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The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Black Faculty and Staff Association (BFSA) has been named a recipient of INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine’s 2020 Inspiring Affinity Group Award. SIUE is among 38 institutions nationally that will be profiled in INSIGHT Into Diversity’s July/August issue.

The award is presented to programs that inspire and encourage higher education professionals to join a campus that features employee resource groups offering mentoring, collaboration, social networking opportunities and more. “This one-of-a kind recognition is a testament to the impact and significance of our organization even in its early stage of existence,” states BFSA President Lakesha Butler, PharmD, BCPS, clinical professor in the SIUE School of Pharmacy (SOP) Department of Pharmacy Practice.

 “I offer congratulations to the BFSA on receiving the INSIGHT Into Diversity’s Inspiring Affinity Group Award, and heartfelt thanks for their role in supporting our campus community, and promoting SIUE’s mission, vision and values,” said Chancellor Randy Pembrook. “The BFSA is relatively new, and its succession of leaders Dr. Prince Wells, Dr. Anthony Cheeseboro and Dr. Lakesha Butler have done an excellent job of initiating and developing the group’s mission and activities.”

Butler emphasized recent events and activities established by the BFSA in its three years of existence:

• Inaugural Scholarship Gala – provided scholarships to students who embody BFSA’s mission
• Inaugural State of the Black Union event
• SIUE Student Welcome Reception – in collaboration with the Black Studies Program
• Monthly social events to connect with one another (on and off campus) and other social events such as Selfies with Santa and Kwanzaa Celebration
• Mentorship program with the SIUE East St. Louis Charter High School students
• General monthly meetings with campus guest speakers
• Inaugural Book Club discussing the book, “My Grandmother’s Hands”

Butler also highlighted BFSA’s advocacy efforts that include ensuring representation of black faculty and staff on search committees and other key committees on campus. 

Butler stated that having BFSA is critical for retention of black faculty and staff. “If a potential employee is weighing options of coming to an institution that has an established and active affinity group, they will most likely select that institution over one that does not offer this type of support,” she said. “Specifically, in under-represented minority groups, community is essential for individual success and mental well-being.”

J.T. Snipes, PhD, assistant professor in the Department of Educational Leadership within the SIUE School of Education Health and Human Behavior, acknowledged the BFSA provides several important functions. “When I came to SIUE in fall 2018, one of my biggest concerns was finding community,” he said. “I remember the first event I attended as a faculty member was the Black Student Welcome Reception. While the event was for our black students, it was also an event that welcomed me to the community.

“I knew there was space for me to be a part of thriving black communities on campus. BFSA was a welcoming organization that helped me find a greater sense of belonging. Without the support and friendships formed through the organization, I know my transition would have been much more challenging.”

The BFSA was organized to create better opportunities, ensure equity and inclusion, provide an engaging network, and create a welcoming environment for black faculty and staff. The SIU Board of Trustees ratified constituency status for the BFSA in April 2017.

INSIGHT Into Diversity is the oldest and largest diversity and inclusion publication and job board in higher education today. It is the premiere resource for diversity and inclusion news and information, creator of the annual Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award, and developer of Viewfinder Campus Climate Surveys. It is also the only remaining print magazine today focused exclusively on diversity and inclusion in higher education and beyond.