Dr. Clarence Thomas concludes 30-year service to VCU with honorary designation to Professor Emeritus and Affiliate Faculty

Dr. Clarence Thomas, who holds a Ph.D. in Mass Communications with a specialty in Media History from the University of Florida, an M.S. in Television/Radio from Syracuse University, and a B.A. (with honors) in Mass Media Arts from Hampton Institute (now Hampton University) retired in spring of 2020 after an impressive 30-year career. The bulk of his time in academia was spent at the Richard T. Robertson School of Media and Culture (formerly The School of Mass Communication when Dr. Thomas was hired.)

https://robertson.vcu.edu/news/dr-clarence-thomas-concludes-30-year-service-to-vcu-with-honorary-designation-to-professor-emeritus-and-affiliate-faculty-.html

BEA Annual Report 2018-2019

September 20, 2019
2:00pm to 4:00pm
Honors College
701 West Grace Street
Room 1303
BEA 2018-2019 Annual Report - V2.pdf

Aashir Nasim, VP for Inclusive Excellence

Aashir Nasim, Ph.D., respected scholar and academic administrator, was named vice president for Inclusive Excellence at Virginia Commonwealth University, effective April 2, 2018. Read the full VCU News article here:
https://news.vcu.edu/article/Aashir_Nasim_named_new_VP_for_inclusive_excellence_at_VCU

VCU Black Education Association Supports Black VCU Speaks

We commend Black VCU Speaks and students at other universities for bringing their voice to the lack of diversity of black faculty and cultural competency at VCU and other universities.  A university that values diversity and inclusion has to be inclusive of everyone.  The lack of black faculty has been a long standing concern of the black educators association.  Over the past three years BEA has met with several administrators to voice our concern about what we call a “crises.”  We agree with Black VCU Speaks that this crisis has not been adequately addressed with the urgency required. We believe given VCU’s historical mission and current status, there is an opportunity to show leadership in addressing this issue. -Black Education Association, November 2015

VCU to Study Decline in Black Students, Faculty

February 12, 2015

By Karin Kapsidelis, Richmond Times-Dispatch

Virginia Commonwealth University will examine why fewer African-American students from the Richmond area attend VCU even as undergraduate enrollment becomes more diverse. The university also will bring in a national consultant to study why its faculty is not as diverse as its student body — a concern that led the faculty senate to adopt a resolution last month declaring that the decline in black faculty compromises the mission of the university. Full article at:
http://www.richmond.com/news/local/education/article_ce9acba7-dd2e-55a5-ac38-c1bad7ca3ffc.html

Black faculty at VCU fight decline in their ranks

December 27, 2014

Karin Kapsidelis, Richmond Times-Dispatch

Virginia Commonwealth University professor Shawn Utsey has received Fulbright Scholar grant.

Go over to the Siegel Center on Broad Street and “you’ll find plenty of black people on the basketball team,” says Virginia Commonwealth University professor Shawn Utsey. “But those young black men may never have the benefit of having a black professor in their academic careers.”:
http://www.richmond.com/news/local/education/article_89d82c83-23b9-5a27-a26c-b1cd2e731438.html

VCU President Michael Rao's statement on VCU's continued commitment to inclusive excellence 
VCU President Michael Rao's statement on national challenges around race and diversity

Got News? We are looking for opportunities to share what’s happening with our members. Email us at bea@vcu.edu 

First African American Female Transplant Surgeon to visit VCU

The Black Education Association (BEA) at VCU hosted Dr. Velma Scantlebury M.D., FACS, Associate Director of the Kidney Transplant Program at Christiana Care Health System in Delaware on Februray 24, 2016. She is America's first African American female transplant surgeon. Read more about Dr. Scantlebury's visit.

 

Holly Price Alford, Associate Professor, School of the Arts, was elected President of the VCU Faculty Senate for the 2015-2016 academic year. She also authored the book, Who’s Who in Fashion, 6th edition published by Fairchild publishers.

Melissa Anderson, Director, Pre-Health and Pre-Law Advising, University College, was elected to serve as the Region 2 Chair for the NACADA, a national association of Academic Advising.

Faye Belgrave, Professor of Psychology, Department of Psychology, College of Humanities and Sciences and Director, Center for Cultural Experiences in Prevention, co-authored the book, African American Boys: Identity, Culture, and Development, published by Springer.

Leslie Bozeman, Associate Director of Global Engagement, VCU Globe, received a Fulbright International Education Administrator's Award. She will visit South Korea this summer in order to learn about its higher education system and to share information about VCU and the American higher education system. 

Christopher Brooks, Professor, School of World Studies, authored the book: Roland Hayes: The Legacy of an American Tenor (Indiana University Press 2015, trade division).

Brian Brown, Associate Professor of Marketing, VCU School of Business, received the 2014 VCU School of Business’ “Most Inspiring Teacher” Award.

Quincy Byrdsong, Vice President, Clinical Research Administration and Compliance, VCU Health System and Associate Vice President for Health Sciences, was elected to the National Board of Directors for the Society of Clinical Research Associates (SoCRA). His appointment began September 2014 and is a three-year term. He was also appointed as Vice President for Clinical Research Administration and Compliance for the VCU Health System in August 2014. Dr. Byrdsong's new role reports directly to the CEO of the VCU Health System, where he serves as a key member of the senior leadership team, working with other senior officers to realize the Health System’s promising and challenging future in support of VCU’s research mission.

Sonya Clark, chairwoman of the Department of Craft/Material Studies has been named the 2014 winner of the 1858 Prize for Contemporary Southern Art. The annual prize is awarded by Society 1858, a member auxiliary group of the Gibbes Museum of Art, for artists "whose work contributes to a new understanding of art in the South."

Henry Davis, III, Director of Finance and Budget, Development and Alumni Relations, was nominated to serve as a member on the Board of Directors for the Virginia Society of CPA’s for 2015-2016

Nakeina E. Douglas-Glenn, Director, The Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute, was the Recipient of the VCU 2014 Presidential Outstanding Achievement Award. This award recognizes outstanding performance, achievement and service excellence by staff and administrative and professional faculty in support of the University's Code of Conduct and Quest for Distinction, the strategic plan.

Daryl Fraser, Assistant Professor, School of Social Work, was appointed Vice-President of the Richmond Association of Black Social Workers.

Kelli Williams Gary, Assistant Professor of Occupational Therapy, School of Allied Health Professions, was promoted to a tenured eligible faculty position in the Department of Occupational Health.

Susan Gooden, Professor of Public Administration and Policy, L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs and Executive Director, The Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute, received the Dr. Jewel Prestage Pioneer Award, given by the national Conference of Minority Public Administrators (COMPA). This award recognizes scholars in the field of public administration who exemplify the legacy of Dr. Prestage, one of the first African American women to receive a Ph.D. in Political Science. 

Susie Goolsby, Assistant Professor and Director of Student Recruitment, School of Dentistry, was a participating editor for the International Caries Classification Management System, in London, UK, June 2014. This document is a paradigm shift for the dental profession.

Artis Gordon, director of the VCU Transfer Center, received the NACADA 2014 Outstanding Institutional Advising Program Award. 

Rosalyn H. Hargraves, Associate Professor, School of Education, has received the Presidential Awards for Community Multicultural Enrichment (PACME) faculty award for 2014-2015. The PACME ceremony was created to recognize members of the University and Health System communities who have contributed to promoting civility, building community, establishing effective cross-cultural initiatives, advocating equity, and nurturing tolerance and inclusive excellence throughout the University.  She is also the recipient of the Riese-Melton Capstone Award, which is given for contributions to cross-cultural relations.

Elsie Harper-Anderson, Assistant Professor, L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs, received a Research Grant from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. This research "maps" the entrepreneurial ecosystems in Chicago, Pittsburgh and Richmond metro areas. 

Grace E. Harris, distinguished professor at VCU, to receive honorary doctorate from the College of William & Mary. 

Kevin Harris, assistant vice president for health sciences, student initiatives and inclusion, discusses VCU Pipeline programs. 

Leonard Jackson, Assistant Professor, School of Dentistry, was a participating editor for the International Caries Classification  Management System, in London, UK, June 2014. This document is a paradigm shift for the dental profession. 

Tamura Lomax, Visiting Assistant Professor, Department of Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies, was awarded the Distinguished Ida B. Wells Alumni Award by Emory University, Candler School of Theology for her scholarship, journalism, and activism to advocating for transparent racial/gender justice and peace.

Saba Masho, Associate Professor of Epidemiology, Division of Epidemiology and Director, VCU Institute of Women's Health, Department of Family Medicine and Population Health received a grant award funded by the Maternal and Child Health Bureau, HRSA and contracted from the Richmond Social Services Department. The goal of this project is to evaluate a comprehensive case management program that is designed to reduce perinatal disparity among underserved African Americans. The project is funded for five years $300,000. 

Tawnya Pettiford-Wates, Associate Professor, School of the Arts, was chosen as one of Style Weekly’s Women in the ARTS for 2015.

Joann T. Richardson, Associate Professor, College of Humanities and Sciences was selected as an inaugural VCU Globe Faculty Fellow for 2014-2015 academic year. She is also a Co-investigator on the SIM (State Innovation Model) Grant funded by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services; US Department of Health and Human Services, which supports the development of a state innovation plan that focuses on disease prevention, mental health care, and reducing tobacco use and obesity.

Jon Riley, Head Coach, Men’s and Women’s Track and Field, VCU Athletics, was named Indoor Coach of the Year. He also coached the Women’s Indoor Track and Field team to win the 2015 Atlantic 10 Conference Women’s Indoor Track Championship.

Reginald Stroble, Assistant Director, Career & Industry Advising, VCU Career Services, was awarded the Black Faculty Alumni Empowerment Award by Virginia Tech in 2015, as well as Black Graduate Student of the year for 2014 by Virginia Tech's Black Graduate Student Organization. 

Beverly A. Walker, Associate Director of Programming and Educational Services, Student Commons, received the Presidential Awards for Community Multicultural Enrichment (PACME) administrator award, created to recognize members of the University and Health System communities who have contributed to promoting civility, building community, establishing effective cross-cultural initiatives, advocating equity, and nurturing tolerance and inclusive excellence throughout the University. 

BEA Faculty Retirements

Robert Foster, Associate Professor, Communication Arts, School of the Arts

Patricia Grant, Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice, L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs

The following books have been authored or edited by members of the Black Education Association at VCU.  For complete book listings, please check each faculty member's page or CV. 

Who's Who in Fashion

Holly Alford, et al.
Bloomsbury Academic 2014

 

African American Boys: Identity, Culture, and Development 

Faye Belgrave
Springer New York 2014 

Roland Hayes: The Legacy of an American Tenor

Christopher A. Brooks, et al.
Indiana University Press 2014  

Race and Social Equity: A Nervous Area of Government: 2014

Susan T. Gooden
Taylor & Francis 2014