By Shelishia Woodardcontributing Writer
Mordean Taylor-Archer, Ed Laster, and Pat Spearman make up a dynamic team that are on a mission to improve the retention and graduation rates of students of color at the University of Louisville.
Taylor-Archer, vice provost for diversity and equal opportunity, has appointed two brilliant leaders who will be extremely beneficial to minority students: Ed Laster, new director of the officer of multicultural academic enrichment programs, and Pat Spearman, new director of multicultural programs and affairs. They are both very honored to have the positions, which will enable them to make a difference in the lives of minority students. Ed Laster plans on making a difference by creating programs and services that will relate to students. He also proposed the idea of making the new office student friendly by giving African American Recognized Student Organizations a room to facilitate in the new building that is going to be built in the near future.
Pat Spearman plans on making a difference by first working with the Black Diamond Choir, making them become visible ambassadors. Second, by reinstating a diversity week sometime in the fall where students could look at a collage of cultures. Finally, by having college students look at different service components in terms of giving back.
Not only are they great goal setters, but they are both very well educated. Ed Laster is a student at U of L and has received two degrees. He was also the assistant director with Reach. Pat Spearman has served as a special staff officer for equal opportunities. She developed various programs of diversity for the military, has served as a pastor for over twenty years in a local church, and has served on committees with people of different religious backgrounds who were working towards a common goal in the community.
“People don’t care about how much you know until they know how much you care,” Spearman stated when asked about her credentials. She said that she cares very deeply for the African American, Asian, Hispanic, and Anglo-Saxon students who are different. Spearman said that she is just one of the team players in the process of transforming our university into an oasis of respect for all humanity. Ed Laster admits that it is going to be a challenge, but a wonderful one.
One challenge in particular is finding room for the new office. Taylor-Archer is pleased to tell students that plans are underway for a new facility that will house both the Multicultural Center and the newly formed Office of Multicultural Academic Enrichment Programs and Services. The new facility will be called the Diversity Center for Excellence. Given the State’s current budget deficit, external funds must be raised for the new building.
Along with the new office comes a new multicultural slogan: “Don’t tolerate, celebrate. Join the celebration.” Spearman simply stated that “we should not tolerate one’s presence, but celebrate it, because this is our chance to learn about someone else’s culture that is different from ours.”
Everyone is welcome at the Multicultural Center. It does not discriminate against gender, age, race, ethnic background, origin, language, or sexual orientation. The center has a place for everyone! So DON’T TOLERATE, CELEBRATE. JOIN THE CELEBRATION!
