NACAC - Spring 2020 - 4

EARLY

ACTION
We can only improve
and see change in our
work by bringing others
along and working
together.

BATTLING BIAS,
EMBRACING CHANGE
SOMETIMES IT IS HARD TO RECOGNIZE OUR
PRIVILEGE.
As an African American male in a predominately
white profession and campus community, it can be
easy to always speak from an underrepresented or
underprivileged place. However, I have to be mindful
that I come from an educated family, I'm physically
able-bodied, I'm a male, a Christian, my first language is
English, and I was born in this country.
Let's check our biases at the door, or at least be aware
of them.
Ever participated in an implicit association activity
or test? They tend to show that we make connections
much more quickly between pairs of ideas that are
already related in our minds than we do between
pairs of ideas that are unfamiliar to us. However, just
because something may be unfamiliar doesn't mean
that the association doesn't exist. Let's not assume a
family doesn't have means to make an education at your
institution feasible. Let's not assume because someone
has served on a committee (or hasn't) that it means they
are more or less capable. Let's not approach the situation
as though everyone has equitable opportunity for
positions or experiences. Let's not assume that our Code
of Ethics and Professional Practices is the only ethical
framework that keeps us focused on the students we aim
to serve.
Let's also be mindful of our perspectives. As a person
who is very passionate about leadership, I can easily
narrow my lens on who I think is a leader or who is
demonstrating leadership qualities. We are all unique
individuals, thus we seek different qualities and offer
different perspectives. The truth is, there isn't one model
of leadership, there are alternatives and variations.
We have to approach challenges or situations with an

THE JOURNAL OF

COLLEGE ADMISSION

open mind and be willing to listen to other perspectives.
Regardless of how long one has been in the profession or
served in a position, we never stop being a sponge. There
is so much information and education to soak up.
In How to Be an Inclusive Leader, diversity and
inclusion expert Jennifer Brown confirms that "pushing to
address root causes and biased practices does not come
without risk. And risk goes up when you become more
public, moving from awareness, to action, to advocacy."
As we continue to navigate uncharted territory, let's
continue to challenge ourselves to move from awareness
to actionable ways to find solutions and to advocate for
appropriate change. Let's think critically about how we
approach and communicate with one another. Let's pause
and take time to respond to each other with respect and
sincere care to understand the perspectives of others
while still holding people accountable.
Whether we are trying to assist prospective students,
supporting colleagues in their professional growth, or
seeking systemic change, we have to be able to sit sideby-side to navigate the new future together. We can only
improve and see change in our work by bringing others
along and working together. We can only come together
if we are willing to sit down at the same table. And we
can only come to that table and navigate challenges if we
are willing to be vulnerable, to listen, and be aware of
our own privilege and bias.

NACAC Board Director Delorean Menifee is director of
admission at Butler University (IN).

NACAC - Spring 2020

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of NACAC - Spring 2020