Shaping a more inclusive community

Robert Stallion ’13 and Brittany Howell ’14 and ’16 are taking action to make a difference on the UW-Platteville campus through initiatives and outreach programs to bring awareness to the importance of representation. Stallion and Howell first met nearly a decade ago as undergraduates, not realizing their professional paths would cross years later. Howell, a licensed professional counselor, returned to her alma mater in December 2021 as a Multicultural Specialist and Counselor, with the focus of providing counseling services to minority student populations. Stallion was already working at the university as an Admission Counselor and Multicultural Outreach Specialist. He’s also an Assistant Coach for the men’s basketball program. Stallion was a member of the UW-Platteville men’s basketball team from 2009–13. To both of their surprise, they reconnected on campus, and together they’re making their impact known through coordinating alumni reunions and networking events for faculty, staff, and students of color.

“For us, building community is important,” said Howell. “When people feel like they belong to a place, space, or an environment, they feel confident in who they are. We want people to feel they belong at UW-Platteville.”

ROBERT STALLION ’13, Admission Counselor and Multicultural Outreach Specialist, is also an Assistant Coach for the men’s basketball program.

According to Howell and Stallion, for many underrepresented minority students, attending UW-Platteville can be a difficult transition, where students can feel isolated and experience imposter syndrome: feelings of self-doubt of their skills, talents, and accomplishments.

“It can be isolating. I have had bouts of imposter syndrome,” said Stallion. “When we talk about isolation, we typically talk about the students, which is very important, but at the same time, to serve the students, we need to keep faculty and staff members of color here. I had the idea of having gatherings for faculty and staff of color.”

Save the Date!

Join us for the second annual Office of Multicultural Student Affairs reunion, Oct. 21, 2023.

Howell had the same idea. After a discussion, Howell and Stallion created networking events for faculty and staff of color, which takes place at least once a semester. They also organized the inaugural Office of Multicultural Student Affairs Alumni Reunion. The second annual OMSA Alumni Reunion will take place on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023.

“We are addressing two initiatives at once, student retention and staff retention,” said Howell. “If we can keep staff of color on campus and help them create a sense of belonging and community, it also contributes to student retention because representation does matter.”

“These are opportunities to get people in the same room, network, introduce each other, and find another person who could be a part of their support system,” added Stallion. “It’s important for our students of color to see alumni because it’s a living finish line. They see people who look like them, who have been in their seats, and walked their paths.”

When Howell and Stallion were students, they expressed having mostly positive experiences, but were also exposed to challenging circumstances including racism, biases, and microaggressions— issues current Pioneers are still facing today.

“To have had those experiences that involved racism and discrimination, it allows me to be equipped with the skills, tools, and encouragement necessary to help push students forward. For many students, that one experience can make them feel like they cannot continue college,” explained Howell. “A lot of people of color, including myself, and students of color in general, we are used to taking on a lot—I’m here to let students know you don’t have to carry that load alone. You don’t have to do it by yourself. You have support at UW-Platteville through programming, counseling, or dropping by my office. I’m fortunate to provide that space.”

In creating a safe space for all students, Howell and Stallion recommend the university to invest in cultural programming and listen to the concerns of students. In addressing these concerns, starting in

It’s important for our students of color to see alumni because it’s a living finish line. They see people who look like them, who have been in their seats, and walked their paths.”

—Robert Stallion

fall 2023, OMSA Affinity Housing will be offered.

“It’s going to be a huge step in the comfortability for our students of color and feeling less isolated,” said Stallion. “Not only are our students of color feeling isolated in the classroom, but they also can feel isolated in the residence halls. To have OMSA Affinity Housing for students of color, it will build more community in the residence halls. It will go a long way. UW-Platteville will feel more like home.”

Howell notes additional amenities are also being discussed, including bringing a cultural barber shop to campus.

“We want to have a space on campus for barbers and hairstylists to offer their service to students of color,” she said. “Students would not have to travel back home to get their hair done. When you take care of yourself, you also feel good and confident in who you are.”

When Howell and Stallion embarked on their own collegiate careers, they never foresaw themselves staying in Southwest Wisconsin, but both alumni credit their educational background with giving them the foundation to succeed. They acknowledge how they’re lifelong learners and are grateful they’re able to bring attention to critical issues. As they continue to organize more programs for students, staff, faculty, and alumni of color—each gathering has continued to grow with positive responses.

“I have always believed UW-Platteville is a great place for young people to receive a good education,” said Stallion. “For some young people who come from different backgrounds, whether culturally, financially, or economically, it’s a great place for those people to change their lives for the better. I truly believe that. I have taken that feeling and love for mentorship, teaching, and helping young people—especially young people who look like Brittany and myself—to help them gain access to higher education. It’s why I decided to stay on campus as an alumnus.”

Howell adds, “For Rob and me, this is not work. It’s my calling. We have found a way to continue connecting with people outside of the student population, and with faculty, staff, and alumni. We are trying to support the university’s initiative of diversity and inclusion through outreach programming and other opportunities through networking.”

Ruth Wendlandt ‘06

BRITTANY

’14 and ’16 is a Multicultural Specialist and Counselor, with the focus of providing counseling services to minority student populations.