Events – Black Student Success Centre https://blackstudentsuccess.mcmaster.ca Guided by Ubuntu. “I am because you Are." Wed, 01 Apr 2026 18:33:04 +0000 en-CA hourly 1 Gear Up for Mac: Head Start for University https://blackstudentsuccess.mcmaster.ca/gear-up-for-mac-head-start-for-university/ Tue, 10 Feb 2026 16:30:20 +0000 https://blackstudentsuccess.mcmaster.ca/?p=4915 A Powerful Week-long Campus Experience
  • Attend sample lectures
  • Conduct hands-on labs and experiments
  • Connect with professors, Black student leaders and mentors
  • Explore McMaster’s campus, residence and student life
  • Build new friendships
  • Discover pathways in STEM, business, health, social sciences, humanities and the arts
  • Semesterly reunions for four–five years, depending on your program

GU4Mac empowers incoming first-year students to see themselves as future Marauders and a cohort who can lean on each other throughout their academic journeys at McMaster.

Follow @MacBSSC on Instagram

macbssc

#McMasterU BSSC champions the holistic success & overall well-being of all Black-identifying students.
Find us online and in our home at PGCLL M05.
]]> Day in the Life at McMaster: High School Experience https://blackstudentsuccess.mcmaster.ca/day-in-the-life-at-mcmaster-high-school-experience/ Tue, 10 Feb 2026 16:22:56 +0000 https://blackstudentsuccess.mcmaster.ca/?p=4913 Join a Day in the Life at McMaster

The Day in the Life experience invites Black high school students to spend a full day on campus exploring what life as a McMaster student truly feels like. Participants attend sample lectures, tour academic spaces, visit the Black Student Success Centre, meet current Black students and faculty, and learn how to navigate university life.

This immersive visit helps students envision themselves in university, ask questions about programs and pathways, and build early connections with McMaster’s vibrant Black student community. For many students, this experience becomes the moment they realize: “I can see myself here.”

Follow @MacBSSC on Instagram

macbssc

#McMasterU BSSC champions the holistic success & overall well-being of all Black-identifying students.
Find us online and in our home at PGCLL M05.
]]> NextGen: Black High School Leadership Summit https://blackstudentsuccess.mcmaster.ca/nextgen-black-high-school-leadership-summit/ Tue, 10 Feb 2026 16:04:33 +0000 https://blackstudentsuccess.mcmaster.ca/?p=4909 Welcome to McMaster

The NextGen Summit is the BSSC’s signature leadership development experience for Black high school students in Grades 11 and 12. Designed and delivered by Black staff and faculty at McMaster — and supported through community and industry partners — this annual conference prepares emerging Black leaders with the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to thrive in their transition to university and beyond.

Purpose and Vision

NextGen was created to:

  • Equip Black youth with early exposure to university-level skills and expectations
  • Build confidence in academic decision-making
  • Offer culturally grounded leadership development
  • Connect students with Black faculty, mentors and undergraduate role models
  • Strengthen the pipeline of Black students entering higher education

The conference is intentionally community-rooted, reflecting the BSSC’s belief that Black students succeed best when supported by a village of affirming educators, peers and professionals.

What Students Experience

NextGen is a dynamic, interactive leadership day designed to inspire, educate and empower. Students participate in workshops and activities such as:

Leadership Development Sessions

Reflective and skill-building workshops led by Black McMaster faculty, staff and alumni covering topics like:

  • Identity, leadership and confidence
  • Goal setting
  • Communication and teamwork
  • Academic readiness
  • Navigating barriers and building resilience
  • The transition from high school to university

Who It’s For

  • Black-identifying high school students in Grades 11 and 12
  • Educators, parents and community partners supporting Black youth
  • Students who want to strengthen leadership skills, prepare for university, and connect with a supportive cultural community

Follow @MacBSSC on Instagram

macbssc

#McMasterU BSSC champions the holistic success & overall well-being of all Black-identifying students.
Find us online and in our home at PGCLL M05.
]]> Black Student Mentorship Program https://blackstudentsuccess.mcmaster.ca/black-student-mentorship-program/ Thu, 05 Feb 2026 20:12:33 +0000 https://blackstudentsuccess.mcmaster.ca/?p=4903 In Partnership with the African Caribbean Faculty Association of McMaster (ACFAM), our four-tier mentorship model helps you navigate each stage of university life:

  • Tier 1: Black faculty mentor graduate students
  • Tier 2: Graduate students mentor upper-year undergraduates
  • Tier 3: Upper-year students mentor first-years
  • Tier 4: First-year and high school students receive foundational mentoring

The BSMP provides guidance on academics, identity, career planning and navigating the unique experiences of Black students at McMaster.

A group of young people sit at a table in a bright room, engaged and smiling. One person stands, showing something on a phone to the others. Friendly atmosphere.

‘Building community:’ How the Black Student Mentorship Program is making a difference at McMaster

The Black Student Mentorship Program (BSMP) was launched in 2020 to create community among Black students and faculty at McMaster.

‘Building community:’ How the Black Student Mentorship Program is making a difference at McMasterRead More on McMaster News

Follow @MacBSSC on Instagram

macbssc

#McMasterU BSSC champions the holistic success & overall well-being of all Black-identifying students.
Find us online and in our home at PGCLL M05.
]]> Black Excellence Graduate Celebration https://blackstudentsuccess.mcmaster.ca/black-excellence-graduate-celebration/ Thu, 05 Feb 2026 19:49:32 +0000 https://blackstudentsuccess.mcmaster.ca/?p=4896 Black Excellence Graduate Celebration | Honouring the Class of 2026

The Black Student Success Centre (BSSC) warmly invites you to a powerful afternoon of celebration, community, and culture at the 5th Annual Black Excellence Graduate Celebration. Join us as we honour the outstanding achievements of our Black graduating students.

Event details

  • Date: Tuesday, May 19, 2026
  • Time: 2:30 PM (Ceremony begins) | Graduates, please arrive by 1:00 PM
  • Venue: L.R. Wilson Concert Hall, McMaster University
  • Refreshments: African and Caribbean-inspired fusion by Afrolicious
  • Registration: Via convocation RSVP form in Tassel | Opens week of March 30 | Deadline: April 28, 2026

Theme

“Aya – Rooted in Community, Rising in Excellence”

In Adinkra tradition, Aya is the fern — a symbol of endurance, resourcefulness, and independence. For this year’s celebration, it speaks to the BSSC as home and roots, and to our graduates as the ones rising. This event is more than a ceremony; it is a gathering of community, culture, and collective achievement.

Event purpose

Black Graduation Ceremonies are profound acknowledgments of the unique experiences Black students face in higher education. They serve as intimate gatherings where graduates can celebrate their achievements in an environment rich with cultural significance and mutual support. These ceremonies provide a platform for graduates to honour those who’ve supported them and to express their individuality beyond the traditional commencement.

By attending, you’re not only celebrating academic success but also embracing a tradition that reinforces community bonds and cultural pride. This celebration creates a meaningful space where graduates can fully express their identities and acknowledge their journey with those who understand its significance.

Special Gift for Graduates: A Kente Stole

As part of our tradition, the first 100 graduating students to register will receive a beautiful Kente Stole, symbolizing academic achievement and cultural pride, as our gift to you. Secure yours by registering early.

Registration Information

Registration takes place via the convocation RSVP form in Tassel, which is sent by the Office of the Registrar. The form is expected to open the week of March 30. Deadline to register: April 28, 2026.

Registration for this year will take place only through the form in Tassel.

Frequently Asked Questions

Tickets for the Black Excellence Graduate Celebration are complimentary for all attendees.

Each graduand may bring up to two guests into the main concert hall.

We know celebration within the Black community is deeply communal, and many of our students hope to celebrate with a larger circle of family, loved ones, and supporters. We honour that. At the same time, because seating in the main hall is limited, we can only guarantee main-hall seating for each graduand and two guests.

Additional guests are still welcome to attend and celebrate with us in our overflow viewing and designated guest spaces, where they can share in this important moment.

Our goal is to create a celebration that is joyful, organized, and worthy of our graduates, while making space for as many loved ones as possible. We appreciate your understanding as we work to honour both the significance of this occasion and the realities of the venue.

The celebration is open to all Black-identifying students graduating in the Class of 2026, across all academic levels (Undergraduate, Master’s, PhD, and Professional degrees). Students graduating in Fall 2026 are also welcome to participate.

We encourage attendees to wear formal or traditional attire that reflects their personal or cultural heritage. Graduates will not be wearing robes — this is your moment to show off your outfit, represent your identity, and celebrate your achievements in a way that is uniquely you. You will still have the opportunity to wear formal academic regalia at your official convocation ceremony.

No. The Black Excellence Graduation Celebration is a unique event, separate from McMaster University’s official convocation ceremonies. While convocation is the formal conferral of degrees, this celebration is a special opportunity to honour the achievements, resilience, and contributions of Black graduates in our community, reflecting our shared culture and joy.

We encourage all graduating students to attend their official convocation ceremony, where you are welcome to proudly wear your Kente stole as a symbol of your accomplishment and heritage.

Yes, accessible seating arrangements will be provided. If you require any accommodations or have specific accessibility needs, please contact us at bss@mcmaster.ca so we can ensure your participation is comfortable.

Yes, students who are scheduled to graduate in October 2026 are welcome to participate in this celebration. We recognize and honour all graduates from the Class of 2026.

We understand that some graduates may be unable to attend the celebration but still wish to receive a Kente stole. Please contact us at bss@mcmaster.ca to discuss arrangements for obtaining your stole.

For any further inquiries or clarifications, please email bss@mcmaster.ca. Our team will be happy to assist you.

Follow @MacBSSC on Instagram

macbssc

#McMasterU BSSC champions the holistic success & overall well-being of all Black-identifying students.
Find us online and in our home at PGCLL M05.
]]> Elevate and Empower | Black History Month https://blackstudentsuccess.mcmaster.ca/elevate-and-empower-black-history-month/ Thu, 05 Feb 2026 19:43:35 +0000 https://blackstudentsuccess.mcmaster.ca/?p=4892 Elevate and Empower

Elevate and Empower is a partnership between the BSSC, the Black Student Association and McMaster’s Alumni Association. These events connect students with Black professionals, alumni and community leaders through panels, workshops and networking spaces.

Topics Often Include

  • Career exploration and navigation
  • Graduate and professional school pathways
  • Leadership and self-advocacy
  • Entrepreneurship and innovation
  • Identity in professional spaces

Follow @MacBSSC on Instagram

macbssc

#McMasterU BSSC champions the holistic success & overall well-being of all Black-identifying students.
Find us online and in our home at PGCLL M05.
]]> Black Student Welcome https://blackstudentsuccess.mcmaster.ca/black-student-welcome/ Thu, 05 Feb 2026 19:20:18 +0000 https://blackstudentsuccess.mcmaster.ca/?p=4846 Welcome to McMaster

The Black Student Welcome is one of the first major gathering points for incoming first-year Black students at McMaster. Held annually in September, this event brings together new students, upper-year peers, mentors, staff and campus partners in an affirming space that celebrates community, connection, and collective empowerment — setting the tone for the year ahead. 

This event is open to all incoming Black-identifying first-year students at McMaster, across undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs. 

What to expect

  • Community connection and celebration 
  • Introductions to mentors, student leaders and staff 
  • Information about BSSC programs and supports 
  • University transition tips and on/off-campus resources 
  • A warm welcome into the BSSC community

Registration

Registration coming soon! Please note: This event is for Black-identifying individuals. A McMaster email will be required to register.

Follow @MacBSSC on Instagram

macbssc

#McMasterU BSSC champions the holistic success & overall well-being of all Black-identifying students.
Find us online and in our home at PGCLL M05.
]]> May at Mac | Black Applicant Meet and Greet https://blackstudentsuccess.mcmaster.ca/may-at-mac/ Thu, 17 Apr 2025 19:10:45 +0000 https://blackstudentsuccess.mcmaster.ca/?p=3597 Registration Deadline: Friday, May 1, 2026, at 11:59 PM

Event Overview 

The Black Student Success Centre welcomes prospective Black students and their families to our signature Black Applicant Meet & Greet during McMaster’s annual May @ Mac Spring Open House. This premier event connects future Black-identifying students with McMaster’s vibrant Black community of faculty, staff, and current students. We understand how important it is to feel at home as you consider your next steps. To share a personal welcome, here’s a message from a current BSSC student:

The Black Student Success Center means a lot to me. It means reassurance, it means a shoulder to cry on, it means a sense of identity and inclusion, it means unity, above all, above all it means home. I am always filled with joy when I visit the BSSC. Not only are their staff caring and understanding, their entire lounge feels like home.
— First Year, Faculty of Science Student

Connect with McMaster’s Black community and learn about student life, support, and resources.

Whether you’ve received an offer, are considering applying, or are exploring what McMaster offers Black students, this event provides an authentic preview of the Black student experience at Mac and the resources available to support your success.

Event Purpose 

The Black Applicant Meet & Greet creates a welcoming space for Black students and their support networks to explore McMaster University with a focus on community, connection, and celebration. We provide prospective students with genuine connections, honest insights, and comprehensive information about the resources and support systems available to them as they make their university decision. This event reflects our commitment to fostering Black excellence and creating an inclusive environment where Black students feel supported, connected, and empowered to thrive.

Event Highlights

  • Black Student Life Panel Discussion: Hear from current Black students across Health Sciences, STEM/Engineering, Humanities/Social Sciences, and Graduate/Professional programs about their journeys, challenges, and successes at McMaster.
  • Black Leaders on Campus Collective (BLOCC) Marketplace | 3:00–4:00 PM Meet leaders from over 20 Black student organizations and explore co-curricular opportunities that align with your interests and passions.
  • Faculty & Staff Engagement: Connect with Black faculty and staff from all eight faculties who are committed to supporting your academic excellence and personal development.
  • Admissions, Enrollment & Financial Support Sessions: Gain detailed information on course selection, program pathways, scholarships, bursaries, OSAP, and financial planning for university.
  • Networking & Light Refreshments: Engage in informal conversations with current students, alumni, and campus partners while enjoying refreshments in a welcoming environment.
  • Q&A Sessions addressing academic, social, and cultural aspects of university life

Why Attend? 

  • Get Your Questions Answered – Learn directly from current Black students about their authentic McMaster experience across all faculties and programs.
  • Make Informed Decisions – Gather comprehensive information to make your university choice with confidence—from admissions and enrollment to scholarships and financial support.
  • Discover Support Systems – Explore the extensive network of culturally responsive programs, services, and resources available exclusively to Black students through the BSSC.
  • Build Community – Begin forming meaningful connections with peers, faculty, staff, and student leaders before your university journey even starts.
  • See Yourself at Mac – Envision your future success in an environment that celebrates Black excellence and champions your academic, personal, and professional growth.

BSSC Across Campus

Throughout the day, find BSSC Ambassadors at multiple locations across campus:

  • The McMaster Welcome Tent
  • The Black Student Success Centre (BSSC) Community Lounge – PGCLL, Room M05 (Drop-in: 10:00 AM–12:30 PM & 3:00–4:00 PM)
  • McMaster University Student Centre (MUSC) Atrium
  • L.R. Wilson Hall (LRW) Main Floor
  • Michael DeGroote Centre for Learning and Discovery (MDCL) Main Floor
  • Peter George Centre for Living and Learning (PGCLL) G Floor and M Floor

Look for our team in bright-colored BSSC T-shirts, lanyards, and beige/gold suits!

Main Event Schedule (1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.)

  • Welcome and BSSC Introduction
  • Black Student Panel Discussion
  • Information on Admissions, Enrollment, and Financial Support
  • Q&A and Breakout Sessions with Faculty Representatives
  • Networking and Refreshments

Who Should Attend 

We welcome Black high school students, offer holders, prospective applicants, parents/guardians, support circles, graduation coaches, equity officers, student success teachers, and anyone interested in learning about McMaster’s commitment to Black student success.

Registration Required

Register Here

For more information, please contact the Black Student Success Centre team at bss@mcmaster.ca. 

We look forward to welcoming you to the McMaster family! 

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