'We want to make sure we're heard'

FINDLAY — When Lynnishia Foster started classes at Owens Community College in January 2024, she saw a list of campus clubs with the Black Student Union on it — but no one knew anything about it. Foster decided to do something about it, revitalizing the BSU and serving as the president. She's now the vice president and working to leave the BSU in a better place than when she found it. "The main goal for us is, 'What is this going to look like when we pass it down?' Every move is thinking about the next people who will take the torch," Foster said. Participation in the BSU and other registered student organizations waned because of lack of student interest, but thanks to the efforts of Foster and other students, those organizations are making a comeback. For Foster, BSU president Chalisa Rocker and treasurer Isaiah Brenneman, the BSU is about three main ideas: representation, community and networking. "We want to make sure we're heard," Rocker said. "If you're around people who don't look like you, it can be intimidating. Having that space and feeling at home and community is important." Brenneman added that is about being somewhere you can feel comfortable. "It's not something that's too crazy, it's simple, but sometimes simple matters," Brenneman said. "We give students the opportunity to come together and connect that may have not known each other before." Through those connections, the group is reaching out into the Owens community and beyond. They host fundraisers, educational events, student outreach events and networking opportunities. They've also recently began volunteering with Connecting Kids to Meals, an organization in Toledo that serves no-cost meals to kids ages 18 and younger. They've also hosted various events throughout Black History Month, including a cookie sale. Events include a recent panel discussion on work-life balance, the second annual Taste of Soul lunch on Feb. 26, and a screening and discussion of the movie "The Great Debaters" on Feb. 27. "We might be a community college, but we're still a college, and everyone should have the college experience," Brenneman said. "We've got to find a way for students to have that experience even though they're not living on campus. "That's why we want to host these events and get people together. That's good for the college, us getting these students together and giving them a fun experience at Owens, when they leave, they can say, 'I had a fun experience at Owens.' Not only does it boost the image of the Black Student Union but for Owens overall." Troy Brown, Owens manager of recruitment, and Janice Hall, Owens admissions recruiter, serve as the staff advisors for the BSU. According to Brown, having an organization like the BSU is vitally important to provide a sense of belonging for students at the college. "The essence and spirit of the college and university Black Student Union organizations rose from minority students being excluded from traditional college campus organizations. In fact, the first BSU was recognized in 1966 at San Francisco State University," Brown said. "Research shows that underrepresented college students that have a personal connection to their campus and tend to be successful students because they are accessing the various academic resources that are available. Hosting events and opportunities to gather and unite enhances the student-first experience here at Owens Community College." The BSU at Owens is an all-inclusive, open-membership organization, according to Rocker. Students do not need to be of African-American heritage to participate. For her, it's important to see students step out and experience the traditions and culture of various backgrounds. "We're not just for us, we're for other people who want to know about our culture. You need to learn about other people and other ethnicities. We want to be able to relate or have compassion for other people," Rocker said. Rocker, Foster and Brenneman are bringing a renewed energy and focus to the BSU. Rocker said one of her consistent messages is to create a strong foundation for the organization so it can be passed on to a new set of leaders and continue to grow and thrive. "We want to make sure we have a solid foundation so we can pass it on and have that longevity, so that when we graduate, it doesn't go dormant," Rocker said. Brown said their impact can reach beyond the BSU and into the African-American community at large. "They are servant leaders who demand excellence for our campus and our community," Brown said. "BSU is providing a solid foundation in transformational, shared and adaptive leadership strategies for our students. These innate skills will help them build our community in the long run." For more information on the BSU and other student organizations, visit owens.edu.