The Black Advisory Committee
Dr. Sandy Shugart
Valencia College, President
Marion Campbell
Black Advisory Committee, Chair
The Black Advisory Committee
Greetings from the Chair
Marion Campbell
Over the past 35 years, the Black Advisory Committee of Valencia college has achieved success
through the relevance of our mission and through the strength of our networks, but most importantly,
through the energy and passion of our committee members. I call upon that same passion and
dedication today, because the work before us is critical not just to Valencia College but to our
communities across the world.
Our success in the past was achieved through the inherent energy and dynamism of Dr. Sandy
Shugart and the Valencia College students, faculty and staff. Our success in the future depends on the
same. We cannot fulfill the destiny of this committee without harnessing the talents and abilities of
each of our members. So I encourage us all to be serious as we move forward this year. Those who have
come before have brought us to this point; now it is upon us all to continue the legacy.
We must do more than quote the Mission; we must model it and live it!
The Black Advisory Committee
Membership
Community Members
Delores Batson
Marva Carter
Reginald McGill
Vernard Batson
Steve Currie, lll
Dr. Denise Mose
Dr. Felicia Boyd
Kevin Gaston
Shanti Persaud
Vicki Brooks
Chester Glover
Darryl Smith, Esq.
Leona Burns
Stephen Graham
Eric Smith
Joe Caldwell
Arthur Jarvis
Margie Wells
Marion Campbell
Monica May
Dr. E. Laverne Williams
Valencia College Representatives
Dr. Amy Bosley
Kevin Rushing
Dr. Sandy Shugart
Dr. Mike Bosley
Barbara Shell
Deborah Xavier
Charles Davis
Lisa Shrestha
*Member Emertus
The Black Advisory Committee

Established in 1970

Initiated Incentive Awards Program in 1976

Purchased dental kits for African American students in the Dental Hygiene Program

Sponsored the African American Heritage Scholarship Banquet Notable Speakers were:

Allen Page, State Supreme Court Justice

Bernie Casey, Actor

Lerone Bennett, Ebony Magazine

George Frazier, Author

Glenda Hood, Mayor

Gwendolyn Brooks, Poet/Author

Merlie Evers Williams, NAACP

Established the African American Heritage Scholarship, an endowment managed by the Valencia
College Foundation

Hosted a reception honoring African American Administrators, Faculty, and Staff of Valencia
College
The Black Advisory Committee
The Annual Incentive Awards Program

The Incentive Awards program has been the signal event for the BAC since 1976. Yearly, the
award is granted to 10 students from among those nominated by BAC members, faculty and
staff of Valencia. Our Incentive Awards is granted without respect to race, color or creed, nor
financial aid

Beginning in 2005, the award amounts doubled from $150 to $300. In 2014, students were
awarded $400.00 each. Since 1976, more than $75,000 in scholarship money has been awarded
to over 300 Valencia students

We are pleased that the overwhelming majority of our Incentive Award recipients have not only
graduated from Valencia but have gone on to further their post-secondary education earning
masters, doctorate and juris doctorate degrees and are employed as teachers, business persons,
lawyers, administrators and journalists

In addition to the financial contributions of the BAC members, Valencia’s administrators and
staff have given graciously and we are appreciative of their support
African American Heritage
Scholarship Program

Established and supports the African American Scholarship Program to provide additional
assistance to African American students seeking to attend college

Hosts galas to underwrite the scholarship awards

Partnered with the Valencia Foundation to establish an endowed fund to manage the
scholarship

The amounts vary based upon the funding balances of the endowment. However, 50 students
have been awarded this scholarship over the past five years

The overwhelming majority of our scholarship recipients have graduated from Valencia College.
Our plans are to expand the number of recipients and to provide more support once they have
graduated from Valencia College

In addition to community support, Valencia Faculty, Staff, and Administrators contribute
annually to this endowment
The Black Advisory Committee
Community Involvement & Minority Business Development

Co-hosted Brown v. Board of Education Panel Discussion in May 2004

Hosted its first Job Fair in November 2004

Supports activities and projects to increase the number of minority staff and students

Co-sponsored Juneteenth Celebration—”An Evening with Zora” at the Wells’ Built Museum in
June 2005

Represented the College at various functions, such as: The RAFMAN Banquet and Program;
Festival of Trees; West Orange County Chamber of Commerce Black History Dinner; NAACP
Freedom Fund Banquet; The Boy Scouts of America; YMCA Black Achievers’ Awards Gala;
Orange County Black History Month Celebration; Arthur “Pappy” Kennedy Prayer Breakfast;
Zora Neale Hurston Festival; and the United Negro College Fund

Supports Valencia’s outreach services and programs in the public schools to encourage
minorities to enroll in college

Serves as a community liaison for minority business development and receives quarterly reports
on minority vendor awards

Increased dollars spent with minority suppliers from $1.8 million in April 2003 to $3.1 million in
November 2004
The Black Advisory Committee
Achieve the Dream Initiative

Supports College’s efforts to improve the performance of minority students via a grant from the
Lumina Foundation, entitled “Achieve the Dream”

Hosted a community focus group in March 2005

Co-sponsored a planning retreat for Achieve the Dream—Community Conversations event in
December 2005

Co-sponsored the Community Conversations event with Public Agenda in April 2006. More than
200 people attended this event

Served as moderators and recorders for the Community Conversations event
The Black Advisory Committee
To Help Brighten the Lives of our Students, Please Make Contributions to:
Valencia Foundation / Black Advisory Committee
http://www.valenciacollege.org/scholarshipsClick on Make a Donation Give Now & select Eula P. Jenkins
or
mail check to:
Valencia College
Deborah Xavier DO-21
P. O. Box 3028
Orlando, FL 32802
For additional information:
Contact Deborah Xavier:
www.dxavier3@valenciacollege.edu
407-582-8054
Thank You!