Graduates of BASE in full regalia gather in St Ignatius Church.
BLACK ACHIEVEMENT SUCCESS AND ENGAGEMENT

Our Impact

USF strives to improve an equitable sense of belonging, retention, and success for Black students through the BASE Initiative.

Fostering a Welcoming and Inclusive Campus

By uplifting and empowering Black students through extracurricular and educational programs that center on the varied experiences of the USF black community — we have increased the recruitment, retention, and matriculation of our Black students.

About BASE
Two students laugh and point at the camera on USF campus.
USF Ranks #1 for Ethnic Diversity

U.S. News & World Report rates USF among the top in the nation — and No. 1 for campus ethnic diversity.
USF's Rankings

Our Numbers Show the Difference

19.6%

increase in black identified students from 2019-21

$5,560,907

in tuition scholarships awarded to students in the Black Scholars Program

71.4%

graduation rates for of Black-identified students

$44,736

in funds distributed to Black-identified students facing economic hardship through the Tomasello-Millard Base Economic Hardship Fund

3.20

average cumulative GPA of first-year undergraduate Black students

Paul J. Fitzgerald and Julia Chinyere Oparah stand together on USF campus

Julia Chinyere Oparah and Paul J. Fitzgerald S.J.

The number of Black incoming first-time, first-year, and transfer undergraduates accounts for 14.67% of the USF's incoming class of 2026. These are the highest numbers we have had at USF.

Julia Chinyere Oparah and Paul J. Fitzgerald S.J.

Building Better Futures

BASE offers a variety of resources and services to ensure Black students thrive and succeed at USF and beyond.

Students walking outside

Full-Tuition Scholarships

Full-tuition scholarships are awarded to ten first-year students each year. These students are committed to serving marginalized communities and have exceptional academic, leadership, and service records.

Black Scholars Program
two students standing together in a dorm

Community Living

Students can join a living-learning community to deepen their understanding of Black history, politics, culture, and identity. Twenty freshman and ten sophomores spend the year living together and engaging with the Black Bay Area through community-engaged learning courses.

Marshall-Riley Living-Learning Community
Three students

Resources to Succeed

The Black Resource Center provides a space for students of African descent to connect with each other to receive mentorship and academic, spiritual, and emotional support services.

Black Resource Center
parents and graduating students celebrating commencement at usf
Anneteke Adoga
Students talk while eating.
More than 63 Black graduates participated in Vizuri Kabisa this past May, a recognition event that honors the academic and leadership achievements of graduating students who identify as Black, African, African American, and Multiracial.
Anneteke Adoga ’26, member of the Marshall-Riley Living Learning Community went on a 10-day trip to the South — as part of a yearly immersion trip offered by the program.
47 Black students participated in our Black Career Expo with Bay Area companies including PG&E, Salesforce, First American Title Insurance, and more.

Thank You for Your Commitment to BASE

Your support provides transformative learning experiences to Black students. The future of BASE is bright, and together we all have an opportunity to uplift more students.

Give to BASE