The Future of Work is Diverse, Inclusive, Just and Equitable

GlobalMindED closes the equity gap by creating a capable, diverse talent pipeline through connections to role models, mentors, internships for low-income students, returning adults, First Gen to college and inclusive leaders who teach them, work with them and hire them.
Roslyn Artis, JD, EdD - First Gen Student to President at Benedict College

We are happy to share Dr. Artis' story, as she serves as an inclusive role model to so many; students and adults alike. Continue to meet leaders like her in our newsletter, in our Equity events, and at our conference.

Roslyn, what is your personal narrative? What key moments in your life led you to where you are?

​I was raised in Beckley, West Virginia.  Neither of my parents, Robert and Christina Clark, were college graduates - therefore, I am a First Generation college graduate.  My father worked as a coal miner and my mother was a nurse’s aide.  We were, what could best be described as, “working poor.”  My parents instilled a very strong work ethic in my younger brother and me.  We were always encouraged to do our best in school.  

I earned by Bachelor of Arts degree (Magna Cum Laude) at West Virginia State (College) University, a small, public HBCU located in Institute, WV. If it weren't for West Virginia State and the opportunities it afforded me, I would not be where I am today. After graduating from college, I enrolled in law school to pursue my life's ambition of a career in law. I graduated from WVU College of Law in 1995.   

In 2003, after practicing law for nearly 9 years, I transitioned full-time into higher education.  I had been teaching as an adjunct professor, coaching a moot court team and mentoring aspiring lawyers for several years leading up to my transition.   While the practice of law was certainly fulfilling, I realized that teaching was, in fact, my passion.  I do not regret earning a law degree, or the years I spent practicing.  In fact, I am convinced that the critical thinking, oral and written communication skills, and analytic ability developed in law school and in the practice were the absolute best preparation for leading a higher education institution.  While I ultimately pursued and acquired a Doctorate in Higher Education Leadership and Policy from Vanderbilt University, my law degree remains a very valuable credential.  
 
I have been honored to “break the glass ceiling” at two higher education institutions. Despite some marked gains, women remain grossly underrepresented in the upper ranks of higher education. I marvel at having the privilege to lead two different institutions as the first woman president. For me, the appointments symbolize growth and achievement – personally and professionally. But more than that, my appointments are a signal to the young women on my campus, to my own daughter and to little girls everywhere, that they can be whatever they desire.  Ladies can lead!  
 
What led you to transition from law to higher education? How did your background and education in law support the work you are doing in higher education? 

A single note from a student crystallized my decision to make the shift from law to higher education.  I was teaching a course in Legal Research and Writing.  At the conclusion of the course, the student handed me a note that read: “You changed my life.  I never thought I could be a lawyer.  After meeting you and taking this class, I know that I can.”  I must have read those words a hundred times…”you changed my life.”  It´s that simple.  Education affords me the opportunity to change lives and to touch the future through my students and their families.  While the law can compel opportunity, education creates it.
 
I joined the College of West Virginia, which evolved into Mountain State University and is now known as WVU Tech in 2003. During my 9 year tenure at the College I served in multiple roles from Faculty to Executive Vice President and everything in between! At each phase and stage, I learned from our achievements and even more from our failures. I am a better administrator today because of those experiences.  

As the President at Benedict College, what are your mission and goals? 

At present, I serve as the 14th President and CEO of Benedict College. The typical challenges faced by a College President include providing the guiding vision and strategic direction for the college and then leading a team of people that help to achieve institutional goals related to financial management, infrastructure maintenance and development, technology implementation, academic programs, learning outcomes, student development, fundraising and community engagement. In the last 18 months, these day-to-day challenges have been exacerbated by Covid-19. The pandemic forced us to maintain our focus on the vision while simultaneously creating an entirely new set of strategies for achieving the vision. I have been a college president for more than 8 years, and Covid-19 has been the single greatest challenge I have experienced. We navigated the pandemic in the same way that we meet any challenge – with a laser focus on what’s best for my students. Their academic, social, emotional and physical well-being are my primary responsibility. Students are the air that I breathe. They are my polar star. Students are the best thing about this job.  

As a first-generation college student, I know first-hand the challenges of navigating college by yourself.  I am thoroughly and unapologetically committed to ensuring that students like me have a chance.  We provide bridge programs and pipelines from underserved communities to our college.  We offer financial aid counseling, a food pantry and a clothing closet.  Low wealth, first generation college students often need much more than education.  They need social and emotional support.  My institution, and others like it, provide that wrap-around support.  It is one of the things I am most proud of.   
 
What challenges are students in higher education facing today and how do you work to support them? 

The best example I can offer about Benedict’s commitment to student success and the ways we address the challenges faced by our students is our response to Covid-19.  When the pandemic forced us to close our campus, we were keenly aware that our students did not come from families who could afford to by a plane ticket on a day’s notice or to take off work during the week to come and pick them up.  We raised nearly 50K in less than 36 hours and purchased over 120 airplane, train and bus tickets for our students.  We ran 24-hour shuttle service to airports in 3 states to get them home safely.  We purchased luggage, checked bags and provided cash for food in the airport for students with a long layover.   
 
After the campus was evacuated, we learned that most of our students did not own personal computers.  Therefore, we purchased and mailed hundreds of laptops and hotspots to students.  We also provided food subsidies and housing stipends for our poorest students over the summer.  Nearly 31% of our students have some form of housing insecurity.  In the face of those staggering numbers, we knew that failure was not an option.  We had to support our students in every way that we could.   
 
The College stood up a student outreach and communication plan, virtual counseling sessions and academic support services. Moreover, despite the pandemic, the College continued to innovate.  We made the transition to a “textbook-less” campus.  This decision reduced the cost of attendance to students by nearly $1,000 a semester.  Faculty shifted to fully open-source materials (within fair use guidelines) embedded in our online platform.  These materials are more current, engaging and interactive for our students, thereby enhancing their learning.  Necessity truly is the mother of invention! 
 
What advice would you give to future Inclusive Inspirational Leaders?

Work Hard. I inherited an extremely strong work ethic from my parents.  There is simply no substitute for hard work and preparation.  Additionally, I am generally considered a strong communicator both verbally and in writing.  These skills were sharpened in law school and have served me very well throughout my professional career.    

Be Competitive. I am also extremely competitive and strive to live out the vision of the late Benjamin E. Mays - “Whatever you do, strive to do it so well that no man living and no man dead and no man yet to be born could do it any better.”  If you substitute the word woman for man – you have me in a nutshell.   

Laugh out Loud. I have a good sense of humor that often balances out the intensity of my work ethic and makes me tolerable to be around! 

To follow along with Roslyn Artis on her journey and leadership, connect with her at the following social media accounts

Instagram: @rclarkartis
Facebooks: Roslyn Clark Artis
Twitter: @ArtisRoslyn 
LinkedIn: Roslyn Clark Artis
Honoring the 2022 Inclusive Leader Award Winners. Please see their stories:

GlobalMindED | 303-327-5688 | contact@globalminded.org | www.globalminded.org
Stay Connected