How does the BFSA enhance the faculty and staff experience?

The BFSA promotes education, business savvy and personal growth. We advocate education, mentoring, community service, and business networking. Get access to professional coaching, training, job assistance and other valuable resources. Maximize networking opportunities locally to build the connections you need to keep advancing your career. We give faculty, staff, and students a “Voice on Campus”. We advocate for the employment of a more representative number of minority faculty and staff (in particular at the senior staff level).

What does a BFSA membership provide?

• Annual membership certificate
• Inclusion on the BFSA ListServ email list
• Early notification of events and programs
• Online Resources
• Monthly Rotating General Assembly meetings
• Eligibility to vote for officers and committee chairs
• Eligibility to work on a standing committee
• Vote on association issues
• Nominate members for Executive Board office

How can I get involved?

• Encourage your co-workers on campus to attend BFSA meetings and events.
• Attending meetings will provide an opportunity for you to interact with potential mentors and friends.
• Advertise your community event, services, programs, seminars, or products on the BFSA website.
• Promote professional excellence and scholarship among students, faculty, and staff.
• Keep your yearly membership with the BFSA current
• Contact any board member to volunteer

Is the BFSA only for People of Color ?

The association encourages participation from all the African American, Hispanic, and Latino staff and faculty, and extends an invitation to graduate students to become members as well.

How did the BFSA get started?

The Black Faculty and Staff Association began in 1971 with a few Black faculty and staff who met to discuss the survival of their community at the University of Maryland at College Park. We dedicated ourselves to bringing issues of importance concerning minority Faculty and Staff to the attention of the University of Maryland. We also provide support to the minority faculty and staff of the University of Maryland. A great deal of time was spent mentoring and tutoring the minority students who enrolled into a new program known as the Intensive Educational Development Program. The association has grown to include over 100 faculty and staff. 

What are the goals of the BFSA organization?

1. Survey and discuss with Faculty and Staff what value can the Black Faculty and Staff Association bring to their lives
2. Revise our organizational structure to effectively address the concerns and needs of the community
3. Increase the active participation of Faculty and Grad students in order to increase mentoring opportunities that our younger community members are asking for.
4. Increase the active participation of exempt and non-exempt staff to address the areas of opportunities that were discovered in item #1.
5. Increase the familial community spirit by sponsoring activities and events that will bring the community members together. 

How does the BFSA help students?

BFSA encourages community activism, provides role models, and open doors leading to internships and graduation. BFSA provides a comprehensive and representative Black perspective on institutional, societal and programmatic development on campus. BFSA leadership urges the University to provide equal educational and careers opportunities for professional growth and upward mobility for all members of the community. We partner with the Office of Multi-Ethnic Student Education to provide student services.

What is the Vision of the BFSA?

• Exert the influence and participation of the  community, both in terms of minority concerns and the total structure of the University.
• Encourage and support the efforts of upward mobility of minority Faculty and Staff at all levels of the University.
• Enhance the visibility of the Black community by supporting the enrollment of a significant increase in Black students and the employment of a more representative number of minorityFaculty and Staff (both administrative and clerical).
• Urge the University to provide inclusive educational and career opportunities for professional growth and upward mobility for all members of the minority community.
• Provide the University with a comprehensive and representative minority perspective on institutional, societal and programmatic development.
• Serve as a resource bureau to the University and the minority community.
• Offer both leadership and supportive service on the administrative and academic levels to facilitate the delivery of efficient and effective services to all elements of the University.

What is the purpose of the BFSA?

• Urge the university to provide equal educational and career opportunities for professional growth and upward mobility.
• Exert influence and promote participation of the people of color in the mainstream of the campus community. 
• Improve the visibility of the minority community by supporting a significant increase in the enrollment of minority students
• Promoting the employment of a more representative number of minority faculty and staff.
• Provide UMCP with a comprehensive and representative minority perspective on institutional, societal and programmatic developments.

Do you have additional questions - Email: wbrown@umd.edu