For William Zhou, second-year management professor at Sacred Heart University, being selected as a North Star Collective (NSC) fellow was a moment that was nothing short of surreal.
The NSC is a group of New England colleges and universities working toward racial equity. Its members are committed to supporting and uplifting Black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC) faculty on their campuses.
“Receiving the news that I received the fellowship was incredible,” Zhou said. “The feeling of gratitude and top-down support that came with the news was irreplaceable.”
The semester-long North Star Collective Fellowship was created by and for BIPOC faculty from NSC-member institutions. Grounded in tenets of reparative justice, the fellowship provides mentorship and professional development for faculty in all fields. Fellows receive a stipend, participate in writing retreats, discussions and professional development workshops.
Zhou teaches two classes at the university, at the graduate and undergraduate levels. His research passion lies in entrepreneurship, particularly in providing training to future generations of BIPOC entrepreneurs and helping them break into spaces from which they’ve been historically excluded.
“In my experience, BIPOC inventors and entrepreneurs often have great ideas or great technology, but they sometimes fail to qualify for the same opportunities as others,” he said. “This fellowship will provide me with the necessary resources to research how we can break down barriers and train future generations.”
“At my first workshop, many faculty members discussed instances of injustice from their school, but I couldn’t help but think about how lucky I am,” Zhou said. “I’m honored to work at an institution that not only has a diverse network of faculty and students but also is an institution that prioritizes supporting its community.”
Maurice Nelson, the university’s chief diversity and inclusion officer, said Zhou’s hard work and dedication earned him the fellowship. “Dr. Zhou’s selection for this prestigious fellowship reflects his outstanding contributions to entrepreneurship, scholarship and innovation,” Nelson said. “We are incredibly proud of his achievement.”
Zhou isn’t the first SHU faculty member to receive the NSC fellowship. Seung Whan Ryu, assistant professor of management, and Jonix Owino, assistant professor of psychology, completed the fellowships previously.
The university’s Office for Inclusive Excellence works hard to provide meaningful experiences for students and employees alike, including pursuing avenues that result in this type of fellowship.
Nelson emphasized the work the university does for its faculty as well as the importance of the fellowship. “At Sacred Heart University, we are committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment where all faculty, especially those from historically underrepresented backgrounds, can thrive,” he said. “The NSC fellowship is a vital initiative that not only provides professional development but also creates a space for mentorship, healing and community building for BIPOC faculty.”
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