This year marks the 100th anniversary of Black History Month. As we celebrate a century of honoring Black achievement and culture, we also recognize the impact Black students, staff and faculty make every day across SJSU’s campus. This series of articles shines a light on their achievements and the ways they help make San José State a more vibrant, welcoming and empowering place to be.
When Lydie Kizungu, ’27 Public Health, first arrived at SJSU, she was nervous that she would feel out of place. She had heard that the Black student population at the school was around 3%, and she was worried that she might not fit in.
But those feelings soon dissipated when she visited the Black Leadership and Opportunity Center (BLOC) for the first time.
“When I walked in, I felt at home,” says Kizungu. “The environment was filled with so much light and created such a welcoming atmosphere. Being able to see all the other Black students on campus, and feeling that sense of community eased my nervousness and made me feel confident and quite excited about starting off this new journey in my life.”
Now in her third year at San José State, Kizungu is deeply involved in the campus community. She works as a mentor for the Guardian Scholars Program, which provides resources and support to students who have experienced foster care or other non-traditional living environments.
“As someone who was personally a part of the program, I felt incredibly supported and guided throughout my college journey,” says Kizungu. “With my experience, I wanted to give back and provide that same support and guidance to other students.”
She initially worked as a student assistant, where she helped to connect students to campus resources, while creating a welcoming, positive environment for them. As a mentor, she now offers students guidance in navigating college successfully.
Lydie Kizungu tabling on campus for the African Students Organization. Photo courtesy of Lydie Kizungu.
Kizungu is also part of the African Student Organization, a student club on campus that works to create a space for African students to build community and connect with one another.
“We also work to educate other students about the diversity of African countries, cultures and traditions,” says Kizungu. “The club is open for not just African students, but open to all students on campus who want to learn more about Africa.”
She serves as the director of outreach for the club, where she works to build collaboration, as well as form partnerships with different organizations on and off campus.
Kizungu thrives through working within the community, providing care and compassion to those around her. After graduation, she plans to pursue a master’s degree in nursing, and to one day become a public health nurse.
“During my time here at San José State, I hope to be a source of light and support for other students. I want to help many students find a sense of belonging on campus,” says Kizungu. “One thing I really admire about San Jose State is the different spaces it offers for students to feel welcomed. I do believe finding these spaces and accessing these spaces is what’s difficult for many students. I hope to serve as a bridge in ensuring I can not only help create those inclusive spaces but also guide them towards existing resources and communities.”