Staff

Staff

To make Atkins a great living-learning community, our director, mentors, office facilitators, and fellows do everything we can to help our family members mature and envision paths forward to leadership and graduation from Indiana University.

Stafford C Berry Jr.

Stafford C Berry Jr.

Director

Stafford C. Berry Jr., (Baba Stafford) is director of the African American Dance Company and a professor of practice in the Departments of African American and African Diaspora Studies and Theatre, Drama, and Contemporary Dance at Indiana University Bloomington. Mr. Berry is an accomplished artist, educator, activist, and scholar of African-rooted dance and theater, and aesthetics.

Valerie Grim

Valerie Grim

Fellow

Dr. Valerie Grim, professor and director of undergraduate education in the Department of African American and African Diaspora Studies, has been a member of the Indiana University faculty since 1990. She teaches courses in African American history, culture, politics, and race studies. Dr. Grim researches and publishes in the areas of African American history, culture, and rural studies.

Carolyn Calloway-Thomas

Carolyn Calloway-Thomas

Fellow

Dr. Carolyn Calloway-Thomas, professor and chair in the Department of African American and African Diaspora Studies, provides scheduling and management support, financial and curricular direction, and mentoring to current Atkinites and alumni.

Jakobi Williams

Jakobi Williams

Fellow

Dr. Jakobi Williams, a professor in the Department of African American and African Diaspora Studies, teaches courses associated with African American history, politics, and culture. He researches and publishes in the areas of social and protest movements.

Vincent Isom

Vincent Isom

Fellow

Mr. Vincent Isom, director of the 21st Century Scholars Program, works closely with the administrative needs of Atkins and serves as a mentor.

Nancy Lorenz

Nancy Lorenz

Fellow

Ms. Nancy Lorenz provides scholarship and social activity support.

Richard Lorenz

Richard Lorenz

Fellow

Mr. Richard Lorenz provides mentorship and co-sponsors social and academic activities with Nancy Lorenz that help to foster community, unity, and leadership in Atkins.

Cedric Harris

Cedric Harris

Fellow

Mr. Cedric Harris provides mentorship to Atkins students and helps to co-narrate and co-navigate the educational emergent trips.

Patrick Smith

Patrick Smith

Fellow

Mr. Patrick Smith, director of Faculty and Staff for Student Excellence (FASE) Mentoring, provides mentorship and supports programming that provides opportunities for students to grow as leaders and peer mentors.

Jen Faulk

Jen Faulk

Office Manager

Ms. Jen Faulk, the administrative assistant for the Department of African American and African Diaspora Studies, serves as the logistical person for Atkins, making students’ room assignments, scheduling rooms for meetings, providing appropriate food for events, sending and receiving messages in the Atkins village, and ensuring that the Atkins experience is positive.