Henrietta Goodwin Scholars Program
Henrietta Goodwin was the first African American student to graduate from San Diego State University in 1913. While she is not mentioned on listed in the roster of graduates, both an attendance ledger and her registration record card indicate that she did graduate on January 30, 1913, having attended the school sporadically since 1908. In her spirit, we continue the long tradition of Black Excellence.
Mission
The Henrietta Goodwin Scholars program seeks to support African American/Black student success through academic programming design and to facilitate their transition in, through, and out of San Diego State University. As a university-wide program, the Henrietta Goodwin Scholars program brings together a network of services including the Black Resource Center, Office of Diversity & Inclusion, Africana Studies Department, Student Academic Services, Admissions, Financial Aid & Scholarships, Writing Center, participating academic colleges and other campus collaborators.
Purpose
Through the program, students will learn about career paths and professional fields and enhance their personal and professional networks. At the same time, the program aims to provide mentors with a venue for staying engaged with the San Diego State University Community.
- Connecting new students to the SDSU Community
- Pairing Academic Success with Mentoring Support
- Professional and Personal Development and Culturally-Relevant Activities
Students typically meet on campus once a week to participate in a University Seminar: Henrietta Goodwin/Harambee Seminar Course (GEN S-100B) The purpose of the seminar course is to provide opportunities to interact with faculty and staff. Students acquire study and interpersonal skills for academic and personal success and to create a positive experience for students. Through the seminar course, students will learn about career paths, health & well-being, Black culture, on-campus services and resources, leadership and research opportunities, and enhance their personal and professional networks.
Objectives
- To enrich the educational, social, and cultural experiences of African American Students by providing exposure to all facets of Aztec Life.
- To support and encourage the continued growth and success of African American Students, including providing exposure to graduate studies and career exploration.
- To provide leadership and mentoring experiences to San Diego State students in an effort to develop well-rounded Aztec Scholars.
- To prepare African American students for a diverse workforce by providing high-impact programs, collaborative learning environments.
- To increase the retention of African American students on campus.
Academic Support
- Support from Black faculty, staff, and academic coaches/ peer mentors
- Peer mentorship support from an Academic Coach (weekly)
- Access to Supplemental Instructors who support first-year students in courses with traditionally high fail rates
- Access to free tutoring services through the Black Resource Center
Community Engagement
- Community development through social and cultural activities
- Integration into the Black Resource Center programs and events
Personal & Professional Development
Access to research opportunities and culturally-responsive leadership development. Learn about study abroad options, academic conferences, internships, and career opportunities
- Culturally-Responsive Leadership Development, Workshops, and Seminars
- Academic Support and Research Opportunities
- Access to Supplemental Instructors who support first-year students in courses with traditionally high fail rates
- Access to free tutoring services through the Black Resource Center
- Engaging Faculty and Administrative Mentors
- Access to research opportunities and culturally-responsive leadership development
- Learn about study abroad options, academic conferences, internships, and career opportunities
- Community Development through Social and Cultural Activities
- Courses focused on enhancing writing, reading, academic success, and professional development.
Director
Dr. Tonika Duren Green, Charles Bell Scholar
Graduate Assistants
Tyler Garrett
Donnae Prather
Academic Coaches
Cai Ford
Cierra Watkins
Joy Moore
Kiara Prak Perry
Morgan Johnson
Remica (Remy) Germeille
Kailani (KK) Smith
Mabel Morris Dugbartey
Natalie King-Shaw
Shawki Moore
Course Sequence:
Henrietta Goodwin Scholars have the unique opportunity to participate in courses that are designed to provide an academic learning environment where students feel safe, valued, supported, and successful. During the first year of the program, scholars will be enrolled in the following courses:
- Fall Semester, Year 1: Africana Studies 120 - Composition (3 Units, GE). Designed to develop and enhance composition and reading skills. Focus on writing skills that contribute to academic growth and development.
- Fall Semester, Year 1: General Studies S-100B – University Seminar (1 Unit). Provides opportunities to interact with faculty and staff in a small group setting. Students acquire study and interpersonal skills for academic and personal success. Special sessions are offered featuring campus resources including library, advising, career, health and wellness services. Embedded within the course will be an extensive overview of Black history at SDSU. This will include readings and activities based on the book, The Black in the Crimson and Black by Professor Emeritus Robert Fikes. This course meets for 50 mins each week (typically on Fridays).
- Spring Semester, Year 1: Africana Studies 200 – Intermediate Expository Writing and Research Fundamentals (3 Units, GE). Development of intermediate expository writing skills and application of practical research principles.
- Spring Semester, Year 1: General Studies 200 – University Seminar (1 Unit). Provides opportunities to interact with faculty and staff. Students acquire study and interpersonal skills for academic and personal success. Special sessions are offered featuring campus resources including library, advising, career, health and wellness services.
All courses will satisfy degree requirements for graduation. In addition to the coursework, students will be provided with extensive academic support services. These supports will include the following:
- Goodwin Scholars Welcome Day. African American students will be welcomed to the program on Sunday, the day before the first day of class. The welcome will include introducing students to African American faculty and staff, Black student clubs and organizations, the Black Resource Center, and African American alumni.
- Supplemental Instruction. Supplemental instructors (SI) will provide tutoring for African American students at the Black Resource Center. SI’s will provide academic support for Goodwin Scholars courses and courses that have been identified as having both high enrollment of African American students and large equity-gaps between African Americans and their White peers (Appendix A). Students will be required to participate in three-hours of study per week at the Black Resource Center during Black Study Hours. During this time, the BRC will provide snacks and free tutoring services for students. Course instructors for Goodwin Scholars FYE and SYE courses will attend these sessions periodically.
- Academic Workshops. Students will be required to participate in educational workshops on topics related to their success in college. These workshops will be built into both the program requirements and the course requirements for GEN 100. Workshops will include topics such as: study skills, time management, navigating racial barriers, building relationships with faculty, and how to participate in high impact programs.
- Case Management. Students will receive support using a case management approach that identifies their needs and connects them to necessary academic support services and opportunities. Students use of resources tailored to their needs is a requirement for on-going participation in the program.
- Harambee Weekend. Students will be required to participate in Harambee weekend yield activities to help to recruit the next generation of African American scholars. While the program will be renamed Goodwin Scholars, the yield event will still retain the name “Harambee.” Click here to learn more.
