Asher, Class of 2021

Honestly, the culture shock of going to a place where the population is mostly white, without family or prior friends was the most difficult experience I faced. Prescott is not necessarily separated by race, but it is also definitely very cliquey. There was a Black Student Union but once a certain student started attending and spreading rumors about me, I couldn’t go to meetings without people saying stuff or making me uncomfortable. So I’d say there are basically no resources specific to black students. Prescott doesn’t support students of color. The two male faculty members of color have done numerous atrocious activities without consequence or having to take responsibility. These teachers also choose favorites and then only show interest/support for these students. I’m actually a non-binary trans man and wasn’t able to finish my bachelor’s degree because of how little support the school gave me after covid. Until my junior year, I was an RA to pay for living arrangements, and then covid hit so I was forced to live with my abusive mother until she kicked me out. I was shelterless living in my car and more than 4 faculty members knew but did absolutely nothing/offered me no resources. Now they continue to call trying to charge me for my last class toward the degree after I already explained how I can’t even afford to live at the moment. When I tried explaining how much I’ve been going through and how hard life became after coming out as trans, my advisor cut me off to talk about a time she thought she was trans and told her mom only to find out she wasn’t. Then, she rushed me off the phone and didn’t reach out again. All I needed was for someone to help me sign up for one class and take out some loans to pay for it. Both of which are people’s jobs at the school, but who don’t care about me enough to help. I’ve never felt so tossed to the side and unseen by an institution but sadly am not surprised. I have never felt represented here. I wish so many things were different! I think for a start, not lying to us when we’re applying. I saw so many pictures of black students only to arrive on campus as one of two black students in my freshman year (2017) then in 2019 there were about 5-7 black students in the entire on-campus undergrad program. Falsely advertising an environment that doesn’t exist isn’t fair, and leaves those of us who are tricked by it to try creating it on our own. Unless you have a special interest in something at whatever college you are attending, go to an HBCU. I will forever regret not enrolling in one for my undergrad experience.