Traci Williams

Candidate

Farwest Regional Director

Strategies for Sustainability at Predominantly White Institutions (PWIs)

Goal: Ensure chapters remain viable, visible, and resilient amid evolving campus climates.

Understanding the Current Campus Climate

Across many Farwest campuses, institutions are adjusting policies to align with current government guidelines affecting diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. These shifts have resulted in:

Reduced or restructured DEI offices.
Limitations on race-centered programming language.
Increased scrutiny of culturally-based student organizations.
Changes in funding models tied to student equity programming.
Heightened political polarization impacting campus dialogue.

For Black students and Black Greek Lettered Organizations (BGLOs), this can mean:

Less institutional advocacy support.
Fewer designated cultural spaces.
Increased pressure to justify mission and programming.
Challenges in recruitment due to declining Black student enrollment at some PWIs.
Emotional fatigue from navigating racial tensions.

In this environment, sustainability requires both strategy and solidarity.

Recruitment & Retention Strategy

Develop campus-specific recruitment plans grounded in data.
Strengthen relationships with:
- Black Student Unions
- Multicultural centers (where still operational)
- First-year experience programs
Host “Interest to Impact” informational forums early in each semester.
Provide regional marketing templates and social media support.

Institutional Navigation Training

Annual training on:
- Understanding campus policies and student organization charters.
- Risk management under revised institutional rules.
- Funding advocacy strategies.
- Equip chapter leaders with language that aligns mission-driven programming with institutional priorities (leadership development, civic engagement, academic excellence).

BGLO Unity & Coalition Building

Facilitate D9 roundtables in the region.
Encourage joint programming where appropriate to maximize impact and visibility.
Share resources and risk-management best practices across organizations.

Visibility & Value Positioning

Equip chapters with impact-report templates to document service hours, scholarship dollars, and community engagement.
Annual “State of the Chapter” reporting model.
Strengthen relationships with campus administrators by positioning Delta as a leadership development partner—not just a social organization.

Mental Health & Sister Care

Provide wellness workshops addressing:
Racial battle fatigue
Imposter syndrome
Burnout
Promote sister check-in practices within chapters.
Normalize asking for help.

Transition