Gloria Scott-Richmond leads new Office of Racial and Ethnic Relations
Photo by Shay MacLean.
Established in June 2020, the new Office of Racial and Ethnic Relations aims to advocate for students of diverse backgrounds in all aspects of campus life and to make Lee a more inclusive space for people of color.
Lee Alumni and Director of Evangelical Singers for ten years, Gloria Scott-Richmond is a familiar face on campus. Now returning to take over as the Director of Racial and Ethnic Relations, Scott-Richmond feels the weight of responsibility with her new role on campus.
“This is historic. We’ve never had something like this at Lee, which means there is no template,” said Scott-Richmond.
To help craft the office’s mission, an advisory panel led by Vice President for Student Development Dr. Mike Hayes was formed. The panel enlisted various student and alumni representatives to define the objectives and purpose of the new office and the director’s role.
Gabriel Tirado, a junior theology major and chair of the Diversity Council, participated in the advisory panel to further define his hopes for the office. Pulling from his own experience, Tirado has seen how difficult the adjustment to Lee can be for students who grew up in diverse homes.
“For students like me who grew up in diversity then arrive here and it’s all gone, that’s hard,” said Tirado. “ Some handle it better than others, but some actually feel culture shock. You need people that can relate to that experience, that are specifically advocating for them, and I believe this office is going to accomplish that under Gloria’s direction.”
While the office was officially established in response to nationwide racial tensions following the murder of George Floyd, Scott-Richmond is adamant that her role on campus is not reactive.
“This office can’t fix everything in an hour-long program. We are committed for that long-term journey with someone,” said Scott-Richmond. “Sometimes life is messy, but isn’t it beautiful to have somebody walk alongside you as you are in this undergrad journey and say ‘I see you.’ What does it cost us to be courageous to encourage someone that doesn’t look like us?”
““What does it cost us to be courageous to encourage someone that doesn’t look like us?” asked Scott-Richmond.”
As the office follows Lee’s commitment to stand against racial injustice, many students note the importance of recognizing the office is not the only solution to combat racism.
“The office isn’t a band-aid,” said Tirado. “The racial climate right now is very intense, and although I think Lee is behind in enforcing diversity intentionally, I think we are on the right track. Better late than never.”
Senior psychology major Tutu Lisolu looks forward to seeing what the office can accomplish as Lee works to create a permanent impact on campus.
“It should have been [created] earlier, but I believe there is no greater time for it than right now,” said Lisolu. “It made me feel safe to come back knowing that we are not an institution who pretends these things do not exist.”
Reflecting on her role, Scott-Richmond recognizes the office’s creation came from years of work and prior proposals by those who came before her.
“Somebody had to pave the way. It didn’t just happen. Steps, even if they are baby steps, are steps. My role is to gently stand on the shoulders of those who recognized this need many years ago,” said Scott-Richmond.
Looking forward, Scott-Richmond hopes to leave a lasting impact of inclusion on campus for generations of students to come.
“Offices and positions like this are meant to outlast all of us,” said Scott-Richmond. “We’ve been thinking what do we need now, but also what do we need six months from now, a year from now, five years from now. What does Lee University need?” said Scott-Richmond. “Ultimately, the mission of the office lands on the premise that everybody is welcome on the Lee University campus, not only in word but in action.”
For more information about the Office of Racial and Ethnic Relations, contact Gloria Scott-Richmond at gscottrichmond@leeuniversity.edu.
