Jackson State University recently became the first historically Black college or university to host the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators Undergraduate Fellowship program Dungy Leadership Institute, a week-long initiative that develops future student-affairs professionals.
JSU Dean of Students Laquala Dixon, a NASPA member, said she was not sure why an HBCU had not previously hosted the program that has been in existence since 1919. However, once she knew, she thought it was time to bring the program to one of the “most cutting-edge” institutes in the country.
“As a professional who has over 15 years of experience in student affairs, it’s critical that we engage up-and-coming professionals to understand the holistic entities associated with student affairs,” Dixon told the Mississippi Free Press.
JSU Dean of Students Dr. Laquala Dixon; University of Maryland Assistant Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Dr. Nicole Mehta; and NASPA Director of Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion and Early Career Initiatives Ke’Ana Bradley comprised the planning team for the Dungy Leadership Institute while JSU Vice President of Student Affairs Dr. Fran’Cee Brown-McClure served on the faculty for the program. Photo by Charles A. Smith/University Communications
Dixon said HBCUs do not always have the same financial capacity as majority-white institutions to host conference-based programs and events. However, due to the vast differences in experience and culture at HBCUs, the dean of students felt it was critical for undergraduate students interested in student affairs to attain new experiences on a different type of campus.
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From June 23 to June 28 of this year, the college hosted 30 fellows from across the United States.
“Throughout the experience, the undergraduate students were able to learn about different components within student affairs,” Dixon said. “There are competency areas through NASPA, which includes personal and ethical foundations; values, philosophy and history; assessment, evaluation and research; law, policy and government; organizational and human resources; leadership; social justice and inclusion; student learning and development; technology, as well as advising and support.”
Dixon and NASPA staff also invited fellows to a night out on the town in Jackson to assist in dispelling some myths
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