About Us

The Melvin C. Terrell Educational Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting excellence in the area of Student Affairs.

Founded in 2007 under the leadership of Dr. Melvin Cleveland Terrell, with the support and guidance of Dr. Roosevelt Littleton, Jr., a former president of NASAP, the Foundation seeks to provide opportunities for college student educators to enhance their talents, experiences, and skills. This is made possible through grants, scholarships, internships, etc. enabling them to better prepare students for future leadership roles in a global society. Today, the Dr. Melvin C. Terrell Educational Foundation is incorporated in the state of Florida.

We Aim To Diversify Higher Education & Student Affairs.

The mission of the Dr. Melvin C. Terrell Educational Foundation, Inc. is to provide support for African American, LatinX and other underrepresented groups through scholarships, grants and professional development.

To significantly diversify the profession of higher education and student affairs.

The Dr. Melvin C. Terrell Educational Foundation seeks philanthropic support for its research, scholarship, professional development and leadership programs.

The Foundation seeks funding through direct member appeals, grants, corporate giving and individual gifts and bequests. You have the opportunity to contribute to the Foundation in a variety of ways.

The Foundation achieves its mission and goals through selective funding of programs and services:

    • ​Raising Funds for Minority Students, including contributions from the public as well as pledges that are contributed by the Foundation’s Board Members.
    • Research in Student Affairs, including identifying practices and programs that illustrate best practices, enhance the learning experience and foster African American student development.

The Dr. Melvin C. Terrell Educational Foundation was designed and developed to support the organization’s activities related to the development of student affairs personnel and education of culturally diverse students. The Foundation seeks funding necessary to carry out the programs of the organization. The foundation seeks funds that may be allocated for, but not limited to:

    1. Research publications, position papers, serials, and monographs.
    2. Financial assistance for student affairs graduate students and grants-in-aid for scholarly student development research. 
    3. Establishment of a foundation staff and a permanent office facility.
    4. Establishment of endowment for continued growth of the organization.
    5. Professional development and training for student leaders.
    6. Professional development and training for new, mid-level, and senior Student Affairs personnel

Our Founder

Dr. Melvin Cleveland Terrell earned his B.S.Ed. Degree (1971) in History and Secondary Education from Chicago State University and his M.Ed. (1974) in College Student Personnel from Loyola University (Chicago). Dr. Terrell is a life member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and was the chair of the Education committee in Toledo, OH from 1986-1988. He received his Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration and Black Studies from Southern Illinois University Carbondale (1978) and he has continued postdoctoral studies at Harvard University and the University of Virginia.

Executive Leadership

Dr. Martino Harmon

Chair

Dr. D’Andra Mull

Vice Chair

Mr. Michael N. Weaver Jr.

Executive Secretary

Dr. Shawna Patterson-Stephens

Executive Treasurer

Board Member

Adriel A. Hilton, Ph.D

Board Member

Terrell Strayhorn, Ph.D

Board Member

Candace M. Moore, Ph.D

Board Member

Cherese F. Fine, Ph.D

Board Member

Dawn Person, Ed.D

Board Member

Tiffany F. Boykin, Ph.D, Esq

Board Member

Jamal Watson, Ph.D

Board Member

Jamie Washington, Ph.D

Board Member

Jason Wallace, Ph.D

Board Member

Melissa Shivers, Ph.D

Board Member

Tierney Bates, Ed.D

Board Member

Tryan L. McMickens, Ed.D

Board Member

Tymon Graham, Ed.D

Board Member

Gregory Roberts, Ed.S.