Black Faculty and Staff Association

LaMarcus Howard, BFSA President

LaMarcus Howard is the Associate Director of the Disability Resource Center, and previously served as Coordinator of Academic Success and Support Services at the Holman Success Center and as an Academic Adviser in the Parker Advising Center. LaMarcus earned bachelor's (social work) and master's (educational leadership, student affairs) degrees from Central Michigan University, where he served as a graduate assistant in Multicultural Academic Student Services, and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in educational leadership from Eastern. LaMarcus professional experience includes work at Central Michigan University, Saginaw valley State University and Eastern Michigan University.

LaMarcus was born and raised in Flint, Michigan and a graduate of Flint Northern High School. LaMarcus enjoys spending time with his family, especially his nephew and godsons. In the little free time that he has, LaMarcus loves to work out, read, and bowl. LaMarcus areas of interest include student success, disability services, academic advising, African American Male retention, and multiculturalism.

Email: lhoward7@emich.edu

Lorraine Mcknight, BFSA Secretary

Lorraine currently holds the position of Senior Career Coach in the University Advising & Career Department Center. For 17 years Lorraine has worked to help EMU students and alumni find the major and career that "fits" them by using career assessments, workshops, vision boarding classes and other instruments to help them identify their goals, values, strengths and transferable skills.

Lorraine is the current Secretary for BFSA and presents career development, etiquette, tea parties and vision boarding workshops through her company Etiquette Is... LLC. Lorraine is the President of the Michigan Career Development Association '15-'17 and a member of the National Career Development Association. When she has free time Lorraine listens to autobiographies, scrapbooks, and watches movies with her family; husband Steve, brother-in-law Stanley, and her son David.

Email: lmcknig1@emich.edu

Marlene Thomas, BFSA Treasurer

Marlene Thomas is a Library Assistant III, joined the EMU family on January 1996 as a student, while raising her three children. She was hired full time on July 24, 2000. As a member of the Halle Library staff, Marlene has worked in five different departments. Marlene has two degrees from EMU: a bachelor’s degree in Accounting Information Systems and a graduate certificate in Human Resources Management. She has been a mentor for 13 years for the Summer Incentive Program (SIP) helping incoming freshmen get acclimated to campus during the summer, and is the Treasurer for BFSA. She also volunteers her time with the EMU Heart Walk and at her church.

Marlene’s children are now adults: her son has two girls and is trying to finish college; the oldest daughter had a baby in September 2015 and is trying to finish college. The youngest daughter recently graduated from the Douglas Aveda Institute. Marlene was married in October 2014 to a wonderful man who has a son; together they have a dog (Mr. Kibbles).

Email: mthom105@emich.edu

Natalie Taliaferro, BFSA Community Relations

Shortly after graduating with her B.A. in Spanish from the University of Michigan, Natalie coordinated programs to enhance teaching and learning at the University of Michigan's Center for Research on Learning and Teaching. After two and a half years, she transitioned into the corporate sector and joined Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (BCBSM). During her time at BCBSM, Natalie began a graduate degree in business administration with a dual concentration in finance and marketing. She completed her MBA shortly after joining Eastern Michigan University. Currently, she is the Data Analyst for Accreditation and Learning Assessment at EMU's College of Business. Previously, she assisted both the undergraduate and graduate Offices of Academic Services.

Natalie is also a lover of all things food, more specifically carbs in the form of soft, warm bread, potatoes of any any kind (but french fries hold a special place in her heart), pasta, caramel, red velvet, and strawberry cake, and bacon (because life is just better with bacon). She also enjoys traveling, reading, and inspiring others to lead a healthy lifestyle.

Email: ntaliaf1@emich.edu

Eric Reed

Eric Reed is the Coordinator of the EMU Opportunity Program, which is the university’s college preparation program designed to facilitate a smooth transition into university life for EMU freshman who were academically underprepared out of high school. He then learned how to successfully navigate the college culture earning a BAA in Health Administration and MSA in Public Administration from Central Michigan University and will soon hold a PhD in Educational Leadership form EMU. His areas of interests include entreprenuership, student success and community youth programming.

Email: ereed2@emich.edu

Dar Mayweather

My name is Dar Mayweather and I have a Masters is Higher Education Emphasis in Student Leadership and Bachelor in Criminal Justice with a minor in Psychology, all obtained at Grand Valley State University. It is an honor and a pleasure to be the Coordinator for the Center for Multicultural Affairs. I started my career in Student Affairs at Illinois State University in Residence Life. I continued my career in Residence Education at the University of Michigan, where I honed my skills in Multicultural Education. I believe the Center for Multicultural Affairs should play a critical role in corralling the EMU community around social issues to create social change. Social change is more about the journey, than the destination; we have a great opportunity to engage people who are interested in becoming more socially aware citizens through social and educational programs, events, lectures, workshops, and fun activities. I'm a firm believer in challenging and supporting our students to pursue their passions. Through exploration, exposure, and cultural awareness, students can become leaders who can recognize and appreciate our growing global economy.

Email: dmayweat@emich.edu

Candace Dorsey

Originally I’m from Detroit, Michigan. I started my Law Enforcement career with the Detroit Police Department in 1986. I worked there for 6.5 years. I worked patrol, walked a foot beat, worked prostitution details, alcohol enforcement details and enforcement of city & state violations.

I moved to Ypsilanti in 1992, and joined EMU Police Department in 1993. I was immediately assigned the APO detail working directly in residence halls with students as the Area Police Officer. I worked patrols while on campus and was one the first officers assigned to the newly formed bicycle patrol at that time. In 1996, unfortunate family dynamics lead me to the decision to legally adopt and raised my then 6 year old niece, Sydnie. Which I did as a single parent while working full time at EMU as well as attend college courses in pursuit of my Bachelor & Masters degrees.

For the past 17 years I’ve been the Crime Prevention Coordinator for EMU P.D., where my duties entail presenting safety related educational programs to the student body population. I also present training sessions and information pertaining to all aspects of safety to staff, faculty & students in the campus community. I am a Self-Defense Instructor, Instructor Trainer and Regional Director, with an organization called Rape Aggression Defense Systems (RAD). RAD is a women’s self-defense course, where women are taught basic physical self defense skills. I participate in various campus committees and meetings with staff and EMU administrators on campus. I work directly DPS administrators with various meetings, events and assignments and I am one of three DPS personnel that teach the Active Shooter program to the EMU community.

I graduated from EMU with a Bachelor Degree (BS) in the Spring-2004, with a concentration in: Communications, Public Safety and Liberal Studies, and again in Spring-2006 with a Master Degree (MLS) with a concentration in: Marketing/Management & Political Science.

Email: cdorsey@emich.edu

Michelle Henry

Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, University of Michigan Master of Arts in Educational Leadership with a focus
on Higher Education/Student Affairs, Eastern Michigan University. Michelle had a long career in alumni relations at the University of Michigan before shifting gears and deciding to pursue a career in student affairs. Michelle’s first position at Eastern Michigan University was Coordinator for Distance Education Programs in the Office of Continuing Education in 2003. In December 2005, Michelle joined the EMU College of Business staff as Coordinator for Graduate Programs where she provided advising to current and prospective students for Master's degrees in business. In Fall of 2009, she became Interim Director of Academic Services, and in mid-2012 was named Director of Graduate Business Programs. Michelle loves her job in that it allows her to meet, interact with, and influence the professional goals of students from all over the world; her favorite aspect of the job is when she is able to problem-solve, troubleshoot, and advocate for students to make their EMU experience the best it can possibly be. Michelle has been fortunate to be able to twice travel to India to recruit graduate students from that region and hopes those travel opportunities will expand. Michelle is married and has two adult children and two grandchildren; her entire family lives in Southeast Michigan and so she feels blessed that she is able to enjoy significant family time. Michelle is a member of the Women's Committee for the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit. She is a fanatical sports fan particularly for college and professional football and basketball; she enjoys traveling with friends and family, reading, ballroom dancing, and social media and in fact served as administrator for two Facebook group pages for over a year.

Email: mhenry1@emich.edu

David Turner

The year was 1994 and David Turner was about to make one of his favorite memories. The place was packed, the stage was set, excitement was contagious and everyone looked great in their caps and gowns. Commencement was the culmination of hard work, fun and growth, but it was particularly important to David because his dad was in the audience. Shortly after graduation David lost his father, but he looks back on that day as a memory he will never forget.

His time at Eastern was special in more ways than one. He was lucky enough to meet his future wife Delayne and gain a direction for his future. David credits Dr. Fraya Wagner-Marsh, a professor in the College of Business, as one of the professors who helped shape his future. "I absolutely loved everything about EMU... my time spent here was memorable and life altering," David said. David recently came home to EMU as the Vice President of University Human Resources.

He says, "I am very excited to return to my alma mater. This University is extremely special to me. The opportunity to join Dr. Martin's team and the prospect of contributing to the success of the faculty, staff and students is an honor and a privilege. My current role allows me to serve the educational institution that directly contributed to my success."

Aside from professional achievements, David's greatest triumph is his three children. He feels blessed to be a part of Kendall, Leah and Asa's developments and progress over the years.

David also has a love of cars. He says, "I enjoy restoring the classics, which I define as 1967 to 1981." He considers himself a GM guy but admits he did own a 1987 Mustang Convertible GT 5.0 while he attended EMU. David restores the cars from top to bottom and he has almost completed his fifth restoration, a 1981 Chevrolet Corvette.

Restoring homes is another hobby of David's. He typically restores single family homes which are all investment properties. Most of the homes are located in Northwest Detroit and the surrounding suburbs. He works with his business partner and between the two of them they complete 98% of the work themselves. David said, "We specialize in all facets of restoration and repair, with the exception of plumbing and roof work!"

Email: dturne27@emich.edu

Candice Howard

Candice L. (Turner) Howard, who was named Academic Coordinator for student-athletes at Wayne State in December 2008, begins her ninth year on the WSU staff in 2015-16. She added the title of Senior Woman Administrator in the spring of 2012 and oversight of student-athlete housing in October 2012. Howard was promoted to associate athletic director in the summer of 2014. Her responsibilities include oversight of all academic support services, student athlete development, community outreach, and the Athletics Academic Advisor, departmental learning specialists, and subject tutors. A 2006 graduate of Miami University, Howard earned her bachelor’s degree in sports studies with minors in management organizational leadership and marketing. She received a master’s in sports studies with an emphasis on sports organization from Miami in August 2007. Howard completed a specialist of education degree from EMU in educational leadership and is finishing up her Ph.D. in educational leadership. Howard also serves as adjunct lecturer at Wayne State University in the Sports Administration Master’s program where teaches Concepts of Sport Leadership, Collegiate Athletics Administration, and Sport Finance. At Eastern Michigan University she teaches in the Health Promotion and Human Performance College a role she has held since Winter of 2015. Howard teaches in the Sport Management undergraduate major, Foundations of Sport Leadership.

Her professional affiliations include National Association of Collegiate Women Athletics (NACWAA), National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA), National Association of Academic Advisors for Athletics (N4A), National Academic Advising Association (NACADA).

Candice personal affiliations are Hartford Memorial Baptist Church and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. Her areas of expertise include Academic Support Services for Adult Learners, Higher Education Student Affairs, Collegiate Athletics Administrations, Leadership Development, Student Athlete Development, Service Learning, Diversity and Inclusion Education and Event Planning.

Email: candice.howard@wayne.edu