Welcome to the website of your Black Graduate and Professional Student Organization at the University of Virginia!

This organization was birthed through the collective vision of Brandi Collins and Diarra Soward, who saw unmet needs of African-American graduate students at the University of Virginia. The organization was formed to incorporate a consistent central institutional means (formal or informal) for students to meet, network, and support each other in this dispersed university environment.

The Black Graduate and Professional Student Organization officially began as a steering committee in November of 2001 and became a University C.I.O. in February 2002. Since that time we have increased our membership and have been busy creating an institutional foundation for the organization as well as establishing relationships with University faculty, administrators, staff, and undergraduates. Also, in order to fulfill our mission and attain our goals we are implementing many programs. We are really excited about our strides thus far and our anticipated progress!

Come be an intergral part of an organization dedicated to serving the needs of African-American graduate and professional school students!