Week #4: Breaking Bread and Building Bonds: Delving into the Black Experience as Dean, Part I

Connecting with Campus Life in Week Four – The Campus Cafe Chronicles

Reflecting on my fourth week as the dean of our remarkable business school, I’m filled with gratitude and excitement. My journey has been inspiring, and I can’t wait to share some memorable moments with you.

One of the joys of my role is connecting with our vibrant campus community, and our campus cafe is where it all begins. In general, students complain about café food.  I’ve visited campuses nationwide. However, I genuinely appreciate my weekly café experience. It’s not just about the food; it’s about the people I meet.

This week held a special surprise – a chance encounter with a campus legend, Coach James Hilliard, an esteemed alumnus. We engaged in spirited banter about the best HBCU, and I must admit, I had to eat some humble pie as I learned more about our university’s rich history. Talking to Coach Hilliard is like conversing with an older brother; I know what to do as the little brother.  I shut up and listened.

But the encounters didn’t stop there. I met two athletic trainers and couldn’t resist bragging about my athletic background…as a ballroom dancer. They laughed well (as if me being an athlete was funny). I even had a delightful encounter with a student working in the athletic department while pursuing a master’s in entrepreneurship. When I introduced myself as the new dean, he seemed skeptical, and I couldn’t help but chuckle. It was a pleasant surprise to run into business students during my cafe visits, and that day was no exception. Unlike some sterile campuses, most students on campus are willing to interact with older adults. The café vibe is sometimes like being at my wife’s family reunion.  

The highlight of the week was meeting our Athletic Director, Donnita Drain-Rogers. Not only is she an impressive professional, but she also feels like family. Her journey from Oklahoma to Louisiana, coaching at Grambling University, and making history as the first woman to coach boys in Caddo Parish is genuinely inspiring. And let’s not forget, she’s the winningest women’s basketball coach at our university! It was an honor to connect with her.

As I returned to my office, I was back to the dean’s business.  I also had the pleasure of meeting our academic advisor for the business school, Bobby Friends, who plays a crucial role in guiding our first- and second-year students. Building relationships with various organizations and individuals is vital to success as a dean, and spending time with Bobby reinforced that belief.

But what truly warmed my heart was an encounter with Katelyn, a sophomore I met at the café earlier. She was courageous in following up and meeting with her dean. We had a delightful conversation. It reminded me of the importance of having an open-door policy and being willing to listen to our students. As an HBCU grad, I learned early on that students have much to teach us.

This week has been an incredible journey of connecting with the wonderful people around our campus. Together, we will delve deeper into the Black experience, creating an avenue for awareness, understanding, and shared growth. But this week’s journey is not over.  Stay tuned!

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