Junior, senior, and graduate black women enrolled in computer science or a technology-related degree or a graduate program within the College of Math and Science with financial need may be eligible for a new scholarship, The NEXT IT GIRL in Memory of Karen Vaughn Endowed Scholarship.

Funded by alumnus Napiya Nubuya ’14 and her organization, The NEXT IT GIRL, the scholarship recognizes the efforts of the late Karen Vaughn, who helped start the organization.

While at ÎçÒ¹¿ì²¥, Nubuya was inspired by Dr. Valerie Sessions, current director of graduate study in computer science, and the only female computer faculty member while Nubuya was in college. Sessions remains one of Nubuya’s most valued mentors in the field of computer science. Entering the workforce, Nubuya continued to see a need for women and people of color in the technical world. 

These experiences led her to form The NEXT IT GIRL organization and establish a scholarship at ÎçÒ¹¿ì²¥.

To read more about why Nubuya established The Next IT Girl, read charlestonsouthern.edu/computer-science-graduate-comes-full-circle/

Twenty-three professionals walked the stage of Lightsey Chapel on Saturday to be hooded and become the first doctoral graduates of ÎçÒ¹¿ì²¥ Southern University. The Doctor of Education (EdD) in leadership launched in January 2019 and is designed to provide current and aspiring leaders from a variety of disciplines the opportunity to attain a doctoral degree while also balancing a career. 

Though credentials and leadership experience were a large part of their qualification for the program, Dr. Robert Doan said one trait stood out. “Over the three years of the program, we quickly learned being amazing leaders are their second-best quality,� Doan, assistant dean for the College of Education and interim chair of the EdD program, explained. “All of them have incredibly large hearts who love and care for each other.�

Grit was another trait Doan said shined through with this cohort, especially completing most of their work during a global pandemic. “Getting a doctoral degree is extremely difficult. When ÎçÒ¹¿ì²¥ closed and we needed to conduct classes online, this cohort was halfway through their Quantitative Statistics course…now they had to learn the material through Zoom. They persisted by forming study groups.â€�

He added that each student had every reason to take a break or stop the program, but they persisted. “The cohort pulled together and pushed forward. My favorite cohort memory is watching the cohort support each other through comprehensive exams and the dissertation process. I cannot recall one dissertation defense that did not include a cohort member in the audience. I am so proud the students relied on their relationship with God and cohort members to finish.â€�

The first graduation of its kind at ÎçÒ¹¿ì²¥ Southern, the new alumni represent a diverse group in every sense of the word. The first cohort of students has careers in fields such as education, healthcare, and business. Ten of the 23 are Black women. According to the National Science Foundation (2019), only  are earned by Black women.

Now a two-time alumna of ÎçÒ¹¿ì²¥, Priscilla Johnson ’06, ’21 EdD said this statistic blows her away. “I think there was a mutual understanding amongst us without having to articulate it,â€� Johnson said. “Representation matters, and I’m glad to be part of history here at ÎçÒ¹¿ì²¥ Southern University.â€�

Johnson currently serves as assistant principal of Joseph R. Pye Elementary School in Dorchester District Two. In the field of education, she has always considered herself a lifelong learner and knew a terminal degree would lead to a myriad of opportunities. All signs pointed to ÎçÒ¹¿ì²¥. 

Being a part of the first doctoral cohort is not lost on Johnson. “Oh my goodness! Each time I think about it, I’m moved to tears. We were trusted to be pioneers for a program that will exist for years to come. It’s groundbreaking, and I’m humbled.�

Like many doctoral-level students, Johnson’s passion was demonstrated in her research. For her, it’s minority students having a voice in majority-centered systems. For others, topics ranged from education to healthcare.

“To see a group of resilient students meet their lifelong goal of achieving a doctorate was inspiring,� said Dr. Julie Fernandez, dean of the College of Education. “I am proud of this diverse group of leaders who will change the world with their faith and knowledge of their field.�

Fernandez added that she is excited for what the future will bring to this program. “We look forward to teaching more future leaders who want to learn best leadership practices and create research that will impact the future of South Carolina and beyond.�

Listed below are the newest ÎçÒ¹¿ì²¥ Southern alumni and the first doctoral graduates for the university, along with their dissertation title. Twelve are previous alumni, having attained a bachelor’s and/or master’s degree from ÎçÒ¹¿ì²¥ as well.

• Danielle Moreau ’16 MEd – Effective Strategies for Teaching Intercultural Communicative Competence

• April C. Sanders ’12, ’16 MEd – Academic Performance of Local vs. State Identified Female Gifted Students in South Carolina

• Gary M. Seaboldt ’14 MEd – Elementary Music Teachers’ Perspectives of Culturally Responsive Teaching

• Amanda Snipe – Factors Influencing Minority Teacher Retention Decisions in Two South Carolina Lowcountry School Districts

• Donna Timko – The Impact of Secondary Coursework on the Post-Secondary Academic Performance of First-Year Nursing Students

• Shene White ’10 MEd – Impact of Selected Reading Intervention Strategies on State-Required Reading Assessments

• Micah Behrens – Factors Associated with Teachers’ Decision Making and Response to Intervention Tier 1 Implementation

• Courtney Creech – The Effects of the 4K Child Development Program on School Readiness

• Quencenia Dantzler – Systems Thinking for Online Education

• Priscilla Johnson ’06 – Intervention Before Identification: An Analysis of Culturally Response Teacher Self-Efficacy and Teacher Preparedness to Reduce Disproportion of Black Males in Special Education

• Erica Taylor – A Study to Understand the Barriers Encountered by African American Women Education Superintendents in South Carolina

• Angel Tucker ’01 – Digesting Diversity: Integrating Foodways to Create a Culturally Relevant Education in Secondary Schools

• Sherry Dial ’15 MSN – Is Web-Based Learning Effective in Preparing the Nursing Graduate to Meet Competency Objectives in The Nursing Profession: Faculties’ Perception

• Donald Lauer ’07, ’09 MBA – GRIT: A Comparison of Military Versus Non-Military Students at A Private Christian University

• Delane Neuroth – Tomorrow’s National Security: A Study on The Relationship Between Screen Time and The Health Motivation of College-Aged Youth at A Military Institution

• Jeffrey Payne ’08 – Crisis in the Hallways: A Qualitative Study of Mental Health Crisis Intervention Training for School Resource Officers

• Ashleigh Wojslawowicz ’10, ’13 MS – Recruiting Amidst Crisis: Exploring Police Recruit Motivations in A Post-Ferguson Era

• Keeley Jarrett ’07, ’11 MEd – Preferred Principal Leadership Styles Conducive to Teacher Retention

• Paula M. Browne – A Study of Soft Skills Acquisition of High School Students as Perceived by School Counselors

• Arthea Simmons – The Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Student Learning in South Carolina Rural Schools: An Examination of Inequalities

• Tammy Smith-Thompson – Caring for the Care Teams: Nurses Thriving and Innovating by Design

• Jerome Davis – The Impact of Employee Wellness Programs on Student Achievement in Title 1 Middle Schools in the Southeast Region of the United States

• Mervin Jenkins ’01 MEd – The Effect of Hip-Hop Pedagogy on the Teacher-Student Relationship, Particularly of Black Boys 

African American students make up approximately  of K-12 public school enrollment in the United States, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics. Even fewer are the available African American teachers in public schools. Although South Carolina’s African American K-12 students make up almost 50% of the public classroom, less than 20 percent of teachers in the state are minorities and less than 1% are African American males. In an attempt to resolve racial inequality and increase the number of minority male teachers in South Carolina, ÎçÒ¹¿ì²¥ Southern University has implemented the  program.

The Call Me MISTER (Mentors Instructing Students Toward Effective Role Models) program was founded at Clemson University, originally partnering with three historically black institutions: Benedict College, Claflin University and Morris College. The program seeks to recruit future male teachers with broad, diverse backgrounds who want to serve as role models to African American K-12 students in lower-performing elementary schools. Nine institutions around the U.S. have participated in the program, while 21 colleges and universities across South Carolina have continued this goal of increasing Black male teachers for disadvantaged students.

As one of those participating universities, ÎçÒ¹¿ì²¥ Southern began the Call Me MISTER program in fall 2020. The former program director of Call Me MISTER, William Ross, welcomed ÎçÒ¹¿ì²¥â€™s first cohort in its fall opening, and an additional cohort of five MISTERs will be named by summer for the fall 2021 cohort.

“ÎçÒ¹¿ì²¥ offers their student participants with this high academic opportunity to teach and serve the socioeconomically disadvantaged and educationally at-risk communities within local K-12 public schools,â€� said Ross.

MISTERs consist of any minority male student enrolled in a K-8 education major (early childhood, physical education and special education). As a MISTER at ÎçÒ¹¿ì²¥, you may qualify for up to $10,000 in scholarships per semester. Through the program, students receive mentors, professional development and internship opportunities that involve mentoring children of various ages.

To apply for the program, complete the Call Me Mister  at the MISTERs website. For more information, students can contact Princeton McBride at pmcbride@csuniv.edu.

Emma Slaven is a senior English writing major and an intern for Marketing & Communication.

Black History Month may be drawing to a close, but there are exciting plans on the horizon for diversity programming at ÎçÒ¹¿ì²¥ Southern University. The Office of Diversity has partnered with many areas of campus to provide resources that educate on pains of the past, examine issues of the present, and emphasize opportunities for the future in our community and nation.  

In recent months, the Diversity office has provided forums that discussed current events and its effects on people of color on our campus, as well as events that encourage unity and racial equity. According to the Office of Diversity, there are many groups on campus who have been instrumental in helping further diversity initiatives for ÎçÒ¹¿ì²¥, including the African American Society, We Stand with our Black Student Athletes, ÎçÒ¹¿ì²¥ Athletics, Student Life, the ÎçÒ¹¿ì²¥ Board of Trustees and senior administration. 

“Barriers that exist between race are largely due to fear—fear of talking about it. The Office of Diversity’s goal is to provide the insight and tools to embrace and explore anxious feelings, have fruitful conversations that bring positive change in our community, and join together as a campus and as a body of believers united in Christ,â€� said Rev. Tim Grant, ÎçÒ¹¿ì²¥â€™s diversity officer and assistant dean of student organizations. â€œBeing a Christian university, it is vitally important that we stick to the prescription given to us by Jesus Christ on how to love and treat everyone fairly.â€� 

Grant shared that °ä³§±«â€™s&²Ô²ú²õ±è;diversity numbers reflect the university’s effort in providing opportunities for Black students seeking a college degree from a Christ-centered and academically challenging environment.  

ÎçÒ¹¿ì²¥ is one of the most diverse higher education institutions in the state of South Carolina, with 34.1% of our student body representing people of color. The university also demonstrates a majority female population at 64%. 

Ethnic diversity at Council for Christian Colleges & Universities (CCCU) institutions in the United States has trended upward according to data from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). The data states that overall student diversity on campuses had an average of 30.9% in 2018-19, up from 16.6% in 2003-04. In the last five years alone, campuses have seen an increase of 4.4% diversity. 

ÎçÒ¹¿ì²¥’s past and continued partnerships that further diversity programming include: sponsorship of YWCA’s MLK Summit each January, SPAWAR tech camp partnership targeting minority youth, and Dream Girls Conference. ÎçÒ¹¿ì²¥ is also a member of the Black History Intercollegiate Consortium, which includes the College of ÎçÒ¹¿ì²¥, The Citadel, Medical University of South Carolina, and Trident Technical College. Grant serves as president of the consortium. 

The “We Choose Loveâ€� Movement 

Last summer, the ÎçÒ¹¿ì²¥ football ministry began a movement called We Choose Love, presenting the opportunity to put words into action and confronting injustices targeting people of color. Head Football Coach Autry Denson said that We Choose Love is set apart from other movements by its Christ-centered mission, the inclusiveness of teammates, and intentionality regarding loving those who have different beliefs or values.  

In a statement last year, the football team explained the movement they hope reaches further than our campus. â€œOur mission is to be intentional about showing the love of Christ by how we treat one another for the purpose of contributing to a legacy of individuals who intentionally choose to love others as opposed to hate. Our teammates are those who are also fed up with divisiveness, discrimination, bigotry, and injustices of any kind. We will do this by imitating the greatest leader to ever live, Jesus Christ, and choose to love unconditionally as He does.â€� 

After last summer’s injustices and violence toward Black males and females, student-athletes like women’s soccer player Kayla Robinson saw a need for a student-led organization that educated and raised awareness about Black culture on campus. She said that she hopes to help the ÎçÒ¹¿ì²¥ Family understand the adversity that still exists in our community.

“I felt that our Black student-athletes had a lot to voice and ideas for making our community realize that ÎçÒ¹¿ì²¥ cares about these tragedies and wants to make a change–even if it’s only a small one,” Robinson said. Though limited due to the pandemic, the organization has successfully led a few events this year, including a litter clean up in the Rosemont neighborhood as well as a T-shirt fundraiser for a local charity.

The Office of Diversity and ÎçÒ¹¿ì²¥ Athletics also hosted several joint events this year, including a prayer walk on National Diversity Day and a panel dialogue with North ÎçÒ¹¿ì²¥ Police Department and Chief Reggie Burgess. We Choose Love shirts and hoodies are available in the for purchase to support the movement.  

Moving Forward 

To close out Black History Month, the Diversity office partnered with The Career Center to offer two intriguing virtual events: one panel discusses how to close the gap in healthcare careers for minorities while the other invites successful Black alumni to share their career stories with current students. 

The Career Center’s Dr. Nina Grant, former assistant dean and director, said she is excited to provide students with an opportunity to talk with successful business professionals about their career paths and discuss how they navigated and overcame barriers that are common for many people of color.  

“Having a diverse workforce is essential, and we want our students of color to know that there is representation in various career fields. It is important that we reflect and celebrate the history, contributions, and successes of minorities and use these opportunities as a platform for learning, growth and collaboration,â€� she said. “We believe their stories will help uplift and inspire students to stay the course, be encouraged about possibilities for the future, and thrive in a professional environment.â€�  

The Diversity office will continue its work in sharing the work of diversity from a biblical worldview, including inclusive teaching and learning strategies, antiracism education and student support practices.  

One immediate upcoming change will be seen at 2021 Commencement. 

“Last year, President Costin met with Black student organizations on campus and arranged for them to showcase their pride in community, culture and school through the wearing of stoles at graduation,â€� Grant said. “The administration’s showing of support to our students of color on campus is evident of our university’s commitment to continuous improvement in areas of diversity. This is one exciting example that we’ll all get to enjoy at commencement ceremonies moving forward.â€� 

The Office of Diversity also plans to release a special T-shirt in the coming weeks that highlights the university’s commitment to love and fairness for Black lives. All proceeds from the sales will go to a new minority scholarship fund.  

Connect with the Office of Diversity at charlestonsouthern.edu/diversity or diversity@csuniv.edu. For additional resources on antiracism education, Christian faith and diversity, and allyship and advocacy, CCCU offers a gamut of information at .  

The celebration of Black History in America has changed drastically over the past century. In 1926, only half a century after the 13th Amendment abolished U.S. slavery, Dr. Carter G. Woodson coined the second week of February as . The week lines up with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass—one a presidential abolitionist activist, the other an escaped slave. Not even 50 years ago, President Gerald Ford extended to the entire month of February in 1976, encouraging the public to “honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.� Every president thereafter, some more than others, has upheld the celebration of Black History Month as a catalyst to acknowledge the struggles and achievements that African Americans have faced throughout history.

Black History Month is a time to reflect on the struggles of the past and present. In ÎçÒ¹¿ì²¥, the city’s greatest attributes stem from its cultural celebrations and the pieces of Black History that still stand today. According to Tim Grant, assistant dean of student organizations and the university’s diversity officer, studying the history of African American progression and achievement helps shape a better tomorrow. 

“ÎçÒ¹¿ì²¥ has a diverse community of 34.1% people of color, and 20% of that is African American,â€� said Grant. “[The Diversity Council] makes sure we are a culturally aware campus.â€�

°ä³§±«â€™s&²Ô²ú²õ±è;Diversity Council includes a variety of faculty, staff, and students who have shown leadership and passion for the diversity efforts on campus. They work together in planning events to ensure that the university does everything it can to make all students feel included and celebrated while supporting their college success. The Council celebrates its students through sponsoring various events and movements. The Cultural Diversity Committee is under the umbrella of the Council and is composed of faculty and staff committed to implement programs that highlight minority cultures on campus.

“The Cultural Diversity Committee does a great job of celebrating the culture of our students,â€� said Grant. In addition to Black History Month, ÎçÒ¹¿ì²¥ also celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month and Women’s History Month. As partners of the , ÎçÒ¹¿ì²¥ Southern also partners with other universities each January to honor Martin Luther King Jr. 

From February 1 – 5, the Diversity Council is hosting a Black History Month Walk-Thru. The exhibit’s purpose is to excite the campus about cultural awareness, featuring a real-life walk through of Black History. Politicians such as former President Barack Obama and new Vice President Kamala Harris will be on display, sharing their impact on the culture and the changes they have made in the world. The exhibit will also include the iron work of ÎçÒ¹¿ì²¥â€™s own Phillip Simmons, as well as the history of sweetgrass basketmaking. The event will be in the new student center conference room, formerly the President’s Dining Room, available for all students and staff to enjoy from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. all week long.

Besides focusing on Black History, ÎçÒ¹¿ì²¥â€™s Diversity Council also encourages students to focus on how they can honor Black futures. The Council recently hosted a diversity dinner table talk with the athletic department to gather ideas on how to make students feel more welcome and appreciated. 

In light of recent events in the United States, Grant said the university has made a point to show support for the Black community on campus and off by sharing the message of “We choose loveâ€� under the biblical directive by Jesus himself in Matthew 22:39. 

“ÎçÒ¹¿ì²¥ does not tolerate racism or violence of any kind. We love our neighbors as ourselves and we promote unity on this campus,â€� Grant added.

As diversity officer, Grant encourages students to let him know of any problems or recommend any ideas they have to further spread cultural awareness and positivity. 

“It’s not a difference between white and black; it’s about coming together from all backgrounds, cultures, ages, and experiences to learn and celebrate differences rather than pretending they aren’t there,â€� Grant said. “We’ve come a long way in the almost four years that I’ve been the diversity officer, but we still have a way to go.â€� 

Black History is more than simply recognizing the past. While it is important to be aware of the long and painful African American experience over the last 400 years, it should also be an ongoing celebration of the triumphs. Black History Month at ÎçÒ¹¿ì²¥ Southern University is all about accepting and appreciating different cultures. God calls His people to gather “a great multitude which no one could number, all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb…â€� (Rev 7:9). 

Emma Slaven is a senior English writing major and an intern for Marketing & Communication.

What has ÎçÒ¹¿ì²¥ done so far to promote diversity and equity?  

ÎçÒ¹¿ì²¥ is blessed to have  38.5% people of color  (22% African American) represented in our student body. The  Doctor of Education in leadership program, one of our newest additions at ÎçÒ¹¿ì²¥,  specifically  includes 55.6% people of color—representing areas of education, healthcare and business—and is majority African American and female.  

The    provides development opportunities for students, faculty and staff and leads diversity training during freshman orientation as well as for all residence life staff. Our student-led African American Society is an integral part of our campus. They have won the student life award multiple times, including this year, for their work in providing multicultural awareness and opportunities for all ÎçÒ¹¿ì²¥ students to learn more about African American history, culture and current events. ÎçÒ¹¿ì²¥ also holds various exciting events annually, such as CultureFest, where the campus learns about food, dance, music and traditions from various countries and regions worldwide. 

ÎçÒ¹¿ì²¥â€™s commitment to  is biblically informed, and we are currently reviewing our diversity practices to ensure that our campus community feels supported and safe. 

What does ÎçÒ¹¿ì²¥ commit to do moving forward? 

We will listen. We will learn. We will act. 

°ä³§±«â€™s&²Ô²ú²õ±è;Diversity Office has an action plan with four focus areas: campus climate; recruitment, retention, graduation, and satisfaction of students from underrepresented populations; recruitment and retention of faculty and staff from underrepresented populations; and, teaching, learning, and professional development. We consider the blessing of our great diversity as an obligation to ensure diversity, equity and inclusion are not just words but a way of life on our campus and in our community. 

The plan highlights the following action items: 

1. Develop and build on partnerships with area school districts, including implementing a Discovery Day for area students in Title I schools. 
2. Develop and implement an early alert process that provides first generation college and freshman students guidance in using campus resources such as internships, counseling, campus ministries, career placement, etc. 
3. Plan fall 2020 event that promotes unity around campus and will include prayer and a moment of silence for George Floyd and the many others who died tragically due to racist acts.  
4. Host a virtual town hall, “Ending Racial Injustice,� led by the Diversity Office and the African American Society. 
5. Host a series of listening sessions this fall that offer a venue for students, faculty and staff to speak about race, injustice and change in a safe, respectful environment. 
6. Implement best practices regarding organizational structures and institutional approaches for the Diversity Office and campus Diversity Council (comprised of faculty, staff and students).  
7. Support Christian organizations and nonprofits in our community that fight systemic poverty and racism. 
8. Develop and implement implicit bias training campuswide for all students, faculty and staff.  
9. Expand CultureFest celebration and events by celebrating cultures monthly and adding a National Diversity Day on ÎçÒ¹¿ì²¥â€™s campus. 

Bottom line?

ÎçÒ¹¿ì²¥ stands firm with our Savior Jesus Christ that black lives matter. Period.