Jazmyne Kellogg

Jazmyne Kellogg

Director
jkello3@illinois.edu

Jazmyne Kellogg is the  Director of the Bruce D. Nesbitt African American Cultural Center at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. A native of Homewood, IL, Jazmyne received her bachelor’s degree in sociology with a minor in psychology from Illinois Wesleyan University. She then went on to work for the University of Illinois as an Admissions Counselor in the Chicago Satellite Office. Her passions lie at the intersections of social justice and educational policy. Her experiences navigating the intricacies of the educational system inspired her to pursue a Master’s degree in education policy from the University of Washington. Jazmyne brings a diverse skill set to the institution from program and policy creation, evaluation, implementation and assessment to her uncanny ability to be innovative and create and facilitate workshops.

While serving at BNAACC, she hopes to continue the fight for the visibility, recognition, and celebration of all Black students with the goal to maximize equity, access, and opportunity for them and all Illinois’ students.

Shawn Hampton Interim Associate Director

 

Shawn Hampton

Interim Associate Director
Hampton5@illinois.edu

Shawn Hampton is the Interim Associate Director of the Bruce D. Nesbitt African American Cultural Center at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Growing up in the southern Chicago suburb of Calumet City, Illinois, Shawn is a two-time graduate of the University of Illinois, having earned a B.S. in Psychology and an MBA from Gies. Having worked in healthcare and organ and tissue donation for over 15 years, Shawn returned to Illinois to begin his work in 2018 on a Ph. D in Education Policy, Organization Leadership with a concentration of Diversity and Equity. Shawn brings a dynamic skill set to the center to improve student success, engagement, retention, graduation, and motivation while utilizing culturally responsive evaluation and assessment.

As a proud first-generation college student and a product of the Office of Minority Student Affairs (OMSA), Shawn’s aim is to inspire, empower, and support all students who engage with the center so their experiences at Illinois are positive and unforgettable.

Cherisse Smith

Cherisse Smith

Assistant Director
cherisse@illinois.edu

Cherisse Smith is the Assistant Director of the Bruce D. Nesbitt African American Cultural Center. Cherisse hails from Detroit, Michigan and completed her Bachelor of Social Work at Northern Michigan University in 2016. Following that, she attended Southern Illinois University-Carbondale where she obtained her Masters degree in Higher Education and Student Affairs. She has spent the vast majority of her professional career supporting Black students and helping them to feel welcomed. Whether advising Black student organizations or curating events that celebrate Black culture in all its facets, helping Black students find a home away from home has always been at the forefront of her practice. She looks forward to being a part of your college journey.

Valeri Nesbitt-Howard

Valeri Nesbitt-Howard

Office Manager
vahoward@illinois.edu

Valeri Nesbitt-Howard, joined the Bruce D. Nesbitt African American Cultural Center (BNAACC) staff in January of 2015 as the Office Support Associate.  She assists with the day-to-day operations of the BNAACC including greeting callers and visitors, purchasing programming supplies, managing the facilities, scheduling  space requests, processing paperwork, and maintaining financial records. Valeri attended Central State University and majored in Communications. Currently in her free time she enjoys spending time with her lovely family as well as her church family, Jericho Missionary Baptist Church, loves traveling, networking, reading,    mentoring and cooking. Val will continue to help build, encourage, and inspire others as they pursue their life journeys. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13