LaVerne Gyant

LaVerne Gyant, or “Dr. G” as she is known to countless students across the campus, is the director of the Center for Black Studies and a faculty member in the Department of Counseling, Adult and Higher Education. She has taught courses, served on numerous committees (including the Provost's Task Force on Multicultural Curriculum Transformation), been faculty adviser for student organizations and counseled and mentored hundreds of students. She has developed coursework and programs on Africana women, designed support activities for students who are single mothers and organized events on women's spirituality. In 1998, she co-founded the women's campus racial harmony group, Breaking Bread and Building Bridges. Her nominators all mention her selfless giving of her time and energy in the classroom, as a mentor, counselor, adviser and valued colleague.