CHAMPIONS Program

Mission

The mission of the Creating Headstrong Aspiring Men Persistent In Overcoming Next Steps (CHAMPIONS) Program is to strengthen Bloomfield College’s delivery of student support services in order to increase the enrollment of Black male students at Bloomfield College and improve their academic success, retention rates, and graduation rates, as well as prepare them for their future professions, and positions of leadership. Champions are determined and resilient. They don’t give up easily, and they keep pushing through even when things get tough. Champions muster the grit and perseverance to stay the course and see their goals through to the end. The CHAMPIONS program produces leaders.

The CHAMPIONS Program is funded through a Predominantly Black Institutions (PBI) Competitive Grant, and is the ONLY sponsored program on campus specifically designed to support Black men in higher education. Bloomfield College was awarded the FY21 PBI C Grant in September of 2021. Since being designated as a PBI in 2008, Bloomfield College has received more than $11.5 million in funding from the U.S Department of Education’s Predominantly Black Institutions Program. Learn more about the grants Bloomfield College has received through the PBI Program.

Program Requirements

Black male students are the primary focus of the CHAMPIONS program. Students who commit to CHAMPIONS will be required to meet the following conditions:

• Submit a program application and sign a student contract for the academic year.
• Attend scheduled mentoring and coaching sessions, and any PBI sponsored events.
• Participate in all leadership workshops, and attend the annual CHAMPIONS Leadership Retreat.
• Attend mental health outreach programs throughout the academic year.

Program Details and Benefits

The CHAMPIONS program is a student-centered support and coaching initiative that aims to increase the academic success, retention, and graduation rates of Black male students. Our goal is to prepare them for their future careers, positions of leadership, and to be positive and productive examples for their communities. CHAMPIONS participants will have access to the following resources:

• Peer Tutoring & Mentoring: 1:1 and group sessions will be available for Bloomfield College students, by Bloomfield College students.
• Leadership Workshops: These workshops are designed to expose students to new information and accessible opportunities. They will offer networking opportunities, strategies, support and encouragement, all while building a stronger sense of self, identity and accountability.
• Guest Speaker Series: Special guest will facilitate workshops and deliver keynotes highlighting resilience, accomplishments, new information and resources.
• Mental Health Outreach Programs: Workshops and informational sessions on a variety of topics which may include: Stress Management, Anxiety, Depression/Mood Disorders, Self-Harm, Grief and Loss, Suicide: Awareness & Prevention, Personal Counseling Services, Diversity/Cultural Identity, Sexuality, and Gender Identity.
• Annual CHAMPIONS Retreat: Members will participate in an off-campus retreat focused on self-assessment, comradery, goal-setting and emotional challenges.
• Summer Outreach/Counseling: All members will receive a minimum of 3 personalized correspondences (text, email, or phone call) from CHAMPIONS staff or coaches during the summer months from May through August.

The CHAMPIONS program complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, or sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity).