Amid shifting national conversations around race, higher education and student advocacy, the Penn State Student Black Caucus entered the academic year with a clear mission to strengthen community, expand outreach and ensure Black students feel visible, supported and empowered.

“This year, our mission is to continue building a strong, united and visible Black community on campus — one that uplifts, protects, and empowers every Black student at Penn State,” Samiyah McDuffie said. “The caucus has always stood at the intersection of advocacy and community, and this year we’re focused on turning conversations into action.”

McDuffie, a fourth-year integrated undergraduate-graduate student studying accounting and president of the caucus, said this semester’s focus includes rebuilding after quieter years, expanding partnerships and prioritizing leadership development.

“We want to focus heavily on leadership development by equipping students with the tools to advocate for themselves and for others,” she said.

As political and social climates evolve nationally, McDuffie said the caucus is responding through civic engagement and education.

“We’ve seen how national debates can shape campus culture, so we’re working proactively to make sure Penn State remains a place where all students can organize, speak out and thrive,” McDuffie said.

That advocacy, she said, is expanding into more direct collaboration with student leadership and administrative offices.

“We’re broadening our advocacy beyond the traditional forums, such as bringing our voice to spaces where decisions are made,” McDuffie said. “That means joint programming with multiple organizations on campus, such as the National Association of Advanced Colored People, the Multicultural Undergraduate Law Association and Voters of Tomorrow to ensure policy follow-through.”

Aniyah Clarke said this year’s programming has emphasized belonging, mentorship and recognition. She said new and returning events have helped students reconnect with one another and access campus resources.

“Our first Resources Unlocked event brought together faculty members and campus resources to provide students with opportunities to network and build meaningful connections,” Clarke, a fourth-year studying criminology and the caucus’s first vice president, said.

The caucus’s annual Ashe Awards Show remains a beloved tradition that brings the community together for an evening of recognition and celebration, according to Clarke. It honors student excellence, leadership and the work of multicultural organizations across campus. She said developing future leaders within the Black community is central to the caucus’s mission.

“We’re mentoring younger students, encouraging them to run for positions and ensuring that leadership spaces reflect the diversity of the student body,” she said.

As the organization looks ahead, Clarke said success will be measured by growth in both confidence and connection.

“We want stronger community ties, a louder collective voice and a deeper strive for excellence on campus and beyond,” she said. “If every Black student feels more connected, confident and represented than they did at the start of the semester, we’ll know we’ve done our job.”

For Amari Saunders, visibility, communication and collaboration remain at the heart of the organization’s work because of the fun, safety and community brought to the campus.

“Programs like our ‘Politics & Potluck’ create spaces of belonging while also explaining the political power our community has,” Saunders, a fourth-year studying political science and the Caucus’s second vice president, said.

He said the caucus also plans to continue its long-standing community service efforts, including the upcoming “Toys for Tots” drive to support local families.

Beyond events, Saunders said the caucus’s advocacy extends into building institutional relationships and ensuring representation in decision-making.

“We’ve made it a priority to establish consistent communication with Penn State leadership,” he said. “Through advisory meetings and roundtables, we’re making sure that decisions about campus climate, safety and diversity include Black student voices at the table.”

Nationally, Saunders said current debates around diversity and student speech remind members why their work matters.

“Our work is part of a much bigger movement,” he said. “We’ve learned to balance activism with education, framing our advocacy through facts, context and dialogue while standing firm against injustice.”

He said that one of his own priorities is amplifying student achievement and pride across campus.

“Visibility combats isolation and shows future students that they belong here too,” Saunders said.

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