Bentley brings her ambitions to ULV

photo by Liz Lucsko

Cross Cultural Programs Director Keisha Bentley joined the Multicultural Research team in September 2001. Bentley graduated with a Master of Arts in developmental psychology from Columbia University in New York. Bentley is co-adviser for La Verne's African American Student Alliance and advisor to Sister's Circle.

by Nick Schober
Staff Writer

This past September, a very welcome gift was given to the Institute for Multicultural Research and Campus Diversity in the form of Keisha Bentley.

Since starting at the University of La Verne, Bentley has already set into action a myriad of campus events, spanning all races and ethnicities that keep in tune the university's mission of commitment to diversity.

"I like the size of the campus it allows for so much more interaction and activity," Bentley said.

She decided to chose ULV because the work she has done and will be doing falls right along with her graduate course work.

Only 26 years old, Bentley is one of the youngest staff members at ULV.

She has already completed her master's degree of developmental psychology with an emphasis in academic and social success of at risk students from Columbia University. Bentley completed her undergraduate work at Howard University in Washington.

Before joining the ULV team, Bentley worked for her alma mater, Columbia University, in the student activities department.

She has also worked for an educational consulting firm.

Since coming to ULV, Bentley has dipped her foot in a little bit of everything. In addition to teaching a Core 310 class, International and Intercultural Experience, she also teaches a Core 305, Service Learning for the AVID program.

Acting as the crosscultural programs director for the Institute for Multicultural Research and Campus Diversity, Bentley has definitely filled her own plate by creating organizations and activities specific to the needs of students.

"Last year we did some research with black females and found that they were feeling a little unconnected, so we started the Sister's Circle," Bentley said.

The Sister's Circle was implemented this past November and has had a profound influence since.

Bentley also helped along the Brother's Forum, administrating and delegating the distribution of scholarships.

Bentley is also heavily involved with the African American Student Alliance, acting as a director of sorts.

"You usually do not get to focus solely on the black student population it is usually all ethnicities in general," Bentley said.

Bentley has also spear­headed the First Generation Student Success Program, a program that is not race or gender specific, that offers scholarships and workshops in order to help students whose parents did not graduate from college.

Already planned for the rest of this year is a Latino Graduation Celebration Bentley is working on with counterpart Daniel Loera.

The celebration will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. on Saturday in the Student Center.

There is also an African American Graduation celebration from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, May 24 in Founders Auditorium.

Tickets are required for both events and can be acquired free at the IMCRD offices in the Student Center.

Also, in honor of Asian Pacific Islander Heritage month, Bentley has succeeded in bringing guest speaker Kip Fulbeck to speak about the common American misconception of the Asian Pacific Islander.

There is no rest for the weary either.

Bentley is already excited about events that are ready to go for next year.