COVID-19 Information
See the latest updates and information regarding the COVID-19 pandemic at semo.edu/covid19.
The SEMO Black Faculty and Staff Alliance furthers the success and advancement of black faculty, staff and students through various initiatives on campus. The organization was started in the fall of 2016 and was founded to provide a voice for the university's African-American faculty and staff. Our goal is to bring together all those who have an active interest in promoting racial equality at Southeast Missouri State University and around the globe.
The BFSA also acts in an advisory capacity to the Office of Institutional Equity and Diversity on issues affecting its members. We encourage networking by fostering a positive social environment and building alliances with other campus organizations. We welcome all those in our campus community who are dedicated to social justice to join our cause through membership.
Mission Statement
The mission of the Black Faculty Staff Alliance at SEMO is to collaborate with the Southeast Missouri State University community to foster positive relationships towards Black and/or African American faculty, staff and graduate or professional students through social involvement, community support, and advocacy. To accomplish our mission the BFSA will work to:
- Raise the awareness of issues/concerns of Black/African American faculty and staff and allies at the University;
- Provide a forum for members of this group and their supporters to meet and discuss on a regular basis topics of mutual interest and concern;
- Provide support in the University’s on-going recruitment and retention of Black/African American faculty/staff and other underrepresented diverse populations; and
- Collaborate with the University leadership, the greater Cape Girardeau community,
and the surrounding Bootheel communities and other metropolitan areas to foster positive
relationships and serve as a link to SEMO in ways that develop a presence and nurture
relationships to enable:
- Community and campus engagement and relationship building
- Civic leadership
- Community service
Events
Welcome Back Bash (Students)
- Date: Wednesday, August 25, 2021
- Time: 5:00pm-7:00pm
- Location: Dempster Atrium
- Welcome Back Bash (Faculty/Staff)
- Date: Friday, August 27, 2021
- Time: 6:00pm-8:00pm
- Location: 20 N. Pacific
- Monthly Meeting: Professional Development
- Date: Wednesday, September 22, 2021
- Time: 12:00pm-1:00pm
- Location: UC Redhawks Room
- Midsemester Blues
- Date: Thursday, October 21, 2021
- Time: 6:00pm-7:30pm
- Location: UC Redhawks Room
- Monthly Meeting: Mental Health
- Date: Wednesday, October 27, 2021
- Time: 12:00pm-1:00pm
- Location: UC Redhawks Room
- The Wind Down (Faculty/Staff)
- Date: Thursday, December 9, 2021
- Time: 6:00pm-8:00pm
- Location: TBD
| Name | Title |
|---|---|
 Dr. Tamara Zellars Buck |
Faculty Chair Professor and Chair Department of Mass Media tbuck@semo.edu |
 Dr. Shonta Smith |
Faculty Vice-Chair Associate Professor, Holmes Program Coordinator, University UI 100 Program Coordinator Department of Elementary, Early, and Special Education smsmith@semo.edu |
 WyKeshia Atkins |
Staff Chair |
 Dr. Samantha Washington |
Secretary Assistant Professor |
| Vacant | Staff Vice-Chair |
| Vacant | Social Chair |
| Vacant | Alumni Chair |
Contact
One University Plaza, MS 3375
Cape Girardeau, Missouri 63701