African American alumni speak about their experiences while at JCU
As a part of the “John Carroll University: Our Story” initiative which looks deeper into the background of John Carroll, slavery and the African American community, a panel consisting of African American alumni took place on Tuesday, Feb. 28 in the Donahue Auditorium.
The panel consisted of the alumni relaying their experiences at John Carroll academically and socially, as well as asking their opinions on what the University could do better in terms of inclusivity and educating others about people of different backgrounds.
The program began with Fr. Martin Connell, S.J., explaining why the panel was held. He explained that the panel was a part of examining the history of the school’s founder. Connell said that slavery is still relevant today. “We should be concerned about the past because it is not even in the past,” said Connell.
George Simple, ’02 was the moderator for the panel. The panelists were Dawn Sizemore ’03, Brandon Sheil ’10, Jasmine Norton ’11, Chantel Davis ’11 and David Shelton ’15.
The first question posed to the panel was: Why did you choose to come to John Carroll? The answers included: a great financial package, a recommendation from a friend, the proximity to home and being near family and the strong academics.
When asked about the academics and the relationships the panelists had with professors, Norton said that the University challenged her to exceed the expectations she had for herself. She also said that her advisor, current psychology professor Beth Martin, helped her realize her love for psychology.
Shelton said that he did not feel he was always challenged in classes and so he challenged the professors. “Some of them appreciated me for it and some did not,” said Shelton. Sizemore said that she felt more connected with the faculty members during her first two years at Carroll but when she was in the Boler School for her last two years, she “felt like a fish out of water” because she was not sure how to reach out for additional support.
Davis and Norton both agreed that an outside resource that helped them the most throughout their time at Carroll was the office of multicultural affairs.
The next question asked panelists about their interaction with other students while on campus. Davis said that she was involved with the African American Alliance, as well as several other organizations. She said that the events on campus were not geared toward her interests. Davis said she had to, “Create my own experiences that engaged a particular group.”
Sheil was a commuter student but was active in SUPB, Greek Life and AAA. “Since I was not living on campus, I wanted to participate as much as possible,” said Sheil. Shelton said that he was “a loner start to finish.” He said that Carroll created a culture where if someone thought differently or spoke differently, then they were turned off to interacting with them.
“It was a close-minded culture,” said Shelton. Norton said that after coming from a high school where she was the majority, her first semester was a culture shock. But she said that the interaction with people helped her better relate to the people in her workforce today.
When asked to describe John Carroll, Shelton began by saying that if you are a social person who comes from a homogenous background then it’s fine. “John Carroll affirms all [students’] previously held beliefs,” Shelton said.
Sheil said that he recommends John Carroll to high school students and that if the students can get past the tuition barrier, then it is a great experience. Sizemore said she got to know herself and the academic program was strong and enriching.
Davis said that the JCU network is extensive and if she ever needed help, that she could reach out. Being a first-generation college student, she said that the school needs to give more assistance to first-generations and walk them through the processes involved within the University.
Norton said that she would recommend John Carroll but that she does not think that it is a place for diversity of thought or diversity in general.
The floor was then opened to questions from audience members. An audience member then asked Shelton what he thought the University could improve upon in terms of diversity. His response was for John Carroll to recruit from a diverse range of schools. “[When they] recruit from the same schools with the same values, it will create a culture of similarity,” said Shelton.
Another question asked if any of the panelists had a personal race issue while on campus. Shelton mentioned an “Africa Party” that students had where they dressed up as Kenyan runners and had giraffes as decorations.
Norton mentioned a former accounting professor at the University who gave students the opportunity to play music at the beginning of class. The professor told Norton to play jazz music and educate the class on jazz.
“It’s important to make sure that if you see prejudice that you be vocal about it,” said Sheil.
Norton continued by saying the University needs to have diversity training and sensitivity training for all of the faculty and staff.
Sizemore said the University needs to look closer at the races and socio-economic status of the people they accept and anticipate their needs.
Senior Thomas Pope said, “It was interesting and nice to see diversity. When there was friction in the beginning [the panelists] were willing to soften what they said, but they eventually opened up and at the end it was really eye-opening.”
