Black and African American Student Resources

Academic and Career Resources

Black Student SUCCESS Project

The research-based Black Student SUCCESS Project, launched in fall 2008, aims to increase the number of Parkland College graduates by providing African American students with personal development, career, and academic workshops, activities, and events. 

Support for Workforce Training (SWFT)

Parkland College's Support for Workforce Training (SWFT) program helps in-district residents move into high-demand careers with family-sustaining wages within a year or less. SWFT was founded with the support of the Illinois Workforce Equity Initiative grant. We strive to close the career gap by assisting African American residents in advancing their academic and professional careers.

TRiO

TRiO Student Support Services at Parkland College promotes equal opportunity to succeed by providing high-quality and responsive support services for first-generation college students, low-income students, and students with disabilities.  

Career Services

Whether you are a student choosing a college major or are a dislocated worker, career changer, or retiree, we have career resources and services designed to assist you. 

Student Organizations

Student Life maintains a list of student organizations that are currently active, as well as ones that have existed in the past but have become inactive. If you do not find one that meets your interests, contact Student Life for information on starting a new one.

Parkland Events

Black History Month

Each year Parkland College celebrates the historical achievements of African Americans with a month-long series of events including faculty lectures, student presentations, and a popular soul food luncheon. The public is invited to participate.

Community Resources

Community Resources

Annual Countywide Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration

MLK Countywide Celebration

Each year, the cities of Champaign and Urbana come together with Champaign County, the Village of Rantoul, Parkland College, and the University of Illinois to host a countywide celebration honoring the life and legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Champaign County Community Coalition

Parkland College is a member of the Champaign County Community Coalition, which was created with the vision to provide a network of organizations and stakeholders that improve the lives of youth and their families resulting in youth who are empowered and safe, to promote effective law enforcement and positive police-community relations, and to support greater knowledge/use of the resources available.

NAACP Champaign County

The NAACP Champaign County Branch serves the people of Champaign County. Our primary focus is to provide programs and services that promote and enhance civil and equal rights, political empowerment, educational excellence, economic development, and outreach, i.e. health, youth, etc. The Champaign County Branch strives to ensure equal access to all rights, privileges and resources that contribute to the quality of life for the people it serves. The strength of our branch lies with the history of the organization and its membership. The Champaign County Branch is committed to building an organization that is trusted, respected, and considered an effective resource for the Champaign County community. The overall goal of the branch is to improve the quality of life for the people it serves.

Bruce D. Nesbitt African American Cultural Center, University of Illinois

The Bruce D. Nesbitt African American Cultural Center at the University of Illinois provides programs and services that assist with the cultural, personal, and professional development of students at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. We are intentional about our work regarding the development of students within the African Diaspora, and therefore we place a special emphasis on our role in developing these students. Moreover, we eagerly collaborate with student organizations, campus departments, and community stakeholders to achieve our mission.