As a first generation college student, I’ve always considered myself both resourceful and responsible. For my undergraduate, I attended Loyola University of Chicago and graduated with my Bachelor’s of Arts in Women Studies, with a minor in Education Policy Studies.
Growing up in Chicago, I saw the city as wonderfully diverse, however, my college campus was a different story. Truthfully, it was throughout these years I began to reflect more on my identity.
At Loyola, I often found myself as the only Black girl, or even student in many of my classes. It became difficult to find a close community when I very rarely saw myself reflected on campus.
In my attempt to foster deeper connections, I became involved with the student diversity and multicultural affairs (SDMA) office at Loyola. It was through this opportunity, I was able to join a peer mentorship program, giving me the skills to further explore my identity and navigate the college environment as a first-generation college student. I also became involved in several different student employment positions, working for both admissions and SDMA at Loyola. I found it incredibly rewarding to be helping other low income students, as well as other first generation students, and students of color.
Additionally, considering Loyola is a Jesuit institution, there was often a particular emphasis on the importance of both reflection and social justice. I felt supported through these principles, and despite my challenges, I can attest that my undergraduate experience was absolutely foundational.
Upon graduation, it became clear to me how valuable my work helping other students truly was, and I decided to pursue my masters in student affairs administration at Michigan State University.
I knew I wanted to focus on assisting students of color, specifically Black students, and I had this goal in mind throughout my entire journey.
Remembering my own personal struggles during my undergrad years (and a few on the graduate level too), I wanted to be in a position to help future students avoid those same obstacles. I was looking for a chance to provide support and knowledge to this next generation, just like my mentors had for me. And when the job for program coordinator at UW-Madison’s Black Cultural Center (BCC) became open, I knew it was exactly what I was looking for.
Once I accepted the position of program coordinator for the BCC, though it was initially easy to make connections, many staff were turning over quite quickly. This would often force me to “start over,” when building my campus relationships and that can be difficult. At such a large university, people are always coming and going, and I had to be extra mindful of that.
Since I’ve been here, I found it the most rewarding watching students evolve throughout their time in the BCC. It’s quite memorable to see how significantly students grow as they become more involved with our programs.
To me, it’s all about listening to students. In fact, I am always looking for feedback, and it’s important to me to know how my students feel at our events. As program coordinator, I want to take all perspectives into consideration, and really push myself to continuously expand. With all the groups that pass through the BCC, though there are similarities between each, there are also experiences that are specific to certain identities within our community. That being said, I find most success through being thoughtful and open minded to everything.
The BCC is truly a hub for resources. I want it to be a space where students can come, feel comfortable, and get what they need. Since I came to campus, a new identity center has been developed almost every year, and it’s a beautiful thing to observe. The evolution of our campus keeps me on my toes, and truly excites me, and I feel proud of my work.
When students come to the Black Cultural Center, it’s really a home away from home, and we are a family. The BCC is here to support and advocate for students, and our goal is to always uplift the needs and concerns of Black students on our campus. Despite certain messages not always aligning, I want Black students on our campus to know that they belong here, and we want to see them flourish and succeed.
It’s everyone’s job to instill an inclusive atmosphere here on our campus, and there are always opportunities to expand your perspective and grow for the better.
In terms of support from other students and campus organizations, I think it’s all about collaboration. We exist to acknowledge the realities of Black communities here at UW-Madison, while also connecting students to the larger Wisconsin Experience, fostering a sense of belonging for all.
The BCC is one of the four identity centers within the Multicultural Student Center (MSC), which is part of Student Affairs at UW-Madison. For more information about the Black Cultural Center visit msc.wisc.edu, or visit the second floor of the Red Gym.