Oregon State participated in the Good in the Hood parade in Portland.
Oregon State is extending its footprint beyond Corvallis and into urban areas to increase access and academic success for black students.
Hosting events like the African American Youth Leadership conference and participating in the parade for Portland’s Good in the Hood celebration signal a willingness to connect with the African American community, says Allison Davis-White Eyes, director of community diversity relations at Oregon State.
“If you want to create opportunities for access and success, it involves communities, and it involves families,” Davis- White Eyes says.
More than 300 high school and middle school students visited campus in 2018 to attend the annual youth conference, and the event returns to Oregon State in 2020. Students hear from leaders who emphasize the value of education, empower leadership, establish a sense of community, increase self-esteem and affirm cultural awareness, as well as encourage personal goals.
“It is about motivating students and allowing them to see all of the potential they have,” Davis-White Eyes says.
To build credibility and be present in the black community, Oregon State participated in Good in the Hood in 2016 and 2018. Having a booth and participating in a parade gives prospective students and families a chance to learn about Oregon State.
“It’s really about igniting that energy and passion,” Davis-White Eyes says. “OSU is here for them.”