As part of the University Libraries’ programming in honor of Black History Month, Dr. Jarvis Watson, Assistant Dean for Multicultural Affairs, gave a talk entitled, “‘Black Minds Matter’: Engaging, Educating, and Empowering our Black Students.” His talk discussed the theory and practice which inform the ways in which faculty and staff engage with students of color on college campuses, with an emphasis on promoting engagement, empowerment, retention, and student success. The event was well attended by current and former SBU students, faculty, and staff, as well as by colleagues from Suffolk County Community College and a local high school. The discussion following Dr. Watson’s talk blended lived experience with future directions, leading to a fascinating conversation with important implications for understanding how students of color experience the university, and how this experience can be improved and expanded. The University Libraries are very grateful to Dr. Watson for facilitating this crucial conversation.
