I have made many friends through BSS and learned a lot from Traveon and the previous program specialist, Kathy English. I have a safe space to let my hair down and be myself without judgment, and where I am allowed to make mistakes without retribution. This space gives other students the opportunity to feel the same way and make connections. The BSS Lounge is not just a room where you can have a quiet place to do work, but a place where you can be unapologetically yourself and be around others that are going through similar struggles as students, staff, and alumni who were once in your shoes.