Clarksville, TN – As the Austin Peay State University (APSU) Employee Council (AAEC) enters its third year following its re-establishment in the summer of 2020, its leaders are striving to expand the organization’s vibrancy and reach.
In the coming year, the organization will focus on recruiting and retaining black faculty and staff and connecting with black-owned businesses in the community.
“Some of what we want to do next year is to improve programming around community outreach — find ways to bridge relationships with the APSU black community and the black community outside of APSU,” said Dr. Paula White, assistant professor in the Department. of Languages and Literature and the incoming vice-chairman of the AAEC. “We want to add visibility to our program and businesses in the community because we are an interconnected network.
“At the same time, we want to attract students – and potential students -,” she added.
A space of community and belonging
One way AAEC leaders hope to achieve more visibility and engagement is by prioritizing (as COVID allows) more monthly meetings and events.
“One of the goals of the AAEC is to provide community and belonging to Black faculty and staff,” White said. “We hope that being more visible and engaged in the campus community will improve and grow our organization, while also inspiring people to come out, have fun and network.”
This begins with the executive board, which will meet for the “last Friday” each month in a communal space, while also supporting a black-owned business or organization through catering, retail or other services. .
The AAEC is also planning a “Fall Semester Commencement” for current, former and prospective members. This meet-and-greet event is at 4pm on Friday, August 12, at the Office of Equity, Access and Inclusion, 416 College Street.
“We look forward to welcoming new black faculty and staff to APSU and strengthening ties with our current colleagues,” White said.
A local black-owned Clarksville business will provide catering and refreshments.
A space of unity and support
AAEC was re-established in the summer of 2020 following the deaths of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and George Floyd with a mission to promote unity and support among faculty, staff and students of color.
The organization quickly outlined its mission: Increase communication and advocate for equity, access, inclusion, opportunity, and social justice—challenging racism—within the University, with African American alumni, and the broader African American community.
In its first year, the organization attracted more than 75 members by organizing professional, academic, enrichment and social programs and establishing two scholarship funds.
White was one of the new faculty who joined during his freshman year. And after attending a writing conference organized by the AAEC, she joined the organization’s executive board. She quickly made friends and grew professionally through AAEC.
“I was excited that this kind of organization existed on campus, especially coming from a predominantly white campus that didn’t have these opportunities,” she said last year. “I was happy that Austin Peay State University was doing something different. It made me feel more connected to the University because there was a space for me.”
Making connections on and off campus
The organization’s work over the first two years touched on what AAEC is focusing on this year.
“We used that event to support a black-owned business, something AAEC is passionate about,” White said. “The workshop not only connected with Black faculty on campus, but allowed us to make connections off campus.”
Other recent examples of AAEC’s work include February’s panel discussion — “#BlackInTheIvory” — about black professors navigating a predominantly white institution and May’s beloved Community Writing Retreat that provided a space focused on creative and scientific activities.
AAEC members also want to support Black-led organizations and spaces on campus, whether they are faculty, staff, or student-run. A good example of this was last fall’s AAEC welcome mixer at the Wilbur N. Daniel African American Cultural Center on campus.
“We wanted people to know that this space is a place where faculty and students feel comfortable hosting events and classes,” White said. “This year, we hope to have more programming and formulate ideas for expanding those experiences.”
This year’s executive board
The future members of the executive board for this academic year are:
- Chair: David Davenport, director of University Recreation.
- deputy: Dr. Paula White, Assistant Professor, Department of Languages and Literatures.
- secretariat: Dr. Monique Freemon, Assistant Professor, Department of Communication.
- treasurer: Kim Morrow, director of Residence Life.
- parliamentary: Sheila Bryant, director-Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action, Americans with Disabilities Act coordinator, Title IX deputy coordinator.
- Chairman of the Committee on the Constitution and by-laws: Dr. James Thompson, Assistant Professor, Eriksson College of Education.
- Chairman of the Faculty Affairs Committee: Dr. Eboné Amos, Assistant Professor, African American Studies.
- Chairman of the Staff Affairs Committee: Lindsy Perry, coordinator, Fraternity/Sorority Affairs.
- Chairman of the Student Affairs Committee: Harold Wallace III, director, Wilbur N. Daniel African American Cultural Center.
- Chairman of the Fundraising Committee: Dr. Jalesa Parks, Assistant Professor, Eriksson College of Education.
Ex officio members: LaNeeça Williams, chief diversity officer and Title IX coordinator; JaCenda D. Robinson, assistant vice president and chief human resources officer; Dannelle Whiteside, vice president of Legal Affairs and Corporate Strategy.
