Dear UVM Community,

Today I am sharing the bittersweet news that after 22 years at UVM, Bev Belisle will be stepping down as the Director of the Mosaic Center for Students of Color (MCS) on June 30, 2023.

Bev started her work at UVM in 2000 and has participated vigorously and lovingly in the advancement of the university, particularly for and with students, faculty, and staff of color. From serving on institution-wide committees and task forces to presidential search teams, Bev has been a leader and advocate who has changed UVM for the better. Among the many accolades she has earned during her tenure at UVM, Bev has been recognized as an Our Common Ground Award recipient in 2016 and was the inaugural recipient of the Dr. H. Lawrence McCrorey Award for Inclusive Excellence in 2022. She is also the namesake of a new scholarship campaign that provides important financial support for students to develop their talent at UVM while creating a more equitable, welcoming, and diverse community.

The work that has by far been the most valuable, and what Bev would say has been the most meaningful, is her work with students of color at UVM. She has faithfully facilitated the MCSC’s mission to enable the holistic success of students of color in a predominantly white educational setting and has cultivated a staff of professionals who develop culturally sensitive, equitable, and empowering practices and programs. Bev embodies a commitment to community, love, and support that we seek to advance throughout the UVM community.

A message from Bev to the MCSC community is copied below. Details on the search to identify Bev’s successor, as well as a farewell celebration, will be shared with the community soon. In the meantime, please join me in celebrating Bev for all she has done for the UVM community and thanking her for her many years of service to UVM.

Sincerely,

Amer F. Ahmed

Vice Provost for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Greetings Dear Community,

It is with mixed emotions that I write to share with you that my time as director of The Mosaic Center for Students of Color (MCSC) will soon be coming to an end.

I look forward to completing this semester at UVM and will step down from my position effective June 30,2023.

After 22 years at UVM and The MCSC, I believe it is the right moment to step aside and make way for new energy to lead the most meaningful body of work that I can imagine, the work of serving our BIPOC students and enabling their success.

Over the years, it has been a true honor to engage with so many talented, resilient and justice minded young adults who have opened their hearts to our team at The Center. Together we have constructed a community of care which I believe has boosted the success of many BIPOC individuals and changed the landscape of this institution and surrounding community for the better. I am proud of so many who have found ways to thrive in the face of challenge.

 I am especially grateful for the soul of The MCSC, our staff team (present and past), who serve with passion, expertise and dedication. A shout out of deep appreciation to my campus colleagues, too many of you to name individually, who work with us to realize our shared mission  to students of color at UVM.

There is more good work to be done and I look forward to passing the baton of leadership into the next set of capable hands.

Please be on the lookout for an end of semester farewell party.

Thank you all for allowing me this opportunity to serve you.

I will always feel that I am the fortunate one to have been called to share myself and my gifts with this community.

With so much love,

Bev