AAFSA In-the-Spotlight Recipient

 Dr. JeffriAnne Wilder

Assistant Professor of Sociology 

Department of Sociology & Anthropology 

What do you do at UNF?  

I am an Assistant Professor of Sociology in the College of Arts and Sciences and I am going into my sixth year with the University of North Florida. 

Tell us something that would surprise people to know about you?  

For two years I used to be a hip hop dancer in a dance company in Cleveland, Ohio.  I also taught kickboxing.

What are some of your accomplishments or community involvement? Some of my community involvements include:   

• Currently the Associate Chair of the UNF Commission on Diversity and Inclusion  (CODI)
• Upcoming CODI Chair for the 2013-2015 term
• Awarded the McKnight Junior Faculty Fellow (2012-2013)
• Awarded the UNF Diversity and Inclusion Research Award in 2012
• Received the  UNF Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching Award in 2011
• Partnered with the Ritz Theatre and Museum to develop a structured internship program which enables UNF students to assist the museum with community research projects and with the Young Black Intellectuals, a program for 8-12th grade students centered on African-American history and culture 

What person had the greatest impact on your life?  

The person who has had the greatest impact on my life is my 18 month old daughter, Lela.  She is changing my life in so many ways.  I want to accomplish more because of her.  Having Lela as helped to prioritize what is most important to me based on what is best for her.

What is your favorite thing about working at UNF?  

The students.  It is really wonderful to be able to have an impact on their experiences here at the university.  As a professor of color it is important to for students to see diversity in higher education.

What are you passionate about?  

I am passionate about research.   My main area of research focuses on the issue of colorism—bias and discrimination based upon skin tone, hair texture and other phenotypic features—in the black community.  I am also interested in the experiences of minority graduate students and/or faculty in higher education, as well as the contemporary experiences of black Americans and other racial/ethnic minorities.

Why did you join AAFSA and how do you feel AAFSA benefited you?   

I joined AAFSA for the opportunity to meet other people across campus.  AAFSA is a great way for people to stay connected through the different committees and events it sponsors.  It is also beneficial as a recruitment tool for someone with a family who is looking a position with UNF.  With all of AAFSA’s progress since it was formed on campus, AAFSA is a great model for other groups on campus.