Oral History

I. An Interview With a Past President

Charmaine Mercer Ph.D
NBGSA Past President (1998-1999)
VP for Conference Affairs
Secretary

 

Current Position: Professional Staff for U.S. House of Representatives, Committee on Appropriation

Tina: What inspired you to be President of NBGSA?
Dr. Mercer: I really thought the organization could use a strong leader. I had a great working relationship with the Executive Director (Dr. Phyllis Gray) and the staff which I thought would help produce positive change.

Tina: What was your vision for the organization?
Dr. Mercer: I really wanted the organization to be more visible, specifically within the political arena. I envisioned NBGSA being more akin to NAGPS.

Tina: What were some of your accomplishments? Challenges? Regrets?
Dr. Mercer: The organization secured the domain name that is currently used (www.nbgsa.org) and conference attendance was at an all-time high. Our biggest challenges were largely financial. We did not have sufficient resources to become completely self-sufficient. Biggest regret...I did not remain as active as immediate past-president.

Tina: Who were the other members of your Executive Council?
Dr. Mercer: Willie Lawson, VP for Operations
Kim Moffit, VP for Conference Affairs
Kevin Michael Foster, Immediate Past-President
Tessa Johnson
Tamara Bertrand
Celika Caldwell
Ghangis Carter

Tina: How did you handle the demands of being an NBGSA President and those as a graduate student?
Dr. Mercer: A lot of juggling and time management 

Tina: How would you describe your overall experience with NBGSA?
Dr. Mercer: Extremely positive! I met some wonderful people and lifelong friends.

Tina: What advice would you give to current and future members of NBGSA?
Dr. Mercer: NBGSA is a wonderful organization with a lot of potential; continue to work together for the good of the organization.

 

 

 

II. A conversation with a former member of NBGSA

Adriel A. Hilton, Ph.D
VP for Conference Affairs (2007-2008)
Northeastern Regional Representative (2007)
Membership Committee Member (2004-2005)

Current Position: Public Policy Fellow at the Greater Baltimore Committee

Tina: What inspired you to run for a position on the Executive Council?
Dr. Hilton: I decided to run for Northeastern Regional Representative to assist the organization in becoming known within the Northeastern Province; however, I spoke with President Nameka R. Bates who indicated that I should become Vice-President for Conference Affaris. Following my participation in the 19th Annual Conference in Baltimore, I felt that the opportunity to enhance and improve the conference in Chicago - 20th Annual Conference was needed.

Tina: What was your role and responsibilities?
Dr. Hilton: This one-year, voluntary leadership position (requiring roughly 10 hours per week) entailed serving as Director of the annual National Black Graduate Student Conference and Chair of the National Conference Committee.

Tina: What were some of your accomplishments? Challenges? Regrets?
Dr. Hilton: In this position, I managed highly successful conference utilizing leadership, managerial and organizational skills that resulted in increased attendance, improved financials, and better sponsorship support than previous conferences.

Tina: How did you handle the demands of the NBGSA Executive Council and those as a graduate student?
Dr. Hilton: I was completing my dissertation at the time and working full-time as a public policy fellow. I used the weekends to speak with the President and I accomplished most of the work two to three weeks prior to each board meeting - the Board Meetings are indeed essential. I also used my university's contacts - student workers, etc. to assist with mailing, calling, and media advisory releases to all contacts.

Tina: How would you describe your overall experience with NBGSA?
Dr. Hilton: I will describe my experience as "WORLD RENOWNED." The opportunity to meet and work with gifted, talented, BLACK, I repeat, BLACK graduate students is indeed a plus. The opportunity to enhance my knowledge, skills, and abilities was incredible.

Tina: What advice would you give to current and future members of NBGSA?
Dr. Hilton: Get involved on the National LEVEL as soon as possible.

Additional Comments: Don't take this time for granted and indeed make the best of your experiences. Also, just because persons don't agree with you on certain items - doesn't mean that they dislike you - everyone is entitled to their opinions. NBGSA is about respecting others and the organization.

 

 

III. Quick words from a Current Member of NBGSA

DaShaun Joseph
George Washington University, Washington, DC
Member since 2008

Tina: What attracted you to the association?
DaShaun: I was attracted to the fact that NBGSA was an interdisciplinary organization that prompted networking with students across different institutions. I also express interests in organizations that promote leadership, professional development, and mentoring. I believe those factors are critical to career advancement.

Tina: What were some of your expectations of the organization?
DaShaun: My expectations of this organization are multiple networking opportunities, the ability to serve as a mentor (since I am also in the workforce), opportunities for professional development (semiars, workshops, etc.), and opportunities to hear from speaks in the related interdisciplinary realm. In addition, I would like to network with students in the same courses of study.

Tina: What advice would you give to current and future members of NBGSA?
DaShaun: Join the organization for its purpose, not only the events.