Charles E. Brown African American Cultural Center

Student Affairs

Portrait of Charlie Brown, an elder African American man smiling, wearing a dark suit with a white rose boutonniere.

The Charles E. Brown African American Cultural Center is responsible for developing and providing opportunities for African American students to involve themselves in creating, innovating, designating, and deciding cultural programs relevant to them. It is further responsible for promoting positive identification, association, and relationship to African American historical and contemporary culture. The Charles E. Brown African American Cultural Center creates a learning environment conducive for students, administrators, faculty members, and citizens of the Terre Haute community to understand, recognize, and appreciate the contributions made by African American people.

Historical Significance

Founded in 1972 in response to Black Student Unions protest and list of demands for space reflective of their unique and shared experiences. University leadership recognized and supported African American students need for a separate and safe space which fostered recreation, retreat and cultural rejuvenation. African American alumni recall their experiences as likened to a small HBCU within a PWI. The African American Cultural Center provided a space for cultural uplift and empowerment which prepared students to deal with challenges and obstacles ahead.

Charles E. Brown: Longest standing director of the AACC –Served as director for over 30 years. ISU Board of Trustees recognized his exceptional character through the naming of Charles E. Brown African American Cultural Center.

Mission Statement

The Charles E. Brown African American Cultural Center strives to engage students whose educational, intellectual, and personal interests include issues of race, ethnicity and the varied social, cultural and political histories of Africans across the Diaspora.

The African American Cultural Center provides programs and services for students of African descent which fosters:

Academic support
Social programming
Community involvement
Cultural immersion
Personal growth
Professional development

Vision and Goals

To uphold the University’s commitment of valuing diversity and inclusion
To develop the leadership skills of students interested in making a meaningful impact in their personal and professional endeavors
To celebrate the breadth and depth of black traditions, practices, and experiences
To provide opportunities for cultural enlightenment, artistic expression, intellectual contribution, and community connections
To collaborate with campus and community partners to foster networks for purposeful research, identity development, and career exploration

Student Organizations

Black Student Union (B.S.U.)
Bless the Mic
Brotherhood of Successful Scholars ( B.O.S.S. )
NAACP (Collegiate Chapter)
Students African American Sisterhood (S.A.A.S)

The ISUcceed program was created to assist students with the transition from high school to Indiana State. ISUcceed addresses issues that commonly impede student success such as time management, engagement and study skills. Through ISUcceed, students can develop strong academic study skills and develop leadership and professional skills that will help them throughout college and beyond. Additionally, ISUcceed assists students who are facing academic difficulties.

The ISUcceed Program

Involves and assists parents and/or guardians in the process of preparing their student for college.
Helps students transition from high school to college and adjust to the academic and social rigors of college life.
Guides and supports students as they learn to navigate the university and helps them develop positive academic strategies.
Helps students build leadership and professional skills.
Assists students who are facing academic difficulties or have been placed on academic probation.

ISUcceed is free of charge and open to all incoming freshmen students. Students will receive information about the program prior to new student orientation and can sign up for the program during orientation.

Program Components

Summer Orientation Session

In this session, students learn about college life from upperclassmen. New students are introduced to the ISUcceed program and staff, and learn about college academic expectations, resources and leadership opportunities to help them be successful. To register click here.

Prep-Fall Orientation

The program is held prior to the first day of classes and helps new students to transition to State by introducing them to support resources, providing an opportunity to meet their graduate counselors as well as other new students.

ISUcceed Scholars Program

ISUcceed Scholars provides ongoing social and academic support to students through bi-weekly meetings with graduate counselors, academic seminars, tutoring, leadership development and social activities.

Refocus

The Refocus component helps students who are placed on academic probation get back on track through intensive counseling and academic seminars. It's about your future. Partner with the Charles E. Brown African American Cultural Center and experience success!

Last Semester of High School Senior Year

Learn to study.
Don’t stress about what you need for your dorm room; focus on your academics and finish strong.
Find all the scholarships you can and apply for them.
Make sure you have your financial aid paperwork completed and turned in. You do not want to have to stand in that long, long line at the financial aid office.
Learn how to budget your money, regardless of how much or how little you have. Budget your money.
Many schools want students to do community service. Begin your community service during the summer prior to starting your freshman year so that you can add on to your service hours.

Summer Preparation

Save your graduation money for textbooks and other items you need.
Don’t buy everything on the checklist (residence hall or stores). You don’t need everything. Decide on your needs and not your wants.
Talk to your roommate about the items both of you will bring to the room. Also, discuss likes and dislikes.
If possible, get to know your roommate prior to moving in.
Save your quarters. You will need them for laundry.
Learn how to do your laundry.
Attend Summer Orientation.

First Semester at Indiana State

There are lots of things to do the first couple of weeks on campus – get out of your room, participate, and mingle.
Look into the registered student organizations, attend their meetings, and join them. Do not stay in your room.
Learn how to speak with your professors.
Don’t be too friendly with everyone. You can be friendly without going overboard.
Understand that you will have to put much more effort into your college work than what you did for high school.
Go to class!
Learn how to manage your time.
Get used to Blackboard and online courses. You will have to do both.
Learn the lexicon (language) of the State (e.g., HMSU = Hulman Memorial Student Union).
Culture shock is real. Indiana State is very diverse. Get used to people who are different than you.
Be respectful. Not everyone was raised the same.
Don’t take things so seriously. In other words, don’t let everything get you upset.
At the same time, understand the importance of serious issues and seek out help when needed.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Know when to get help and do it.
Be discerning with your friendships. Knowing a person’s character is important. Understand the old saying “Birds of a feather flock together.”
Learn your resources and use them. There are a lot, such as tutoring, Math & Writing Center, Career Center, African American Cultural Center, ISUcceed program, academic advisors, etc.
Get to know your Resident Advisor (RA) and your Academic Peer Advisor (APA).
Talk to people, especially those on your floor and in your hall.
Make sure you understand your Commons Cash and your meal credits and know the difference.
Know how to budget your money.
Buying things on campus is expensive. Keep your budget in mind.
Don’t forget why you came to college. (Hint: to get your degree).
Utilize the Rec Center.
Don’t go home on the weekends. There are lots of different things to do and free activities (movies, sports, dances, etc.) on campus during the weekends.
Learn the campus – use the map.
Don’t be afraid to be a freshman. Lots of people want to help freshmen.
Go to campus activities and events (lectures, concerts, etc.). This is part of learning.
Get out of your comfort zone.
Join organizations, but not too many.
Go to parties but be responsible.
Learn how to use social media appropriately. Inappropriate words and pictures can follow you for a long, long time.
Lose your high school way of thinking. There is no detention in college. In high school, suspension is for a few days; in college it is for a whole semester or longer, and it can hurt your chances for a good job or to transfer to a new school.
Keep your neighborhood values at home. In other words, what you used to do at home may not work here or could even get you into trouble.
Don’t try to take care of your home. Keep your focus on school.
Don’t take all the hard classes your first semester. You need to get a good strong GPA (grade point average) in your first semester.
Unlike high school, you can choose your courses in college. Learn the course requirements of your program, then work with your academic advisor to plan out your college career. Be an active participant and not a passive one.
Just because you can drop a course doesn’t mean you should. However, if you are not doing well in a course, do not be afraid to drop it.
Be prepared for the relationship with your parents to change.
Don’t give up even when you hit roadblocks.