In celebration of Black History Month, The Stute, in partnership with the Office of Student Culture and Belonging, proudly highlights the contributions of Black administrators who shape our university’s future. These individuals play a vital role in fostering an inclusive and dynamic campus community through leadership, advocacy, and innovation. This series will spotlight their achievements, journeys, and impact on Stevens and beyond. By sharing their stories, we honor their dedication and amplify the voices that continue to inspire progress. Join us throughout the month as we recognize these remarkable leaders and their commitment to excellence, diversity, and student success at Stevens.
Dr. Takeem L. Dean
- What is your role on campus, and how long have you been here?
- Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs, 2 years and 2 months.
- What does Black History Month mean to you?
- While I celebrate Black History every day, during its designated month, it allows for a peak into the window of excellence, legacy, and the impact Black/African-American people had and continue to have on the world.
- What initiatives or projects are you most proud of being involved in?
- I am most proud of our work to celebrate and recognize Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s lifelong impact on the world. This initiative went from a day to a week-long celebration. It is one of the most attended and impactful events on campus.
LaToyia Carter
What is your role on campus, and how long have you been here? In my seven years, 11 months tenue as the primary point of contact for the VP Office of Facilities and Campus Operations, I provide executive administrative support to the VP and Facilities Operations support campus-wide, while also coordinating departmental events to foster morale and camaraderie. My responsibilities extend to serving as an HR recruiter and leading special projects as assigned. Beyond my role in the VP Office, I have taken the initiative to establish an affinity group aimed at building a sense of community among Black staff and strengthening connections between black staff, students, and faculty. I co-hosted the Women of Color Connect event for two years and have proudly served as the Advisor to the Black Student Union (BSU) for two consecutive years. Additionally, I have been an active member of the MLK Week of Service Planning Committee. I continue to play a leadership role in formalizing the university’s first-ever Staff Advisory Council, aligning with Goal 7 of the Stevens Strategic 10-Year Plan (2022-2032). In 2020, I had the privilege of serving on The President’s Task Force on Equity and Inclusion Excellence, where I contributed to examining and enhancing Stevens’ commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion through thoughtful recommendations for improvement.
What does Black History Month mean to you? Being Black is an identity I fully embrace and take great pride in. I love the beautiful diversity within our community—our varying shades of melanin, unique hair textures and styles, bold fashion sense, forward-thinking mindset, brilliance, and resilience. Despite the challenges placed upon us simply because of the color of our skin, we continue to rise, innovate, and make significant contributions to society.
Black History Month is a time when we can be BLACK, BOLD AND PROUD!! It’s a time to honor and celebrate those contributions—both past and present—that have helped shape our culture, community, America and the world. It provides an opportunity to reflect, learn our rich history beyond what was not taught in schools, and recognize the profound impact of Black excellence. For me, it is also a call to action. As I am committed to fostering inclusion and equity, I embrace this month not just as a moment of celebration, but as a reminder to continue my work in creating meaningful change—on and off campus—through service, advocacy, and community-building all year long.
What initiatives or projects are you most proud of being involved in? I am most proud of my involvement in the Women of Color Connect events, serving as the Advisor for the Black Student Union (BSU), and leading the newly formed Stevens Staff Advisory Council. These initiatives have reinforced my commitment to driving positive change within the community while also deepening my understanding of Stevens’ landscape. They have allowed me to identify areas for improvement, enhance engagement, and foster meaningful collaborations with colleagues across the university—connections that may not have naturally formed within the scope of my formal role. More importantly, these efforts have allowed me to do what I am most passionate about—advocating for those who are underrepresented or underserved, whether due to race, gender, or position held within the university. Through this work, I have had the opportunity to help shape the culture at Stevens, fostering a more inclusive and supportive community.
