Bruce Smith, Ph. D. - Director
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Marcus Elliott, M. Ed. - Assistant Director
Bridgette Johnson, M. S. - Retention Coordinator
Alfreda Whaley - Administrative Assistant
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Ashley Griffin - Peer Mentor
My name is Ashley Griffin and I’m a sophomore, majoring in Human Development Family Studies, and I’m from Aurora, Colorado. I enjoy watching TV, reading good books, and relaxing. I decided to be a Peer Mentor because I have a passion to help young black students be successful in college. Being a mentor would allow me to do so. I love softball and I am a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated. My goals this year are to be the best mentor that I can and to make this year as successful as the first.
Ashley Waller - Peer Mentor
Hello! My name is Ashley Waller! I am a sophomore and I double major in Psychology and Sociology with a concentration in Criminal Justice. I am from Aurora, Colorado, where I attended Overland High School. I am Vice President of Urban Jewelz and Kingz Multicultural Hip Hop Dance Group. This is my first year as a peer mentor for the Black/African American Cultural Center. The reason I decided to become a peer mentor was because I wanted to be a vital resource to all of the incoming freshmen students. I have made it my mission to help these students transition smoothly into college life. My goal is to have a positive impact on as many people as I possibly can this year by offering my advice, support, experiences, and friendship to anyone who needs it.
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Austin Lowe - Coordinator, Albert C. Yates Leadership Development Institute (LDI)
My name is Austin Lowe. I was born in Denver, CO (raised in Park Hill) before relocating to Aurora. I am a business major with a double concentration in Marketing and Accounting. I also intend to pick up a minor in Spanish. My goals for the year are to improve my study skills and keep up with my work. Outside of school I like to draw, play sports, lift weights, and hang out with family and friends.
As for my office work, I work at the front desk and help out with things around the office. I'm also the student coordinator for the Albert C. Yates Leadership Development Institute, which is a program designed to enhance leadership experiences through programs. I decided to work in the office because of the relationship between Dr. Molock (former director of the office) and my mom. The office is giving me the opportunity to work with the black community and to meet new people. Something interesting about me is that I've traveled to Spain for an 8th grade class field trip.
Danielle McConnell - GRIOT Staff Reporter
My name is Danielle McConnell and I am a freshman at CSU this year. My major is English with a concentration in creative writing. I was born in Chicago, Illinois but have lived in Denver, Colorado for about fourteen years. My hobbies mainly include writing and just spending time with my friends, when I’m not studying for class of course. I am trying to get more involved in the Black/African American Cultural Center. Currently I assist at the front desk as well as work on the GRIOT, the office’s newsletter. I am also trying to be an active member with the campus organization Black Student Alliance.
I chose the position in the GRIOT because it focuses on what I want to accomplish later in my life, as far as my career is concerned. I wanted to work for an organization where my writing can be viewed by many, which is why I’m so excited about working for the newsletter. Something interesting about me is that I am a very outgoing and outspoken person who loves to make everyone smile. This year I hope to be more open and willing to do things outside of my comfort zone.
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Erika Green - GRIOT Assistant Editor
My name is Erika Green and I am a junior majoring in Technical Journalism and minoring in Ethnic Studies. I was born and raised in Colorado Springs. In the office I write for the GRIOT, the office newsletter. In addition to that I work at the front desk answering the phone and greeting passers-by. I chose this position in Black/African American Cultural Center because it is my ultimate goal to create a magazine for young women of color and I think that writing for the GRIOT will be a great start toward reaching that goal. This year, I hope to continue to maintain a balance between my school work and organizational activities. I'm looking forward to this year!
Jahala Walker - Peer Mentor
My name is Jahala Rose Walker. I’m a sophomore from Denver and I am a Life Science open option looking to major in Human Development and Family Studies. My hobbies include singing and dancing. In the office I am a peer mentor in the Rites of Passage Leadership program. I am also a member of Black Student Alliance (BSA). I wanted to work for the office so that I could help ease the freshmen class’s transition into college and to be a support system for them. I also wanted to get more involved in things this year and build my resume. Something interesting about me is that I am on the Urban Jewelz (UJK) dance team! U-U-J-K!!! My goals for this year are to bring up all my grades and to stay involved on campus!
Jasmyne Garrett - Peer Mentor
My name is Jasmyne Garrett and I’m from Denver, Colorado. I’m a sophomore majoring in Psychology. Some of my hobbies include dancing, working out, watching movies, crocheting, hanging with family and friends. In the Black/African American Cultural Center (BAACC) I am a Peer Mentor. I chose this position because I want to help the incoming freshman with their transition so they are willing to stay. I want them to have close relationships with our black community, so we can keep it growing and keep it strong. I love to help others. My goals for the year are to keep in close contact with all my mentees and stay on top of my grades and extra-curricular activities. I really want to get involved this year. Something interesting about me is that I have small ears.
Joseph Goings - GRIOT Editor
My name is Joe Goings and I’m from Chicago, IL. I’m a sophomore double majoring in both Social Work and Journalism. Some of my hobbies include playing football, hanging with friends, playing video games every now and then, and recently I’ve been trying to find the time to read more often. Something interesting about myself is that I wear Mardi Gras beads while on duty walks around the premises of my residence hall (in addition to being editor, I’m also a Resident Assistant). I just like to be goofy and have some fun while I’m doing my job.
In the office, I am the Editor-in-chief of the GRIOT. Being the editor affords me the opportunity to hone my skills as a reporter, interviewer, and as an editor. This position was the natural progression for me. Last year I was a reporter and towards the end of the year I began to get more responsibilities as the editor at the time (Angelica Riley) was preparing to move on with her career and try new things. Now I have the responsibility to make sure the GRIOT is a successful publication, a task that I embrace and enjoy. A goal of mine this year is to raise my GPA to beyond 3.5 (currently it’s 3.46). Classes are a bit more challenging this year but I’m confident that I can pull it off.
Kiarah Perkins - Peer Mentor
My name is Kiarah Perkins and I’m a sophomore from Aurora, Colorado. Some of my hobbies include sports, poetry, having fun, theater and plays, sleeping, dance, outdoor activities. In BSS I am a peer mentor. I chose to be a mentor because I want to help the incoming first-year students in succeeding. An interesting fact about me is that I love ketchup and would love to go sky diving! A goal of mine is to obtain a 3.8 GPA.
Mercedes Scott - Peer Mentor
My name is Mercedes Scott and I’m a sophomore. I am a business major with a concentration in accounting. Some of my hobbies include being around my friends and family. I also love writing poetry and generally just having fun.
In the office I work as a peer mentor. I chose to be a mentor because it was very hard for me to adapt to being a black person on a predominantly white campus. I also didn’t receive the help that I felt I needed when I was a freshman and decided to help those who were having problems so that they wouldn't have to struggle like I did. I wanted to have an impact on someone's life.
One of my goals for the year is to keep people excited about Black/African American Cultural Center and involved with the office. Every year we start off strong but by the end of the year we’re not as close as we can, and maybe should be. I hope to lend a helping hand in keeping that fire and excitement going throughout this year and those to come.
Rhesa Melvin - Peer Mentor
My name is Rhesa Melvin and I am from Denver, Colorado. I am a sophomore communication studies major with a business minor. I like to sing, act, write music and poetry, and I enjoy playing tennis. As for my work in the office, I’m a peer mentor. I want to be a positive force in someone’s life, to be there for them if they need me, provide support, and to be a positive role model. This year’s freshman class is our future, so we must invest in them. A couple of my goals are to be active in the community and school and continue to do well academically. An interesting fact about me is that I was born in and lived in Germany for 4 years.
Samara Payton - Peer Mentor
My name is Samara Payton and I am a sophomore speech communication major with a minor in business. I was born in Chicago but grew up in Aurora, Colorado for the past 8 or 9 years. I don’t find myself getting into too many hobbies lately because I am too busy with school. I do however enjoy going to parties. I also love music so I have my headphones on 24/7. I am affiliated with the Black/African American Cultural Center because I am a Peer Mentor, which I enjoy because of my excellent mentees. I wanted to work as a Peer Mentor because I wanted to give the incoming students someone to turn to as a guide and a friend. My goals for this year are to get good grades, to network more and to just have fun!
Shenavia Balcom - Peer Mentor
My name is Shenavia Balcom and I’m from Colorado Springs, Colorado. I’m a sophomore majoring in Biomedical Science. Something I really like doing is go running. In BSS I am a Peer Mentor. I chose to be a peer mentor because I wanted to be more involved with the office and it is a really good leadership opportunity. An interesting fact about me is that I'm a member of the marching band. My goal this year is to raise my GPA above a 3.2.
Twyla Rouse - Coordinator, Real Talk Series
My name is Twyla Rouse and I was born and raised in Denver, Colorado. This is my senior year and my major is nutritional sciences. My concentration is Nutrition and Health and my goal and overall mission is to become a D.O.C.T.O.R (an ob/gyn to be exact)! This is my second year working in the office and my duties are assisting the office faculty and coordinating the Real Talk series, which is where we discuss issues in the black community.
I like working in the office because it keeps me informed and involved on campus. My hobbies include music, shopping, and “choppin’ it up” (talking and having fun) with family and friends. My goals for the year are to help the freshmen and transfer students have a smooth and great transition into CSU, and to gain that Ram pride! Personally, my goals are to really understand science, learn as much as possible (because that’s what I’m in college for!) and knock out some good grades to improvement my GPA in preparation for medical school.