Power-Carter served as director for four years and implemented four keys to the center’s success during this time. These tenets include academic excellence, student services, recruitment and retention and community building.
A few of her notable accomplishments as director include but are not limited to the establishment of a student computer lab and collaborative center as well as innovative community building programs such as the Freshman Pinning Ceremony and First Fridays Wisdom Circles, in which alumni and students come together as one and share common experiences. to enhance relationships.
At IU-Bloomington, Power-Carter founded the African American Read-In, a campus-wide program that celebrates black writers; the Closing the Gap Community Literacy Intervention Program; and “Sistahs Who Care,” a mentoring program for young women of color.
“Stephanie’s vision, tremendous leadership skills and commitment to academic excellence and community are to be honored and will be greatly missed,” said James Wimbush, IU vice president for diversity, equity and multicultural affairs, in a press release.
Power-Carter has had real influence on many of the active students in the black culture center. IU sophomore Teaira Charlton is a frequent visitor to the center and comes at least twice a week to do homework and attend the various cultural events the center holds on a regular basis.
“She is very specific on people getting the most benefits for everyone,” Carlton said. “I see her walking around and interacting with students all ?the time.”
Carlton said many people will be very hurt when they find out the news of Power-Carter stepping down. She is seen as a good mentor to all, Carlton said.
Power-Carter is someone who really cares about students and their well-being and understands the importance of community on campus, said Breon Tyler, IU graduate student and active visitor of the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center.
“I know a lot of my friends have had guidance from her in times of need, in different situations,” Carlton said.
Having a stranger come in to take Power-Carter’s position is something unimaginable to Carlton, ?he said.
The patience, understanding and compassion needed for the position is exemplified through Power-Carter’s interactions and dedication to her students, Carlton said.
“A lot of these students have many visions and dreams,” Carlton said. “It is important to understand where these people are coming from.”
A national search is in effect to identify her successor. A committee has been formed and will be led by Valerie Grim, professor and chair of African American and African Diaspora studies.
Other members of the search committee include Clarence Boone, alumni relations officer and director of diversity programs at the IU Alumni Association; Maria Hamilton Abegunde, director of the Graduate Mentorship Center; Sacha Thieme, executive director of admissions; Maria Ahmed, chief diversity officer at IU-Kokomo; Melanie Castillo-Cullather, director of the Asian Culture Center; and Katrina Overby and Julian Batts, both current students at IU-Bloomington.
Power-Carter will remain with the center until July 31 to ensure a smooth and successful transition for the next director. She is also serving as a faculty member in the IU School of Education under the Department of Literacy, Culture and Language ?Education.
“I hope community is set as precedence to continue making this a welcoming space,” Tyler said.
