Higher Education MUST Do Better Now

Posted byDr. Bree E. CookPosted inAcademic, Higher education, MentoringTags:, , , , , , ,

Until about 12 years ago, I never thought I would work in a College or University, now I can’t imagine leaving higher education! Unfortunately, this is not the same reality for an increasing contingent of Black faculty. When I first started in higher education, it was as a contingent faculty aka adjunct faculty. I taught as many classes as they let me, and I valued the flexibility, as my child was young and I was a single-parent with an active son. I initially stayed in higher education, after securing a staff position initially, because of the flexibility, collegial environment (I was used to being the only or one of the only doctoral level employees in my former professional life), and promotion opportunities. As I moved back into a faculty role, albeit at a non-tenure track Institution, I fell in love with working with students. Teaching, supporting, encouraging and mentoring students became my life and one of my professional goals. As I moved into leadership positions, I became increasingly more aware of the stark differences BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, & People of Color) with how we are and the resources and support that was lacking during the promotion process. I want to be part of the change needed. I realize why I am HERE, in higher education. To provide representation, support and a voice for those Black and Brown faculty and staff, the under-represented, the minority.

What saddens me is the continued mistreatment of Black women and men in higher education, particularly faculty positions. I recently read an article (https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2021/05/03/multiple-black-professors-have-resigned-recent-years-over-racism) and then saw a social media post from a friend, stating that she was leaving her tenured faculty position at a well known university, due to lack of support and incidences of racism. My heart breaks, for all of us, who continue to experience racism in our places of employment.

We are NEEDED! Representation Matters. We (Black women and men in the academe) should not feel the need to LEAVE these coveted positions due to racism experienced, especially when so few of us are allowed to be in them! I recently heard a statistic about a California university that they had over 900 tenured faculty, but less than 50 of those were Black/AA! That is LESS than 1%. THIS is unacceptable on all levels. So not only do we need to address the systemic and institutional racism that prevents us from promoting/securing tenured or permanent f/t faculty positions, we need to work hard to support and retain them. ALL of this needs to happen NOW.

I work hard in my position to provide support and mentorship to all of our F/T and adjunct faculty, especially our Black faculty. I honor my ancestors by doing this. This is one of the most important reasons I stay in higher education and press forward! Black/AA/BIPOC Students need to SEE and LEARN from us. White students ALSO need to SEE and LEARN from us. #diversitymatters

-Dr. Bree

Additional articles on this topic:

Diverse Issues in High Education https://diverseeducation.com/article/127139/

Forbes https://www.forbes.com/sites/jacquelyncorley/2020/06/27/where-are-the-women-of-color-in-academia/?sh=1c74a25d6401

The Hechinger Report https://hechingerreport.org/opinion-when-institutions-fail-black-women-in-academia/

The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/education/2019/feb/05/talented-women-of-colour-are-blocked-why-are-there-so-few-black-female-professors

Published by Dr. Bree E. Cook

Dr. Bree (Davis) Cook began her appointment as Vice President in May 2018. In this role Dr. Cook serves as the College’s Chief Academic Officer and as the Accreditation Liaison Officer. In her most recent position she served as associate dean of POC's School of Cultural & Family Psychology (SCFP). Dr. Cook has also held positions as the academic coordinator, assistant professor and clinical training coordinator in the SCFP. Prior to coming into higher education, Dr. Cook spent over 15 years in leadership and management positions in non-profits, serving as Family Based Services Director, Eden Dual Diagnosis Program Manager & IRB Chair and as a Staff Psychologist at the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Dr. Cook holds a Psy.D. and master degree in Clinical Psychology with a concentration in Multicultural & Community from the California School of Professional Psychology at Alliant International University, and baccalaureate degree from University of California San Diego. She is also a Certified Family Life educator (CFLE). Dr. Cook has presented over 25 papers, seminars and workshops at a number of professional conferences such as, WASC Academic Resource Conference, Race, Ethnicity and Place Conference, National Association of African American Studies & Affiliates International Conference. She is a member of the Society for Community Research and Action (Division 27 of the American Psychological Association), National Association of African American Studies and the National Council of Family Relations.

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