Kimberly Blockett is Professor and Chair of Africana Studies at the University of Delaware. Her area of specialization is 19th-century African American literature, especially women writers, literary and religious history, and trans-Atlantic studies. She has a monograph forthcoming with Duke UP (2023) and a scholarly edition published with West Virginia UP (2021). She has received many scholarly awards including the Women’s Studies Research Fellowship at Harvard Divinity School and a National Endowment for the Humanities Fellowship at the Massachusetts Historical Society. In addition to administration, teaching, and research, Kim enjoys spending time with her husband and four adult children, gardening, spoiling her dog, and making time to travel at every opportunity.

Jessica Edwards, PhD, writing teacher, editor, and advocate for inclusive practices, is an Associate Professor of English at UD from the Mississippi Delta. She’s interested in helping scholars heighten their historical, political, and racial consciousness through writing. Jessica is the author of several book chapters and articles about teaching, writing classrooms, and racial literacy. She has also helped to edit a couple of books, most recently a co-edited piece titled Speaking Up, Speaking Out: Lived Experiences of Non-Tenure-Track Faculty in Writing Studies. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, being with family, roller skating, and attending live concerts.

David Hannah is a native of Southwest Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He has worked at the University of Delaware since 2005. He worked for the College of Education and Human Development for 16 years in various roles and departments within that College. He now works for the Department of Communication as an Academic Program Coordinator for their Graduate programs. He recently completed his Bachelors in Sociology in August of 2020 from UD. Currently, he is pursuing his Masters in Public Administration within the Biden School. When he is not working for the University of Delaware he is working out and training others to get in shape physically as that is where his true passion lies in being a personal trainer and helping others to achieve mental and physical milestones that they did not realize were possible.

Gregory E. Hicks, PT, PhD, FAPTA is a distinguished professor in the Department of Physical Therapy and Associate Vice President for Clinical and Translational Research at the University of Delaware (UD), as well as Director for the NIH-funded DE-CTR ACCEL Program. Previously, Dr. Hicks was deputy dean of the College of Health Sciences and chair of the top-ranked physical therapy department at UD. He is also the founding director of the department’s Advancing Diversity in Physical Therapy (ADaPT) program. Dr. Hicks received BA degrees in Biology and English, as well as a master’s degree in Physical Therapy, from UD and a PhD in Rehabilitation Science from the University of Pittsburgh; he also received post-doctoral training in Epidemiology of Aging from the National Institute on Aging. He maintains an active research agenda, which is primarily focused on development of novel intervention strategies to improve physical function for older persons with chronic musculoskeletal conditions, particularly low back pain. His work has been consistently funded by NIH since 2008. He is currently the principal investigator of an NIH-funded multicenter clinical trial designed to explore the impact of addressing hip impairments in older adults with chronic low back pain. Dr. Hicks has served as chair of the National Advisory Board on Medical Rehabilitation Research for the NIH. He currently serves as Associate Editor for the Journal of Gerontology: Medical Sciences and as editorial board member for Pain Medicine. Dr. Hicks is also a standing member on NIH’s Center for Scientific Review as part of the Neurological, Aging and Musculoskeletal Epidemiology (NAME) Study Section. He has been an active member of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) and was named a Catherine Worthingham Fellow, APTA’s highest membership category, in 2018. Notably, his service to APTA has also included an appointment to APTA’s Board of Directors.

Camille Sims-Johnson, Ed.D. is the Program Director of the Upward Bound Math and Science Program at the University of Delaware. She has worked to support first-generation students achieve their goals for over 25 years. Camille managed seven Career & Technical Education (CTE) program areas and twenty-eight instructors in sixteen schools. Camille worked with the School District of Philadelphia as an Industry Development Specialist for 14 years managing Health-Related Technology programs, organizing college and career recruitment events, and creating scholarship opportunities for over 10,000 students and parents. Camille has also managed extensive budgets of 1 million dollars or more.  Camille came to the University of Delaware in 2015 to provide programming to students desiring to pursue careers in STEM and wishing to be the first in their families to attend college. Camille has worked tirelessly to forge partnerships with various departments on campus and with local community-based organizations. Camille created the Summer STEM Institute for her UBMS students to participate in research activities and receive intensive lab training and mentoring from faculty and graduate student mentors for six weeks with the Department of Engineering and Biological Sciences. Camille received the 2018 Louis L. Redding award for her collaborative work with Ramona Neunuebel on the NSF Career Grant over the last five years. In 2019 Camille proposed and received a $40,000 supplemental grant to enhance the curriculum for the UBMS program in computer science and mathematics. Camille is an Active member of Rho Theta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Camille earned her B.S. in sociology from St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, her M.Ed. in Counseling in Higher Education from Widener University, and recently in May of 2021, Camille completed her dissertation on The Experiences of Microaggressions Among First-Generation Students of Color Attending Predominantly White Institutions at Wilmington University and received her Ed.D.

Over 30 years, Marianne has worked in the field of higher education providing counseling and advisement to students of all ages interested in pursuing their education beyond high school.  Marianne has worked at Lincoln University in PA in the Admissions Office, as an Admissions Counselor and Assistant Director of Admissions.  The majority of her higher education career (26 years) has been spent at the University of Delaware where she has held the positions of Program Coordinator, College of Engineering; Associate Director of Undergraduate Admissions; Assistant Dean, College of Health & Nursing Sciences; and currently, Academic Program Manager in the College of Engineering.  In her current position, Marianne is responsible for Student Development & Support and the RISE (Resources to Inspire Successful Engineers) Program. Marianne is also the Director of the FAME/UD Summer Residential Program.

Marianne is a member of the National Association of Multicultural Engineering Program Advocates, Inc. (NAMEPA) and has served as the National Secretary, Region A Chair, and Region A Secretary, she currently serves as the campus representative for the UD, College of Engineering.  She is a past advisor to the University of Delaware chapter of NSBE (National Society of Black Engineers).  Marianne is also a member of the Zeta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and serves on the Education and Membership committees.  Marianne is a life-long learner and will complete a Master’s degree in Organizational Leadership at Wilmington University-Spring, 2022. 

Sharon L. Neal is an analytical chemist in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of Delaware,  Her current work is focused on the development of multichannel optical spectroscopy and multivariate data analysis methods for monitoring the reactive oxygen species produced during photosensitization of pollutants in water-borne microorganisms and pharmaceuticals in tissues. During her tenure at the University of Delaware she has served as a rotating program officer in the Chemistry Division of the Mathematics and Physical Sciences (MPS) Directorate at the National Science Foundation (NSF) and spent a sabbatical leave as a visiting professor in the Biology Department at the University of New Mexico. Before moving to U of DE in 1998, she was an Assistant Professor at Spelman College and UC Riverside.  She also worked as a staff chemist in Corporate Quality Assurance at The Coca-Cola Company prior to completing her graduate degree. Prof. Neal earned the B.S. in Chemistry at Spelman College and the Ph.D. in Chemistry at Emory University, both in Atlanta, GA.  She conducted post-graduate research at the University of Washington and Naval Research Laboratory. At the University of Delaware, she is co-chair of the African Heritage Caucus (of faculty and staff) and member of the ADVANCE Institute Internal Advisory Board. She is a member of several professional societies including the American Chemical Society, the Society for Applied Spectroscopy and the National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers in which she serves as the Northeast Regional Chairperson and Univ. of Delaware Student Chapter faculty sponsor.  She serves on the advisory board of the Committee on the Advancement of Women Chemists (COACh) and is a past advisory committee member of the Mathematics and Physical Sciences (MPS) Directorate at the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the Open Chemistry Collaborative in Diversity Equity (OXIDE). She is also a past member of the advisory committee and the A-Page Advisory Panel at Analytical Chemistry.

Corrin Omowunmi has been an employee with the University of Delaware since 2017, and currently works in the Office of Academic Enrichment as the Academic Program Manager. In this role, she has successfully created and implemented a strategic plan that has transformed UD’s tutoring programs and its physical spaces in under 2years. She has increased UD’s student engagement for tutoring up to 92% at its peak with the assistance of the Blue Hen Success system platform, and through the efforts of collaboration with both academic & non-academic units across campus. In addition, she manages the summer Get Ready program which helps to transition and prepares conditionally admitted students to college life at UD. Corrin has more than 15 years of combined experiences working in non-profit and higher education settings connecting with diverse populations which include at-risk youth, young adults and low-income families. More specifically she specializes in program/project management, youth development and event planning. She also holds a bachelor’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling and a master’s degree in Human Service Management. Corrin believes that school is challenging for most, but learning is essential for growth and that there isn’t one “right” way to achieve success. She promotes to students to set goals and to be proactive about staying connected to campus resources, and to seek help when needed. In Corrin’s personal time she enjoys spending time with her family, traveling and loves all things music related, concerts, festivals and karaoke. Professional development is also very important to her, she enjoys attending different conferences, seminars, workshops and listening to educational podcasts. Personal statement: I am honored to be nominated as a potential African Heritage Caucus Board member and excited for the opportunity to be a part of the Board. I hope that my professional and educational background combined with my passion for mentorship will be considered as great additions to the team.

Stephen Roberts has over 20 years of experience in higher education and community service engagement. Stephen held numerous positions throughout his tenure at Lincoln University (Alma mater) and Rutgers University. Most of Stephen’s higher education experience is operating and managing a University Registrar’s office. He has held Assistant Director of Student Services, Associate, and Interim Registrar positions at the above institutions. He is currently the Academic Coordinator, Advisor, and Coach for the Alfred Lerner College UDREAM program. (“U” Develop Resources for Excellence in Academic Management). Since Fall 2019, he has developed UDREAM to offer a wide range of programs and opportunities to all students with an added focus on URM, Pell-eligible, and first-generation students. These programs include academic support, career development, co-curriculum, and professional development opportunities. At Lerner, Stephen plays an active role in recruitment efforts and various diversity and inclusion initiatives. Additionally, he served on various university committees, including student conduct and targeted support. Stephen’s commitment to service does not stop at the University of Delaware. He served as President of the Parkside Green Homeowners’ Association for over ten years. Stephen is an active board member for Rose Hill Community Center in New Castle, DE. RHCC supports and develops community-centered programs and is the hub of various resources to support the local Route 9 corridor residents. Stephen is also a Realtor with English Realty. He obtained his real estate license in 2020. He has been committed to providing professional and exceptional service to his clients throughout Delaware. Stephen’s hobbies include hiking, watching crime dramas, listening to various podcasts, traveling, cooking, and health and wellness initiatives. He also enjoys listening to all types of music, such as hip hop, jazz, and R&B. You might also catch Stephen participating in endurance competitions occasionally for fun and at the local Bear/Glasgow YMCA, partaking in various community events.

Edgard Sankara received his Licence (B.A) and Maîtrise from the University of Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso), his M.A. from the University of Oregon and his Ph.D. in French/Francophone studies from the University of Texas-Austin. Dr. Sankara is the author of two books: Postcolonial Francophone Autobiographies: From Africa to the Antilles (University of Virginia Press, 2011) and Récits de vie au Burkina Faso (L’Harmattan, 2016). Dr. Sankara has published articles in Nouvelles Etudes Francophones, The Canadian Review of Comparative Literature, the Canadian Journal of African Studies, and Itinéraires, littérature, textes, cultures. Dr. Sankara teaches courses in Francophone African and Caribbean literatures. His recent courses include: “Négritude-Antillanité-Créolité,” “Francophone African cinema,” “Francophone Women Writers” and graduate seminars on “Literature of immigration” and “Francophone Autobiographies.” He has served the university on many capacities: African Heritage Caucus member (since its creation), African Studies Program Faculty (2005-currently), Faculty Senator (2007-2008), French Faculty Chair (2008-2012 and 2015-2017), Faculty Senate P&T committee member (2021-currently), etc. Personal statement: I would like to be part of the AHC as a Board member to serve the African Heritage community on campus and the University of Delaware in their vision of creating an inclusive campus. As a member at the creation of AHC, I have benefited from its nurturing and coaching spirit. I remember having benefited as a junior Faculty from AHC’s mentorship program and community retreats. I attribute my success and promotion at UD to AHC and I would like to serve the Board, by following the footsteps and wisdom of esteemed Colleagues and friends, Sharon Neal, Francis Kwansa and Breck Robinson. If elected as a Board member, I will help strengthen the legacy of our Caucus, and I will promote the idea that AHC be involved in the recruitment of minority Faculty and Staff. I will introduce the proposal that, at least one AHC member should meet any African heritage minority who is a candidate for a position at UD, during their visit or be a contact resource if the position does not require a visit.

Dr. Regina Wright joined the University of Delaware in 2011. Currently, she is the inaugural Associate Dean for Diversity for the College of Health Sciences and Professor in the School of Nursing. She also serves as Chief Diversity Advocate and UD Advance Fellow for the College of Health Sciences and joined the African Heritage Caucus Board in the fall of 2021. Dr. Wright is a psychologist with an active program of research that focuses on relations of cardiovascular, psychosocial, and sociodemographic risk factors to brain health and cognitive function among older adults, with a particular interest in African American health disparities. She also teaches in the BSN and PhD programs in the School of Nursing. A native of Delaware, and a proud alumnus of UD, Dr. Wright earned her MS in Experimental Psychology from Villanova University and her PhD in Research Neuropsychology from Howard University before completing a postdoctoral fellowship at the Duke University Center for Aging and Human Development.