he African american Student Services program at UNM provides culturally relevant programs designed to assist primarily African american students in making a confident transition and successful adjustment to the University if New Mexico.

African American Student Services understands that students of ten require a holistic approach to academic support. The program strives to provide an environment which is sensitive to the culture and history of African Americans and assist African American students in achieving their educational goals.

African American Student Services is committed to recognizing the differences within the African American culture, appreciating othe cultures, and promoting programs within the university and the surrounding community that provide a cross-cultural perspective. Our staff is available to support the personal, academic, educational, and social development of students.

African American Student Services is not a duplicate of other services on the campus, but rather it concentrates on the special concerns that arise from the experience of being an African American on a pre-dominantly white campus.

All students, regardless of ethnicity, are encouraged to participate in our cultural and academic programming.

-- Program

Established in 1969 following student initiated proposal "To Break the Chains." Movement to establish Afro-American Studies at UNM led by the BSU.
This was very much a student led movement as it was throughout the rest of the nation.

Afro Studies at UNM was established on the heels of student activism and protest. Initially served the academic and social needs of Black students.
However, under the Leadership of Shiame Okunor, it was suggested that the academic separate from the social. Thus creating AASS.

Became a degree granting program in 1996

1st Director: Dr. Charles Becknell Sr 1969-1973/1974-1975 (leave of absence to write dissertation) 2nd Director: Dr. Willie Criddle 1973-1974 (interim) 3rd Director: Dr. Harold Bailey 1975-1980 4th Director: Dr. Cynthia Hamilton 1980 5th Director: Dr Shiame Okunor 1980-2005 6th director: Dr. Finnie Coleman: 2005-present