Membership Spotlight
Dr. Rashida Willard
We would like to welcome our new Vice President of Inclusive Excellence, Dr. Rashida Willard. She has more than 20 years of experience in risk mitigation including more than seven years in higher education at one of the largest community colleges in the Pacific Northwest. Dr. Willard will be providing strategic leadership for and overall management of Ball State’s Office of INclusive Excellence. The unit is dedicated to the recruitment, retention, and celebration of diverse faculty, staff, and students who possess a variety of worldviews, identities, and experiences. It also assists Ball State’s colleges in integrating diversity, equity, and educational quality efforts into their mission and institutional operations.
Dr. Charles Payne
Dr. Charles Payne, the first Black faculty member to achieve tenure and professor rank at Ball State University, passed away in June. Dr. Payne worked in Secondary Education for 41 years. Dr. Payne started the University’s first multicultural education program. He and his wife, Dr. June Payne were very active in the local community and their local church. His legacy continues with multiple scholarship awards named in his honor, including the new Black Faculty & Staff Association’s Dr. Charles Payne Scholarship award that will be announced soon.
Read more about the passing of a legend.
Read more about Dr. Charles Payne an education pioneer.
Dr. Gabriel Tait
Dr. Gabriel Tait received the Distinguished Researcher Award in Journalism through the College of Communications, Information, and Media. He was also elected Basileus of Zeta Phi, the Indianapolis chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Congratulations Dr. Tait.
Gabrielle Lloyd
Congratulations to Gabrielle Lloyd on becoming the Interim Director of the Multicultural Center.
Dr. Maria Williams-Hawkins
Congratulations to Dr. Maria Williams-Hawkins for receiving the Outstanding Faculty Service Award in Media.