UTSA community invited to participate in Black Faculty and Staff Association
UTSA Black Faculty and Staff Association members
UTSA Black Faculty and Staff Association members
Share this Story(Sept. 9, 2014) -- The UTSA Black Faculty and Staff Association (BFSA) is seeking members who are full-time or part-time UTSA faculty or staff members of all ethnicities and races. The organization works to increase support and interaction for black faculty, students and staff at the university through a variety of events and activities. Membership meetings are once each month, frequently in the University Center.
"Joining the Black Faculty and Staff Association gave me a sense of belonging," said staff member Michelle Skidmore, administrative manager in the PeopleSoft Support and Sustainment Center. "I found that many of my colleagues shared the same concerns as I do regarding the recruitment and retention of black faculty, staff and students. I wish I had more mentors in my life, who could have guided me when I felt lost. Now, as a member, I have an opportunity to pay it forward in supporting students to reach their fullest potential."
"I believe having an organization like BFSA on the UTSA campus helps the faculty and staff work together to encourage and support African-American students to be academically successful while attending UTSA," said Sharon Kavanaugh, transcript evaluator in the Office of Admissions. "Being an active member of BFSA allows me to meet students, be a welcoming force and a positive impact within the UTSA community. Becoming a member has motivated me to learn more and strive more to do more."
"The annual BFSA Knowledge Bowl is attended by several hundred students each year and is supported by academic departments and staff across campus," said Vanessa Kenon, assistant vice provost for information technology. "I have truly enjoyed the role our department has taken on for the Knowledge Bowl. We have helped transform the event from papers and clickers to a more high-tech environment with video screens, automated clock countdowns and digital technology on big screens to keep the audience involved, while teams compete at the academic event.
"When I began working at UTSA, BFSA was dormant, but with a small planning committee, we created the first African-American Studies Spring Symposium in April 2008," said Joycelyn Moody, Sue E. Denman Distinguished Chair in American Literature. "The symposium featured some of the most recent developments in African-American students across a variety of academic disciplines. This helped to resurrect the group and set some goals for keeping in touch with each other on campus."
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Learn more about the group at the UTSA Black Faculty and Staff Association website.
To join the association email list or to become a member, email Mallory Banks or call 210-458-6619.
Connect with the UTSA Black Faculty and Staff Association on Facebook and Twitter.
Connect online with UTSA on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Instagram.
Events
This event will acknowledge graduating seniors from the McNair Scholars program at UTSA before inducting the new cohort of scholars into the program.
North Paseo Building (NPB 5.140), Main CampusAt this memorable celebration, UTSA graduates will be introduced one-by-one to cross the stage and accept their doctoral degrees.
Arts Building Recital Hall, Main CampusRoadrunner Walk is an event for graduating students to have a memorable walk on campus to celebrate an important milestone and their achievements. Graduates will walk along the Paseo while being celebrated by the UTSA community, friends, and family members.
Student Union Paseo, Main CampusCelebrate the accomplishments of College of Education and Human Development, College for Health, Community and Policy, College of Sciences and University College.
Alamodome, 100 Montana St.Celebrate the accomplishments of Alvarez College of Business, College of Liberal and Fine Arts and Klesse College of Engineering and Integrated Design.
Alamodome, 100 Montana St.
