Today@Sam Article
‘What Do We Do Now?’ Continuing The Conversation
June 24, 2020
SHSU Media Contact: Hannah Haney
Bearkats are not known for sitting on the sidelines. At Sam Houston State University, our faculty, staff, and students are eager to raise their hands, ask the big questions, and initiate honest conversations in order to spur the change they wish to see in the world.
As an institute of higher learning, SHSU aims to cultivate an educational environment that encourages open dialogue on a variety of important topics. In a recent letter to the Bearkat community, President Hoyt addressed the university’s increased commitment and responsibility to acknowledge, resist, and act against systemic racism and violence.
“Universities, places of innovation and learning, must stand as a collective catalyst for transformative thinking and personal growth. One of cultural equality and opportunity. A community where inclusion and diversity are no longer mere words, but fundamental values which are acted upon,” Hoyt said. “While we have made progress at Sam Houston, there is still work to be done.”
One way the university is helping its students, faculty and staff navigate during this time, is by providing a positive avenue to process recent tragic events through a discussion panel presented by the College of Business Administration. The virtual panel discussion will address pre-approved, submitted, anonymous questions in an effort to listen, learn, and better understand one another.
“Some of these discussions will be easier than others, but we believe we shouldn't shy away from the more challenging topics like race relations,” panel moderator and professor of management, Aneika Simmons said. “The public death of George Floyd hurt and impacted people here in Huntsville, Texas, as well as around the world. In fact, it has resulted in outcries in the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Denmark, Italy, Syria, Brazil, Mexico, New Zealand, and, of course, the United States. It is our intent to acknowledge the pain of those impacted by this event and the occurrences that followed. We seek to empathize with one another and work toward positive solutions.”
This event is a step towards answering the question, “What do I do now?” The panel discussion will launch on Wednesday, July 1 at 1 p.m. on the SHSUOnline YouTube channel.
Moderator:
Aneika Simmons, SHSU Professor of Management
Panelists:
Brian Hall, Small Business Liaison Officer and Diversity & Inclusion Manager at Shell Oil Company, SHSU alumnus
Vic Sower, SHSU Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Management
Cassy Henderson, SHSU Associate Professor, Department of Accounting
Jordan Chang, Assistant Director for the Center for Diversity & Intercultural Affairs at SHSU
Amanda Lee, SHSU Student Body President, Student Government Association
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