Brandi Hutchins
Assistant Director for Ethnic Programs and Services
Program Coordinator for Darwin T. Turner Scholars Program
With the UC Community since 1997

Brandi Hutchins is constantly in contact with students through her position as Assistant Director for Ethnic Programs and Services as well as through her role as Program Coordinator for the Darwin T. Turner Scholars Program.  We recently sat down with Hutchins to ask her a few questions about her experiences on campus as a woman in leadership.

UCWC: How do you presently contribute to bringing generations of women together?

BH: The office allows me near constant contact with the students.  My work with the Turner Scholars mainly involves women and it also provides me a resource to promote unity and diversity on campus.

UCWC: What excites you about where women are academically on this campus?

BH: I’m very excited about where women are currently on campus.  Women are definitely visible in leadership here.  We have a woman for president, women directors; women are at the table in general. Women of color are represented as well.  We can always do better. I’d like to see more diversity in faculty more women of color, more women all together.

UCWC: How do you define feminism for yourself?

BH: My feminism is more self-determination.  I was told, “Don’t ever let a man tell you what you can’t do!”  Women can do anything we want to do.  This has been a clear cut mindset for me.  My role models, as a black woman, exhibited that “I can do anything!” attitude.  Personally, I don’t let people put down other people’s dreams, especially other women.

UCWC: How do you define your purpose as a woman?

BH: My purpose is grounded in the fact that I have been blessed so I have to share my blessing.  I’d do an injustice to my people if I didn’t tell them how I got to where I am today.  I am a black woman so that’s my target but I still work with all people, my door is open to all students.   I enjoy being an avenue for success in someone else’s life.  For me, it’s about sharing as I move forward.

UCWC: What historical woman would you model yourself after? 

BH: The first woman who comes to mind is Harriet Tubman. She is a symbol of what I hope to stand for.  I hope to incorporate her character, strength, and endurance into my own life. 

UCWC: What or whom is making you smile today?

BH: Knowing I have a support system that really gets behind me and supports me makes me smile.  My team really steps up to help.

UCWC: Anything else you would like to share?

BH: “Don’t get upset when you know you’ve done all you can do.”

The UC Women’s Center is proud to salute Brandi Hutchins’ contributions to campus