Maxine McDonald Residential Scholars Program welcomes newest cohort, fosters community for Black student success

Maxine McDonald Residential Scholars
photos by Marisa Mata

On August 15, twenty-five students moved into the dorms at Fresno State as part of the second cohort of the university’s Maxine McDonald Residential Scholars Program. The program, established in 2023, aims to create an empowering community for students with an affinity for the Black or African American experience. The program infuses on-campus resources to offer academic support, mentorship, and opportunities for community engagement. 

The Maxine McDonald Residential Scholars Program is a two-year program that students begin during their freshman year on campus. As a Maxine McDonald Residential Scholar, students receive:

  • A dorm room on campus and a platinum meal plan to be used in the university’s dining hall. 
  • Exclusive access to program-specific courses and enrichment activities that will contribute to their respective majors. 
  • Access to discussions with Fresno State staff, faculty and at-large community members. 

As upperclassmen and program alumni, students have the opportunity to serve as peer mentors to the underclassmen active in the program. 

“I heard about the program at Preview Day from the Black Student Success Initiative, and was excited about it and decided to apply,” said Angel Washington, a freshman from Kern County. “I think it’s very meaningful because I feel like there’s not enough programs that help out African American students, and for us to have a program for us to get together, make a community, find friends within each other, it’s very good for us. And we can build on that and help other African American students at our school.”

After moving into their dorms, the scholars took part in orientation activities that spanned over five days, including workshops and presentations to connect them to campus programs and services, team building activities at the EDGE Ropes Course and a community service day. Students also had professional headshots taken and worked in teams to take part in academic debates regarding social issues. 

Scholars in shirts that read, "Iconic, advocative, exemplary"
student on balance beam, with teammates standing behind him
students huddled together during a group activity

With Black and African American students making up only 2.8% of the student population in the past academic year, multiple students expressed that being in the Maxine McDonald Residential Scholars Program is important to them because it offers them a chance to connect with students of similar backgrounds and more deeply with their culture. 

“Sometimes I will be the only Black person in the classroom. It’s not horrible, but it’s nice to have people around you that you can communicate with on a different level,” said Zene Critton, a freshman from the Bay Area. “I like having that community [in this program] that I can give my time to and they can give that back to me.”

Sade Johnson, program director of the Black Student Success Center, said, “In the time that I’ve overseen the Maxine McDonald Residential Scholars Program, I’ve seen students find their footing on campus, gain confidence, and form friendships that help them evolve as individuals.”

“This program actively builds community by challenging students to pay it forward. Mrs. Maxine McDonald paid it forward through her service on campus, and we encourage inquisitive thinking on how they will start a legacy that creates a similar impact.” 

To be eligible for and maintain their place in the program, students must have an affinity for the Black or African American experience, be registered as a full-time student, engage in community service hours, and have a cumulative GPA of 2.8 or higher. 

For more information about the Maxine McDonald Residential Scholars Program, visit https://fresnostatehousing.org/maxine-mcdonald-scholars/. 

by MARISA MATA

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