Mission
SF's Mission Statement: In keeping with our values and goals, Santa Fe College, a comprehensive public institution of higher education serving North Central Florida and beyond, adds value to the lives of our students and enriches our community through excellence in teaching and learning, innovative educational programs and student services, and community leadership and service.
SF-ABFS Mission Statement: To Provide a Community of camaraderie and support among Black faculty and staff at Santa Fe College, while Promoting Cooperation and Presenting Opportunities for Collaboration among its members.
Vision
Our vision is to benefit the membership by providing a space that allows members to feel supported and build a rapport with other Black professionals within the institution. We also see this as a wonderful avenue to aid the college in being more inclusive and diverse, a path that would strengthen the college in being an employer of choice as outlined in the College's Strategic Plan.(Opens in new window)
Origin/History
Leaders of Santa Fe College, along with the leaders of the University of Florida, UF Health, Alachua County Public Schools, the Gainesville Area Chamber of Commerce, and the City of Gainesville commissioned a report focused on persistent issues related to racial inequities in Alachua County (UF Bureau of Economic and Business Research, 2018). Data show stark differences between the lives of Whites and four minority groups: Blacks, Hispanics, Asians, and Other. It prompted Santa Fe College to examine its role in the disparity and to examine whether or not the institution has adequate representation among African Americans both as faculty members and students.
According to the Wednesday Message (1/25/2018), a weekly college update provided by the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Edward Bonahue, “African Americans are 20% of the population of Alachua County, but only 16% of [Santa Fe College’s] student body. While 16% of our students are Black, only 7% of our full-time faculty are. And while our overall IPEDS graduation rate is usually between 60-70%, our completion rate for African-American students is significantly lower.” Several individual members from the college community responded. While many were unsurprised by the findings, they were interested in knowing the tangible ways in which the administration planned to attack these disparities.
To that end, Dr. Bonahue invited Black (inclusive of all groups of African descent) faculty and staff to have a round-table discussion on March 15th. The meeting was well attended and provided a platform for Black faculty and staff to address concerns ranging from a lack of diversity among faculty to ways to attract and retain Black faculty and staff. The need for more meetings among the group was discussed as well. To begin the process of addressing some of the concerns raised in March, Dr. Bonahue and Dr. Naima Brown, Vice President for Student Affairs, hosted an End-of-Semester Lunch on May 7th for Black faculty and staff. Many topics were discussed during the lunch one of them being that many would appreciate having an organization that fosters a sense of community among Black faculty and staff.
Researching institutions of higher education in the state revealed several universities: University of Florida, University of South Florida, University of Central Florida, and Florida State University have well established associations for their minority faculty and staff. The organizations vary in structure (e.g., executive boards, constitutions, and bylaws, dues), and meeting times (e.g., monthly), but their purpose is similar: to collectively support Black faculty and staff at their various institutions.
In organizing an Association of Black Faculty and Staff at Santa Fe College, we recognize the need to have a modest start with the goal of developing into a more sophisticated Association as the organization grows and gains support among its members.
Mission History
By producing a mission statement, we as a group, establish ourselves as an entity with a purpose and goals. Also, this mission statement sets expectations of the membership and prospective members. Supporting a “community of camaraderie” among Black faculty and staff in an organization where they are underrepresented shows (1) the institution values their presence of those who are there and (2) indicates to prospective hires and students that there is a growing or established critical mass. A critical mass that also involves cooperation and collaboration leads to productivity and greater commitment to the organization (i.e., the Association and Santa Fe College). Further, research has shown that professional identity and racial identity development are both important to career satisfaction and satisfaction–thus retention–are improved when the racial climate is viewed favorably (Helms & Piper, 1994).
Dr. Tyran Butler, Director of the Education Programs Department and Dr. Courtney Taylor, Associate Professor of History, are willing to support the establishment of the association by:
- Creating a listserv of Association members
- Requesting space on Santa Fe College’s website, to document the existence of the Association
- Organizing a welcome-back breakfast at the beginning of the Fall 2018 and Spring 2019 terms.
- Organizing an end-of-year faculty and staff luncheon at the end of the spring 2019 term.
- Organizing a mid-term mixer (if there is interest).
- Developing a collaborative Microsoft Teams workspace as a communication tool.
Events
Welcome-Back Breakfast
End-of-Year Faculty and Staff Luncheon
Mid-term Mixer
Commitment
- To serve as a safe place to discuss issues unique to the black professional experience due to historical and institutional racism;
- To meet each semester to establish a rapport among members while building inter-institutional relationships in a relaxed, supportive environment;
- To mentor new faculty and staff;
- To share resources/services and establish partnerships that will aid members, students, and the college community;
- To encourage recruitment and retention of black faculty and staff.