By: Lindsay Martin | Staff Writer
Salve students and faculty alike have seen several new faces on campus throughout this year, but one of the most prominent new faces is that of our new Vice President for Student Affairs, Dr. Letizia Gambrell-Boone. After a brief hiatus in Mosaic’s Salve Spotlight column, our Spotlight for February and Black History Month is none other than Dr. Gambrell-Boone herself.
Originally from Columbia, South Carolina, Dr. Gambrell-Boone attended Hampton University in Virginia, where she received her bachelor’s degree in Marketing and a master’s degree in Counseling with a concentration in college student development. She also earned her Doctor of Education degree in Higher Education Administration from The George Washington University in Washington, D.C.
Dr. Gambrell-Boone has had several years of experience in higher education, so when I asked her what brought her here to Salve, she said that our mission “closely aligns” with her personal values. Our mission is indeed an integral part of the Salve experience for both students and faculty members, and Dr. Gambrell-Boone says that she gets “excited about the opportunity to demonstrate our commitment to our mission through the student experience.”
She clearly loves working with students to help them reach their full potential. She says that she is most passionate about “authentic self-expression,” and believes “every person was uniquely created, is shaped by our life’s experiences, and has a desire to be seen and heard.” In a time where mental health advocacy is at the forefront of numerous discussions, these words are uplifting and inspiring.
It is no secret that Salve’s student population is majority White; however, most can agree that cultural diversity is crucial to our learning environment and learning outcomes. Admissions counselors and administrators are working hard to “cast a wider net,” as Dr. Gambrell-Boone says, “in attracting more racially diverse students who are committed to the mission and values of Salve.”
Dr. Sami Nassim and Rose Albert, in our Office of Multicultural Programs and Retention, have done a wonderful job increasing diversity awareness, opportunities for dialogue, and support for both our minority students and for the Salve community as a whole with events such as Multicultural Education Week, Inclusive Reading Clubs, residential Living Learning Communities, mentorship programs, retreats, and workshops. Multicultural Education Week, which is very popular among the community, takes place February 28 to March 4 this semester. Be sure to check it out!
Dr. Gambrell-Boone believes that we all “benefit from honoring the intersectionality of our students’ lived experiences, including intersecting identities that are seen—such as race and ethnicity—and those that are unseen—such as ability or gender identity.”
As we reach the end of Black History Month, I also wanted to ask Dr. Gambrell-Boone why this month is important to her, as Black Americans have unfortunately faced—and continue to face—challenges of every kind throughout their lives.
“Every person was uniquely created, is shaped by our life’s experiences, and has a desire to be seen and heard.”
“When established,” Dr. Gambrell-Boone eloquently told me, “Black History Month was a way to honor the sacrifice of Black Americans despite what appeared to be insurmountable resistance. With relentless perseverance, Black Americans achieved in innovation, sports, and social justice. Today, Black History Month provides an opportunity for Americans to continue to honor the accomplishments, struggles, and fascinating stories of Black Americans throughout history.”
Black History Month may be a designated time to celebrate the history-making achievements of Black Americans, but, needless to say, it is important that we honor and celebrate them not only this month but every month. While our Salve community may be in need of more cultural diversity, it is important that we all recognize this and continue to heed our mission to the best of our ability, to “welcome all people and have compassion as we work for a world that is harmonious, just, and merciful.”
We are so happy that Dr. Gambrell-Boone has joined our community, but perhaps no one is more excited than her. She looks forward to “working together to provide the best human experience for students.” Her focus is on the students, and she is sure to bestow numerous significant contributions to our student-centered community for the remainder of this semester and for semesters to come.
