2008 Woodie Awards
Bradley leaves MERC office
Jackie Stark
Issue date: 9/13/07 Section: News
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Darnell Bradley, the man who some students say took Diversity Student Services to a whole different level, has left Northern.
When Bradley first arrived at NMU, the office was known as Diversity Student Services. In his short two years at NMU, he changed the name to the Multi Educational Resource Center (MERC), and helped promote awareness of diversity on campus through several different grant programs.
Chantia Vann, senior early childhood development major, and MERC student worker, said she was surprised when Bradley announced his intention to leave. His last official day was Aug. 17.
"He took [MERC] to a higher level," she said. "He touched on every aspect of the office. He embraced the student body. He was an all-around good person."
Dean of Students Christine Greer said that though Bradley has left, MERC will still continue on in the path set by Bradley.
"Every campus needs to be multicultural," she said. "Northern has some barriers to that because we don't have many minority students on our campus. The office is important in serving the students, and in teaching multicultural education."
Though MERC is often thought of as only in place for minority students, Brozzo disagrees.
"A lot of people have the perception that (MERC) is only for students of color on campus, but that's not true, because we are here for all students," she said.
As MERC's director, Bradley primarily ran the Peer Advising Counseling Education (PACE) program, which provides incoming freshmen with a junior or senior as a mentor to help them transition from high school to college.
However, MERC will be hiring a part-time graduate assistant by the end of the week to oversee the PACE program, as well as other office duties, Brozzo said.
While a graduate student will be hired soon, the search for a new full-time director may not be in MERC's future.
Administrators will be seeking input through surveys and focus groups to determine what services are needed to help students, faculty and staff.
When Bradley first arrived at NMU, the office was known as Diversity Student Services. In his short two years at NMU, he changed the name to the Multi Educational Resource Center (MERC), and helped promote awareness of diversity on campus through several different grant programs.
Chantia Vann, senior early childhood development major, and MERC student worker, said she was surprised when Bradley announced his intention to leave. His last official day was Aug. 17.
"He took [MERC] to a higher level," she said. "He touched on every aspect of the office. He embraced the student body. He was an all-around good person."
Dean of Students Christine Greer said that though Bradley has left, MERC will still continue on in the path set by Bradley.
"Every campus needs to be multicultural," she said. "Northern has some barriers to that because we don't have many minority students on our campus. The office is important in serving the students, and in teaching multicultural education."
Though MERC is often thought of as only in place for minority students, Brozzo disagrees.
"A lot of people have the perception that (MERC) is only for students of color on campus, but that's not true, because we are here for all students," she said.
As MERC's director, Bradley primarily ran the Peer Advising Counseling Education (PACE) program, which provides incoming freshmen with a junior or senior as a mentor to help them transition from high school to college.
However, MERC will be hiring a part-time graduate assistant by the end of the week to oversee the PACE program, as well as other office duties, Brozzo said.
While a graduate student will be hired soon, the search for a new full-time director may not be in MERC's future.
Administrators will be seeking input through surveys and focus groups to determine what services are needed to help students, faculty and staff.
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