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When it comes to working while Black in U.S. colleges and universities with the average numbers coming in at a meager 6 percent, one may want to invest in a rabbit’s foot or a four-leaf clover. However, in her award-winning documentary short “clusterluck,” Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Candace N. Hall, EdD, reports there is a better way to raise numbers. 

Hall, “clusterluck” creator and executive producer and assistant professor in the School of Education, Health and Human Behavior’s (SEHHB) Department of Educational Leadership, debuted her 24-minute film at SIUE on Thursday, Feb. 2 in the Dunham Hall Theater on the Edwardsville campus. Cami Thomas, CEO of My Friends and I (MFAI) in St. Louis, is the film’s director. Hall, also co-program director for Higher Education and Student Affairs (HESA), and Thomas won a prestigious Award of Recognition from the IndieFEST Film Awards for the documentary. 

SIUE Chancellor James T. Minor, PhD, who introduced Hall after welcoming guests, noted how cluster hiring could help the University find solutions in future endeavors.   

Following the viewing, a panel presentation was held with participants Dan Mahony, PhD, Southern Illinois University System president; Denise Cobb, PhD, SIUE provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs; Robin Hughes, PhD, SEHHB dean; Natasha Flowers, PhD, SEHHB assistant dean for anti-racism, equity and inclusion; and Joy Gaston-Gayles, professor of higher education and senior advisor for Advancing DEI at North Carolina State University in Raleigh. 

Hall, who was hired in a cluster in 2020, wanted to bring to life Hughes’ simple, yet revolutionary idea of employing and retaining talented Black faculty. 

“This documentary short, ‘clusterluck,’ captures the intentionality of recruiting Black faculty to SIUE,” said Hall. “It explores the creation of an intentional community to support Black faculty toward thriving and experiencing joy at the institution. This film is a digital visualization of my research on Black faculty experiences in academe and encourages higher education leaders to reimagine recruitment and hiring practices necessary for diversification of the professoriate. I am hopeful this work shows the world what is possible for Black faculty when recruitment is done with care and intentionality.” 

Starring in the film are Hall, Hughes, SEHHB’s Educational Leadership faculty members J.T. Snipes, PhD, and Cherese Fine, PhD, both assistant professors; Derek Houston, PhD, associate professor; and Angel Jones, PhD, visiting assistant professor; and Dominic Dorsey, director of Accessible Campus Community and Equitable Student Support (ACCESS) and adjunct faculty in Higher Education and Student Affairs.  

“This is not new,” said Hughes. “I have been in a space before with people who talked and strategized about how to recruit and retain faculty who would move us all in a direction that would affect change in the world. The impetus is always on goodness for the sake of humanity, student support and community uplift. It is about radical support for students, who will ultimately go on and do great things in this world. So, a cluster hire comes from the demands of students and their needs.” 

Snipes seconded Hughes’ views and actions. “Cluster hiring is an important practice, because it provides the essential foundation for creating faculty communities with the potential to recruit and retain Black faculty, as well as other marginalized faculty recruitment,” he added. “If we want a more racially diverse faculty, we have to think not just about recruitment but what are the things necessary to retain them.” 

Hall points to scholarship that backup these claims. “Research studies have shown cluster hires have been successful when done with intentionality, clear objectives and institutional commitment (Bloom et al., 2019; Muñoz et al., 2017),” she cited. 

“My experience here has been so different from what I’ve read about, and what I know my peers across the field or even this institution are experiencing,” shared Hall. “This film allows people to feel and experience a glimpse of our community, which is wonderful and supportive. I just feel lucky to be here and part of this cluster project.” 

Upcoming viewings of Hall and Thomas film:

• 5-7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 23, Washington University, St. Louis
• 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 28, Kenworthy Performing Arts Center, Moscow, Idaho 

For more information or to book a viewing of the film, contact Hall at @hallofacademia or candacenhall.com. 

Photos:
(L-R): Candace N. Hall, EdD, creator and executive producer of “clusterluck” and assistant professor in the SEHHB’s Department of Educational Leadership, listens to SIUE Chancellor James T. Minor, PhD, offer welcome remarks to the audience. 

(L-R): Panel members SEHHB Dean Robin Hughes, PhD, and SIU System President Dan Mahony, PhD, discuss hiring and retaining Black faculty following the showing of “clusterluck.” 

SIUE Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Denise Cobb, PhD, (fourth from left), offers insights while other panel members listen.