Office of African-American Affairs

Established in 1976, the Office of African-American Affairs (OAAA) ensures that students, especially those who self-identify as part of the African diaspora, have culturally sensitive resources (people, places, and services) that support their academic and non-academic needs at the University of Virginia. One defining aspect of OAAA's mission remains to collaborate broadly to assist students in getting to their preferred destination (industry, graduate, or professional school); high graduation rates and correspondingly high-grade point averages are critical indicators of the University's success in fulfilling this mission and creating a unique value proposition for the University.

As such, OAAA is a comprehensive services unit within the Division of Student Affairs that delivers on its mission through several core programs, over a dozen signature events, and culturally informed services. These programs (i.e., OAAA Peer Advisor Program, Black Male Initiative, Black College Women, and Project RISE), events (i.e., Black Friday and BHM Gospel Explosion), and services (academic advising and consultation) map onto the students' developmental life span and accompanying milestones: from enrollment to graduation—from their first co-curricular engagement to becoming global student leaders.

An additional focus of the Office is its decades-old partnership with the parents of current students. OAAA offers parents of enrolled students an opportunity to connect with the University through various activities that include annual meetings with University administrators, faculty, and students; get acquainted events for the families of first-year and entering transfer students; and social events during Family or Alumni Weekends.