Black Students at Radford University are not Getting the Support They Need

Life at a Predominantly White Institution in the heart of Southwest Virginia is difficult for Black students in more ways than one, but the most pressing matter is “I cannot let my guard down or feel comfortable in the same ways I would if I were being taught by a professor that looked me.”

Ty Davis, president of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People at Radford University says, “with few black professors and resources for black students, it puts a lot of extra pressure on them when we come looking for help and guidance.”

A deeper dive into this issue shows that there is a large gap between black students and black professors, leaving the few black professors to help and guide students that “look like them.”

“We have been to councils and meetings and gone straight to the top, but we still talk till we are blue in the face and see no results on campus.” says Davis. According to the Electronic Fact Book, black student enrollment has decreased over the past three years and these students think that the lack of diverse faculty is the major cause.

According to the Institutional Research at Radford University, a ratio shows 4 black students to 1 black professor, compared to a ratio of four white students to three white professors. Faculty diversity does not match up with student population. This imbalance puts unnecessary pressure on the smaller number of black faculty.

In Radford University’s 2018-2023 strategic plan, implemented by Dr. Brian O. Hemphill, notes that they “are committed to a spirit of cooperation and collaboration, embracing and honoring the diversity of our community.” “But after Hemphill left, numbers have gone down, but also turn out to events like this. There’s only a few of us that come out to support these kinds of events,” says Devante Mosely.

In this strategic plan, readers are told that there has been a remarkable jump in enrollment, “approximately 30% of fall 2016 and spring 2017, represent an ethnic group.” A petition, created by students at Radford University shared their concerns saying that, “Of these students, ‘The fastest-growing populations are Black/African American and Hispanic.’ While we appreciate the efforts to diversify the student body, we are concerned that the faculty demographics have remained stagnant.”

At the Bigger Picture March, held during the Fall 2021 semester, students requested a change in their petition, asking for the creation and funding of a position for a Director of African American studies. With the motion passing unanimously at the December 3, 2021 Faculty Senate meeting, students involved in black student life hope that this will be the start of a chain of events to bring more diversity to Radford’s campus.

Even though Radford would like to have more black professors, some of the ones on campus do feel like they are being treated equally. Dr. Charles Manyara, head of Geospatial Sciences, states “I have not been treated differently when it comes to getting opportunities and promotions at Radford. I know people who started here before me and didn’t get promoted quicker and those people aren’t black. That is the most important question to ask when talking about discrimination, did it take as long to get promoted, or get promotions that others got?”

Even though Radford doesn’t have a high number of black professors, Manyara doesn’t believe it is a racial thing or discrimination. Manyara states “I see it not necessarily as a Radford problem but more of a real-world problem. Radford not having enough black professors isn’t necessarily a Radford thing, that’s just unfortunately where the world is today. The most important thing is that the school feels as if they are making progress and heading in the right direction.”

As black students and journalists like us dive deeper, trying to figure out the big “why” question, it circles back to the systematic racism that plagues our country.

Many students go all four years without a black professor, and to many black students, it concerns them that they aren’t receiving a fair education. “I would like to see more of a reflection of my appearance on campus and in the classroom,” says Amber Ross, a senior communications major. She states that she wants to learn how to be a black professional, and that with more professors that are black, she would feel more motivated and have someone to look up to.

According to Mosely, here at Radford “it’s up to black people to help other black people,” but with the lack of support from similar colored professors, it puts an enormous amount of pressure on the 4% of black professors on campus.

“We don’t have the comfort of making connections in class with our professors. Many times I have had experiences where I’m the only person of color in my class and the professors do not reach out to remember who I am or make a connection with me.” says Chantel Cook a junior Biology major, and President of the National Panhellenic Council. “If there were more black professors, I would feel more comfortable to ask questions or speak up in class.”

After reaching out to Ashley Offutt, the Director of the Center for Diversity and Inclusion, she had great things to say about the progress, success, and concerns about underrepresented populations on Radford University’s campus.

“I have been at the University for 9 months, and based on the experience that I have had, Radford is doing the work to continue championing diversity at the institution,” says Offutt. The CDI offers training and in-depth discussions connected to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.

Although there are constant changes happening at Radford University, black students are dissatisfied with the guidance and support they receive. “Unlike many students on campus, black students have to work a little harder, it’s not handed to us, we have to learn and adapt,” says DeAngelo Nichols, a junior Philosophy major, and Vice President of the Alpha Phi Zeta chapter.

The lack of black professors and resources on campus to support black students, seems to bring extra amounts of pressure to the few black professors. Students are hoping to see progression and they will do whatever it takes for their voices to be heard. From the words of Dr. Manyara, “it is much bigger than Radford University.”