Nancy Black
Nancy Johnson Black, professor emerita, Social Science Department, received the Outstanding Contributions to Women’s Advancement in MnSCU Award by the Inter Faculty Organization (IFO) Board of Directors and Feminist Issues Committee (FIC). Black received the award during the annual Delegate Assembly Banquet on April 1.
Tamara Berg, IFO board representative from Winona State University and board liaison to the FIC, presented the award to Black for her six years of outstanding service as IFO president and her great strides in improving the lives of women faculty through her visionary leadership and tireless energy.
“I am deeply honored to have this award. The IFO, the faculty union which represents more than 3,800 faculty on the seven state universities in Minnesota, is the guiding force and backbone for addressing issues of equity and diversity within MnSCU. I learned so much from my colleagues over my 30-year career at Metropolitan State University; importantly, one must never be afraid to speak out, especially for those who feel they must remain voiceless. There is no greater reward for service than being respected by one’s colleagues,” said Black of the honor.
Black is the only IFO president to serve three terms and to sign four IFO contracts with MnSCU. After serving two terms as an effective IFO president, the membership again sought her leadership and elected her to serve as IFO president from 2012–2014. As president, Black’s priorities included domestic partner benefits, salary equity and transparency in faculty placement on the salary schedule. She also saw improving faculty salaries as a core responsibility and contract agreements included record increases of 8.7 percent and 11.2 percent.
In addition to teaching at Metropolitan State for nearly 30 years, Black cofounded the Social Science Department, developed its major and curriculum and was chair for the first nine years. She was active in local campus governance and a leader on Metropolitan State’s Women’s Commission, chair of the Women’s History Month planning committee and a member of the Women’s Studies Consortium.