Christa Martin, Vice President for Access and Diversity
Katherine, student of new Media
K: So, what do you do here? How long has this department been here?
M: I am the Vice President for Access and Diversity here at Columbia State. This office was started in the year 2003.
K: What are some of the things planned for this campus and other campuses around Columbia State?
M: One of the first things planned is the Fisk Jubilee Singers coming to perform in the Cherry Theatre, and we are creating market exposure for that event because we are very excited about them coming to perform. They actually went overseas to perform--and raise money-- to the Queen so we were obliged to having them here.
M:Also there will be a display in the Library on the Columbia Campus of people important to Black History month.People in sports, music, government, and other aspects of our culture will be on display in the entranceway. Then later on in the month there will be a 'meet-and-greet' where students and people observing the campus can come, because we would like for them to meet the president of the school.
M: During this month we will have an African-American read-in, which is coordinated by Shelley Manns, who has done so for several years. Anyone can come to the Clement building, where we will be reading African-American stories, poetry, and other types of literature. Also for this month, we have scheduled a Black History Month dialogue session, where we will discuss the year 2011 for things such as education, health-related issues, foreclosures, and how they are finding solutions to some of those problems. On February 11th, there will be a Minority Males Webinar at the Miracopa Community College. We are going to actually dial in and students can view the webinar. It will be a dicussion of minority males throughtout campuses. The Webinar is titled 'The Invisible Man.' We are trying to plan a 'Big Mommas' Sunday dinner.' In the African-American community, on Sundays after church, there is a large gathering of the families where a large dinner is hosted. We are trying to plan the same tradition, and have fried chicken, turnip greens, macaroni and cheese, and mashed potatoes. We haven't quite got it together, but hopefully we can have it by the 24th or 25th of February.
K: That is wonderful! I hope that does happen. How long have you been here at Columbia State?
M: I personally have been here for 31 years, 2 months, and 2 weeks (she replies with a laugh).
I love to be here. I love what I do. I started out as Director of Computer Services, for 19 years, and I have been here at this department for the past 7 1/2. Its great; I love what I do.
K: Well, thank you so much for giving us all the information on what is going on this month, we are looking forward to everything you guys have planned. Thank you.
M: Thank You.
--end of interview--
Mrs. Martin also spoke of some of the events such as the Black History Month weekly drawings, where anytime you walk into the cafeteria and purchased a lunch , you recieved a small red ticket with a certain number of digits. later on in the day, a college-wide email would be sent containing the winning digits for a gas card. She was very enthusiastic about many events that would be happening on the college campus during the month of february.
There are many programs throughout the Access and Diversity campus, such as:
1)Student Leadership Institute
2) Minority Student Advisory Team
3) Dialogues of My Experience (ME) in Diversity and Cultural Development
4) Generational Mentoring Program (GMP)
5) Mapping the Comprehensive Academic Plan
Each of these programs are designed to excel and promote the education of current students and to provide help to students at all campuses.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact the Columbia State main office at:
- 1665 Hampshire Pike, Columbia, TN 38401
- For a map of the Columbia Campus, click here.
**this interview was very enlightening and informative. Mrs. Martin was extremely gracious to take time out of her busy schedule to talk to us (and she did not even know we would be filming, still she agreed).
I would like to thank Mrs. Martin for talking with us.
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