@PhDJAC It has been a while since we have seen one another in person. You have been online wrapping up course work, having interviews, and connecting with family and friends. You have also been challenged in other ways with COVID-19, remote learning and uncertainty about the future. On top of all of that, several acts of racial violence occur to members of our Black family. This is not a new phenomenon, rather is part of US history. As a collective each threat, raised fist, gun shot, knee on the neck impacts us in the soulful part of our hearts. With each loss of life and civil rights, all of us move closer to the front of this line as we grieve. Usually we would gather in-person, hug, or exchange a familiar head nod as we pass by one another on campus. Words are never enough yet here I find myself writing a letter to get you know - that I am still here. I am still routing for you. I am still hoping and planning for the next time I see you in-person. I am looking forward to having deep conversations with you. Laughing and hugging you. I know as a people we are resilient, but you deserve so much more than that label. You are beautiful, valuable, ingenious, insightful and TIRED. Know that as Black Faculty and Staff at Marquette we have your back when you need to rest and grieve before you head back out to the world and shine bright. We feel you. We see you. We admire you and we support you.
Til we meet again –
Long Live Wakanda,
Joya A. Crear, PhD - AVP of Student Affairs
On behalf of the Black Faculty and Staff of Marquette University
Bio
Dr. Joya Crear holds a doctorate in Counseling Psychology from The Pennsylvania State University. She also attended Howard University and the University of Wisconsin-Madison for her Bachelor and Masters degrees respectively. Dr. Crear currently serves as the Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs Marquette University.
Click here to download the letter
Til we meet again –
Long Live Wakanda,
Joya A. Crear, PhD - AVP of Student Affairs
On behalf of the Black Faculty and Staff of Marquette University
Bio
Dr. Joya Crear holds a doctorate in Counseling Psychology from The Pennsylvania State University. She also attended Howard University and the University of Wisconsin-Madison for her Bachelor and Masters degrees respectively. Dr. Crear currently serves as the Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs Marquette University.
Click here to download the letter
| letter2blkstudents.2020.pdf |