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First Year College Student Success For Black And Other Students Of Color: A Village Initiative At The University Of Utah, Bryan Hotchkins, Nedra Hotchkins, Bianca Bellot, Laurence Parker

Journal of Curriculum, Teaching, Learning and Leadership in Education

Our paper highlights the “Village Block U” program at the University of Utah, which was intended to provide a set of academic and campus/community leadership experiences for Black and other students of color. Through interviews and first hand observations by founders of program, the instructor and teaching assistant, findings indicated that supportive racial culture enabled the students for first year success. But it remains to be seen if this program can help students overcome major life challenges they face ranging from lack of financial aid and need to work, to undocumented immigrant status, family responsibilities and academic challenges.