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Adulting, relationships, and navigating a predominantly white institution (PWI) are just some of the topics that Black female Southern Illinois University Edwardsville students crowd into Kelly Atkins’ office to talk about. 

Many Black female students were also turning up at counseling services, shared Atkins, assistant director of Student Success in the Office of Retention and Student Services. 

“They are looking for a place of calm,” added Atkins. “They want to feel heard and be seen by University officials, and so we created a place for them to do that.” 

Spill The Tea, is the brainchild of collaboration efforts between Counseling Services and Atkins. Led by Atkins and professional counselors Adriana Givens and Shervonti Norman, this group affords Black and Brown women an opportunity to visit and discuss life’s topics in an informal setting. Black faculty and staff are encouraged to attend the Thursday monthly meetings to listen to, support and engage with students of color, noted Atkins. 

The Spill the Tea sessions started January 2023, and the group’s last session of the semester was held Thursday, April 20 and had more than 50 students in attendance. 

“What is vital for retention and success in school is having support systems in place for students to not only survive, but thrive,” said Atkins, who is working on a doctorate in education. “My dissertation’s focus is on this very topic, implementing services that create and provide a “culture of care” for Black students.” 

“Some of our students come to school with a healthy amount of anxiety,” she continued. “There are things going on in their households and communities, and then they come to SIUE and are thrown into adulting and transitioning into college. If these challenges are left unaddressed, it could set the tone for academic and retention concerns. Spill the Tea aims to address these concerns through connection and community.” 

The results of the monthly meetings have been positive and encouraging, reported Atkins. 

“I’ve seen students who now because they have an outlet, have been able to focus on their classes and grades,” she added. “I’m seeing more ownership of where they want to be academically and in their majors. Last semester, I had several Black females who were below a 2.0 GPA. I’m excited to say a lot of them are pulling their grades up.” 

The students are also forming friendships and motivating one another, noted Atkins. “Community is vital and cultural for Black people.” 

The success of the group has spilled over into other parts of the University as there is a plan to offer a similar resource to Black males at SIUE next academic year. 

Spill The Tea will resume its monthly meetings in fall 2023. 

Photos:
SIUE students participate in Spill the Tea conversation. 

Senior Academic Advisor Danita Mumphard stresses a point during the conversation. 

(L-R): Atkins, Givens and Norman.