CSUSB’s Office of Black Student Success (OBSS), in collaboration with the Black Faculty, Staff and Student Association (BFSSA), hosted the second annual Black Faculty Promotion and Awards Celebration, recognizing the professional achievements, leadership and lasting impact of Black faculty and staff across the university.

The event brought together CSUSB students, faculty, staff and community members to celebrate the honorees’ accomplishments and the vital role Black educators and professionals play in advancing excellence, representation and student success at the university.

In his welcome remarks, Anthony Roberson, associate director of the Santos Manuel Student Union Operations and BFSSA president, reflected on the importance of the gathering.

“Today we are here to recognize and uplift the extraordinary accomplishments of the Black faculty and staff here at CSUSB,” he said. “This celebration is more than recognition of a professional milestone — it’s an affirmation of excellence, resilience and leadership that continues to inspire our students, colleagues and the community.”

CSUSB President Tomás D. Morales (middle) congratulated event honorees (from left) Reneisha Wilkes, EOP Renaissance Scholars Program coordinator; Kristi Papailler, professor of theatre arts; Annika Anderson, professor of sociology; and Nicole Henley, professor of health science and human ecology.
CSUSB President Tomás D. Morales (middle) congratulated event honorees (from left) Reneisha Wilkes, EOP Renaissance Scholars Program coordinator; Kristi Papailler, professor of theatre arts; Annika Anderson, professor of sociology; and Nicole Henley, professor of health science and human ecology.

During the event, OBSS student assistants introduced each of the honorees and read their biographies, adding a personal touch to the program. Each honoree chose a personally meaningful song to play before and after their remarks, setting the tone for their reflections on their journey, career milestones and the people who inspired them.

This year’s honorees included:

  • Annika Anderson, professor of sociology, department chair, and executive director of Project Rebound
  • Nicole Henley, professor of health science and human ecology and interim department chair
  • Kristi Papailler, professor of theatre arts
  • Reneisha Wilkes, EOP Renaissance Scholars Program coordinator, lecturer in the Office of Academic Success & Undergraduate Advising, and recipient of the Outstanding Professional Advisor Award

Wilkes was honored and humbled to earn the Outstanding Professional Advisor Award and be recognized for doing what has always come naturally to her — help others.

“Receiving the Outstanding Professional Advisor Award has truly been one of the highlights of my higher education career,” said Wilkes. “I take great joy and pride in serving as the EOP Renaissance Scholars Program coordinator, and I am deeply honored to be recognized among such inspiring colleagues.

“Special shout out and thank you to CSUSB Academic Success and Undergraduate Advising, the Office of Black Student Success, the Educational Opportunity Program, and the EOP Renaissance Scholars Program for their continued support and commitment to student success.”

During her remarks, Wilkes discussed the struggles she overcame as a student at CSUSB and how an act of kindness from a staff member changed the trajectory of her life, planting a seed that inspired her to help other students in need and dedicate her career to service.

Papailler with her student Jalonis Taylor, a theatre arts major who spoke at the event and shared the positive impact she has had on his life.
Papailler with her student Jalonis Taylor, a theatre arts major who spoke at the event and shared the positive impact she has had on his life.

Building on Wilkes’ remarks, Papailler shared her path to theatre arts and her experiences teaching at CSUSB. Student Jalonis Taylor, a theatre arts major, offered heartfelt words about her influence, praising her as “a wonderful person, professor, and theatre advisor” who has helped him stay on track toward graduation.

Henley followed, noting that she and Anderson both began their careers at CSUSB a decade ago. In her remarks, she highlighted the underrepresentation of Black women in higher education, sharing that Black women only made up about 2 percent of tenured full professors nationwide in 2019.

Henley reflected on her own path to becoming a full professor, describing it as nonlinear and grounded in the support of family and mentors. She shared that her journey toward college began when a group of college students visited her Milwaukee high school — an experience that changed her plans to join the Air Force. Henley closed her remarks with a reading of the poem “Our Deepest Fear” by Marianne Williamson.

Closing out the remarks, Anderson shared her professional journey and the challenges she overcame growing up. She explained that she hadn’t planned to pursue a career in academia, originally aspiring to work in forensic science. Anderson reflected on how facing adversity and racism shaped her perspective, helping her to see things differently than others.

The celebration, held on Sept. 25, highlighted not only the honorees’ achievements but also the collective effort to fostering belonging, opportunity and success for all in higher education — values central to CSUSB’s mission.