Elevating Voices, Fostering Community: Inside the Black Graduate and Professional Student Association
By: M. Caroline Helms and Sandra Spiroff
The Black Graduate and Professional Student Association (BGPSA) has been a vibrant student-led organization at the University of Mississippi (UM) for over three decades. Committed to professional development, community service, and social engagement, BGPSA cultivates an environment where individuals not only thrive but also find a sense of belonging during their transformative academic journey.
Nikyra Jenkins
Nyterica Jenkins, an advisor for the organization, works in the Center for Student Success & First Year Experience and holds a B.S. in Exercise Science and an M.A. in Higher Education/Student Personnel from UM. She shared, “BGPSA played a pivotal role in my graduate school journey, providing a vital space for connection and growth among minority graduate students. Upon graduating, I eagerly stepped into the role of Advisor, driven by the belief that every graduate student deserves a supportive community to thrive in their academic pursuits.”
BGPSA hosts monthly events, offering a dynamic platform for student involvement and engagement. Examples of BGPSA events include Black trivia night, Friendsgiving, workshops addressing imposter phenomena and offering resume recharges, and bingo nursing home nights. Members often take advantage of these opportunities to serve, experience fellowship, and grow as individuals.
Jenkins explained, “This organization holds dear three foundational pillars: professional development, community service, and social engagement. I wholeheartedly encourage all graduate students to join us, as together, we can foster a sense of belonging and empower one another to reach new heights. I am grateful to serve such an amazing organization!”
Jaylin R. Smith, who earned an M.A. in Journalism in May 2024, has held leadership positions within the association and is an active member, attested to BGPSA’s significance as a vital support system and safe haven.
Jaylin R. Smith
“…I am understood and accepted as a Black woman at this institution. Because of BGPSA, I am able to network with other Black professionals, serve the community, and exhale around colleagues that are sharing my same experience,” Smith said.
Smith finds the robust community within the organization to be the most rewarding aspect. It facilitates connecting with diverse individuals from different backgrounds and validates their identities. “Even though we have a shared experience being Black graduate students at the University of Mississippi, our differences in talent and culture and personality make every moment we spend together memorable,” Smith said.
Likewise, Alicia L. Arlington-Thomas described BGPSA as a valuable network in her life. She is a mother of three, working towards a Ph.D. in Biology while commuting from Jackson, Mississippi. Amidst the challenges of balancing academic and family responsibilities, she finds support and camaraderie within the BGPSA community.
Alicia Thomas
“…this ride has not been easy. Driving back and forth to make sure I am present for my kids is hard. The support of BGSPA has given me tough love, but also a shoulder to cry on, a voice to speak, and people to help,” Arlington-Thomas said.
Arlington-Thomas underscored BGPSA’s role in inclusivity. She described BGPSA as an organization where you can fully be yourself, share your struggles, and have a community that understands and is there to listen.
“BGSPA helps to open doors of communication for those who might decide to give up due to lack of representation of those who look like them,” Arlington-Thomas said.
Arlington-Thomas believes she has found and fostered lifelong friendships through BGPSA. For her, BGPSA is not just an organization but a family.
Jazmine Kelley, who earned her Ed.D. in Higher Education in May 2024, actively participated with BGPSA during her graduate studies at the University of Mississippi, where she serves as the Program Director for Diversity Education & Strategic Initiatives. Reflecting on her journey, she underlined the opportunities this organization has provided her.
Dr. Jazmine Kelley
“I have had opportunities to serve my community through volunteering and other projects. I have been able to let loose and de-stress with fun activities…I have been able to gain more knowledge and skills to grow as a professional and scholar in my field,” Kelley said.
Kelley highlighted the sense of fulfillment in being a part of an organization that has nurtured meaningful friendships and connected her with other individuals who value and share her passion for service and scholarship. Graduate school can be an isolating experience with overwhelming workloads and deadlines, but with an organization like BGPSA, that feeling of support and encouragement does not go unnoticed.
“Having a centralized hub that Black graduate and professional students can go to in order to find respite, support, and encouragement along their difficult and seemingly lonely academic journeys promotes a sense of belonging and empowerment to succeed at UM,” Kelley said.
By embracing BGPSA, many graduate and professional students find a community where they can flourish and thrive, empowered by the collective strength of solidarity. For those eager to join or learn more about UM’s BGPSA, consider following them on Instagram or emailing umbgpsa@gmail.com. Those interested may also stop by any event or activity throughout the school year.
Spring 2024 Newsletter
- Welcome
- Doctoral Dreams: Commemorating Success at the 2024 Hooding Ceremony
- Elevating Voices, Fostering Community: Inside the Black Graduate and Professional Student Association
- Enhancing Graduate Student Wellness: The Graduate House Welcomes Embedded Counselor Caelyn Ditz
- In the Spotlight: Mr. Julian Gilner, Our New Recruitment Manager
- Across Continents, Graduate Scholars are Thriving Abroad