UC Launches UC Black Faculty Association

A newly established University of Cincinnati Black Faculty Association  will become a formal university organization with permanent funding  and support from President Santa J. Ono and Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost Beverly Davenport.

The formation of the Black Faculty Association has helped unify and enhance the morale of black faculty across campus, according to its co-chair James Mack, associate professor of chemistry and assistant chair of the chemistry department who will begin a new post as associate dean of the Graduate School effective June 15.

“Our organization has had a chance to really examine the unique challenges that face black faculty at the university and develop strategies to alleviate these hurdles,” Mack said. “The support we have received from the president, provost, deans faculty and UC LEAF has been tremendous in helping to create a successful environment for black faculty.  We look forward to continuing the partnership with the president and provost to help bring UC into its third century.”

In a proposal from the group, submitted by steering committee members Mack, Karen Bankston, Littisha Bates and Charles Collins, with ideas originating from the late Terry Kershaw,  the group outlined a sustainability plan for the recruitment and retention of black faculty at UC.  Citing the Creating Our Third Century vision for UC, the group wants to develop programs and build research networks for UC’s black faculty and create an environment where UC is seen as a first-choice destination for black faculty and their families. The group also wants to remove roadblocks that limit the productivity of black faculty at UC.

The new organization will work with Associate Provost for Faculty Development and Diversity Damion Waymer, who directs the Strategic Hiring Opportunity Program in the Office of the Provost. This program is designed to recruit and retain a more diverse faculty across UC's campuses.  Chief Diversity Officer Bleuzette Marshall will partner with the Office of the Provost to support the initiatives of the UC Black Faculty Association.

“The University of Cincinnati is working diligently to diversify its faculty, and this new organization will be essential in the success of that effort,” said President Ono.

Provost Davenport added, "This organization provides us with a unified voice and a strategic set of actions that will enhance our on-going efforts to recruit, retain and promote black faculty."

Examples of activities to be supported by the new organization’s permanent funding include faculty development seminars to increase grant applications and improve teaching effectiveness; symposia to share research interests and explore potential research collaborations; and opportunities that leverage the skills and interests of existing faculty to provide networking, mentoring and support for recruitment, retention, tenure and promotion.