By TYLER ELLYSON
UNK Communications
KEARNEY – Samiya Alexander was born in Chicago, but raised in North Platte.
She’s used to life in the rural Midwest and being a minority.
“The black population here isn’t that huge,” Alexander said, perhaps understating the lack of diversity in many Nebraska communities.
Alexander feels comfortable at the University of Nebraska at Kearney, where people from many races and backgrounds come to study and interact.
Still, she knows some black students arrive on campus with a level of uncertainty, wondering whether they truly belong. As a freshman, Alexander was searching for her own connection to UNK.
“I wasn’t in any organizations because I didn’t know what to join,” she said. “None of them spoke to me.”
Toni Hill, an associate professor in the family studies department, made a recommendation that hit home. She encouraged Alexander to get involved with the Black Student Association, an organization that had been inactive for about three years.
“It was disappointing that the group was not active,” said Hill, who identified Alexander as the type of intelligent, energetic leader the group needed to re-establish itself.
“It was easy to spot her in my class,” Hill said.
Alexander nervously accepted the challenge. With help from Hill, graduate student Nolline Omollo and others, the Black Student Association was active again in fall 2017.
“I wanted something that I could feel like I belong to, and I wanted to make others feel welcome,” said Alexander, the group’s president.
The organization provides a “safe space” for students to voice their opinions, discuss issues, support their peers and develop friendships.
“If you’re on a campus and you’re a minority student, it’s important to have support so you feel connected and know that you truly belong on that campus,” Hill said.
The group, which is open to any student interested in issues that impact African-Americans and people of African descent, provides a way to give back to the campus and community, as well.
Last semester, members collected donations from local businesses for a fundraiser that supported sickle cell disease awareness. They also co-hosted events for Black History Month and Martin Luther King Jr. Day and recognized Gilbert Hinga, dean of the Division of Student Affairs, for his support of UNK students.
Alexander, who was named 2017-18 freshman of the year by the UNK Office of Multicultural Affairs, said the organization is planning more service projects to encourage volunteerism and leadership both on and off campus.
The Black Student Association, which has about 20 members, meets 7 p.m. Wednesdays at the Office of Multicultural Affairs on the east end of the Nebraskan Student Union.
In April, the group was named the new student organization of the year during UNK’s annual Applauding Excellence awards night.
“The Black Student Association has proven that students of color are not alone and, more importantly, they are welcome,” the award nomination stated.
It is awesome to see my friend helping make a difference! Her dedication should be an inspiration for many. As a fellow American it is sad that we even need a group like this, because we are all humans. We shouldn’t judge someone by race or religion. But it is absolutely amazing that she is doing amazing thing and re-igniting this group so she can help others. Keep up the good work Samiya!