COMMISSIONS - Professionals of Color Commission

Karla Benson Rutten & Joel Mixon - POCC Co-Chairs, 07/08

History & Purpose of the Professionals of Color Commission (POCC)
The Minnesota College Personnel Association (MCPA), a division of the American College Personnel Association (ACPA), has a long-standing tradition of providing professional development, networking, and recognition opportunities for professionals working in higher education.  In the early 1990s, MCPA established the Professionals of Color Commission (POCC) to provide a space of connection, community, and coalition-building for professionals of color working in Minnesota colleges and universities. 

Grounded in the recognition that, historically, professionals of color in higher education have often been marginalized and/or experienced difficulty having their needs, challenges, experiences, and cultures validated and embraced, the purpose of the POCC space is to empower its members through support, nurturance, problem-solving, and community building.  In addition, we hope to provide an avenue through which the members of POCC and MCPA can develop strategies to become more effective change agents for institutional transformation as it relates to the success of professionals of color as well as students of color in institutions of higher education in Minnesota and beyond.

Mission

The mission of the Professionals of Color Commission within MCPA is threefold:

• To increase the membership and presence of professionals of color within higher education professional associations (i.e., MCPA, ACPA, NASPA, etc.);

• To provide a space for professionals of color within higher education to network and socialize together throughout the academic year; and

• To create opportunities for senior leaders of color within higher education to serve as mentors to younger professionals of color.

Responsibilities of the POCC

• Solicit sessions related to and for professionals of color for the annual MCPA conference;

• Market the annual MCPA Conference to professionals of color state-wide;

• Provide input and support in the annual MCPA Conference planning process;

• Attend MCPA Board of Director meetings and report on issues/processes pertaining to the Chair's duties;

• Stay up to date on the relevant MCPA Board business meetings;

• Conduct on-going meetings with the commission representatives to explore the needs (and strategies to meet the needs) of a diverse population of student affairs professionals concerned with issues impacting students and professionals of color;

• lead the Professionals of Color Commission session at the annual MCPA Conference.

2007-2008 POCC Calendar of Events

• August 15th, 2pm — 1st Networking Social (University of St. Thomas)

• October 22nd-23rd — MCPA Conference Reception & Formal Mtg* (Duluth)

• December 13, 10am-Noon — 2nd Networking Social (North Hennepin Community College)

• February 20, 10am-Noon — Formal meeting (Metropolitan State University)

• March 29-April 2 — ACPA Conference Reception (Atlanta, GA)

• May 21 — End of Year Closing Event (Macalester College)

Contact the '07-'08 POCC Co-Chairs
 

If you have questions about the POCC, want to learn more, and/or want to share comments or ideas, please contact one of the co-chairs. We look forward to hearing from you!