Student Success and Belonging Center (SSBC)
About the Center
In April 2026, Fresno State's Cross Cultural and Gender Center (CCGC) evolved into the Student Success and Belonging Center (SSBC) as part of a thoughtful approach to unite identity-affirming spaces with student success programs that offer proactive guidance, peer mentorship and early support when challenges arise. By bringing these services together, the center creates a more seamless experience for students that honors their whole selves.
Our students arrive with rich identities, strengths and aspirations. Institutional data shows that too many students — especially those from historically marginalized backgrounds — face challenges navigating campus systems and staying on track to graduate.
While cultural centers play a vital role in fostering community and affirming identity, students also need coordinated, proactive support to overcome academic and structural barriers.
This evolution allows the university to:
- Intervene earlier with students who need support
- Coordinate services more intentionally
- Reduce fragmentation across programs
- Ensure students receive the right support at the right time
The Student Success and Belonging Center aligns with the CSU Student Success Framework, which emphasizes personalized, holistic and centralized student support services.
The work of this center will continue to evolve through ongoing input from students, faculty, and staff.
The Student Success and Belonging Center brings together several programs and services to create a more connected student experience:
- The Cross Cultural and Gender Center’s legacy programs and services
- Dream Success Program
- Renaissance Scholars Program
In addition, student success initiatives previously supported through grant funding — including:
- Black Student Success Initiative (BSSI),
- Southeast Asian Student Success (SEAS) Center, and
- College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP)
are being integrated into the center in revised formats that preserve core services for students while ensuring long-term sustainability.
This unified structure creates a clearer pathway for students with intersecting identities and reduces confusion about where to seek support.
The Student Success and Belonging Center is headquartered in the Thomas Building at Fresno State, the longtime home of the Cross Cultural and Gender Center.
At this time, some programs and staff will continue to operate from their current locations to ensure continuity and accessibility for students. As plans for office moves and facility updates take shape, we will keep students and the campus community informed.
All students are welcome to access services.
We place intentional focus on supporting students who experience systemic barriers related to race, gender, immigration status, first-generation college status, financial need, or intersecting identities. This focus reflects Fresno State and the CSU’s commitment to closing opportunity and outcome gaps and ensuring that every student has equitable access to success.
No matter your background or journey, this center is here to support you.
Students can connect with the center through:
- Walk-in visits
- Referrals from faculty and staff
- Program enrollment
- Outreach and early alert initiatives
Support is relationship-based and designed to help students stay engaged and on track toward graduation.
Programs that were previously supported by time-limited grants are being thoughtfully integrated into the Student Success and Belonging Center.
Some programs may look different in structure from before, but core services and commitments to supporting students remain. This integrated model enhances sustainability and helps ensure students continue to receive vital support without interruption.
Yes. Cultural programming and identity-affirming spaces remain priorities.
Belonging grows from community and connection as much as from academic support, so these experiences are central to the center’s work.
In many cases, yes. Students will continue working with their current advisors, mentors, and program contacts as we begin this transition.
At the same time, as the Student Success and Belonging Center develops new structures
and coordinated approaches, some staffing roles and program assignments may shift
over time.
These changes are being made thoughtfully to strengthen services and better support
students.
If and when changes affect a student’s primary contact or program support, we will communicate clearly and in advance so students know exactly who to connect with and how to access the help they need.
“Data-informed” support simply means using information to better help students succeed.
It includes looking at things like:
- Student feedback and experiences
- Academic progress and engagement
- Trends that show where students may need more help
This information helps us:
- Notice early when a student might be struggling
- Reach out sooner instead of waiting for problems to grow
- Improve programs and services based on what is actually working
In plain terms, it means we make decisions based on real student needs and real results — so support is more timely, more effective and more responsive.
This approach reflects the CSU Student Success Framework’s focus on using evidence to close opportunity gaps and help more students reach their goals.
Faculty and staff are essential partners in creating student success and belonging at Fresno State.
Campus colleagues can engage with the Student Success and Belonging Center by:
- Thought partnering and collaborating on programs and initiatives
- Co-sponsoring events, workshops, and cultural programming
- Connecting classroom learning to co-curricular experiences that strengthen belonging
- Referring students through clear, streamlined pathways
- Collaborating on early alerts and coordinated care
- Partnering to support students facing academic, financial, or personal challenges
The center serves as a resource, collaborator, and bridge — helping faculty and staff connect students to community, support, and opportunities that enhance both belonging and academic success.
Together, we help create an environment where students feel supported inside and outside the classroom.
Students, faculty and staff may submit feedback through this form. The campus community is also invited to attend the following forums:
- Faculty and Staff: April 14 (9-10 a.m.) - Leon S. Peters Ellipse Gallery (2nd floor of the Library)
- Students: April 15 (11 a.m.-12 p.m.) - Leon S. Peters Ellipse Gallery (2nd floor of the Library)
- Faculty and Staff: April 17 (1:30-2:30 p.m.) - Library 2206
The center is committed to listening, learning and adapting based on student experiences. The center is also committed to engaging through partnerships and collaborative initiatives with the campus community.
As this center continues to take shape, we want to hear from our campus and community. Your feedback will help inform how the center develops its programs, services, and spaces to best serve our students. Students, faculty and staff are invited to attend the following campus forums:
- Faculty and Staff: April 14 (9 to 10 a.m.) - Leon S. Peters Ellipse Gallery (2nd floor of the Library)
- Students: April 15 (11 a.m. to 12 p.m.) - Leon S. Peters Ellipse Gallery (2nd floor of the Library)
- Faculty and Staff: April 17 (1:30 to 2:30 p.m.) - Library 2206
You may also share your thoughts through the online feedback form.