Dr. Melvin Cleveland TerrellFile photo
Southern Illinois University Carbondale has announced plans to honor Dr. Melvin Cleveland Terrell, a distinguished alumnus and trailblazing vice president for student affairs, through two interconnected initiatives: the establishment of the Dr. Melvin C. Terrell Special Collection at Morris Library and the renaming of Faner Hall's atrium in his honor. The university is seeking to raise $25,000 to support the preservation, digitization, and accessibility of the collection while renovating the atrium space—with more than $5,000 already raised.
The recognition celebrates a career spanning more than four decades, during which Terrell became a transformative figure in student affairs, institutional leadership, and the advancement of equity in higher education. Most notably, he served for 20 years as vice president for student affairs at Northeastern Illinois University, the longest tenure of any African American in that role at a predominantly white institution.
"It is one of the greatest honors of my life to receive this recognition from Southern Illinois University Carbondale," Terrell said in an interview. "As a student at SIU, I was challenged, supported, and transformed. I grew as both a scholar and a person. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that one day my intellectual contributions would be permanently connected to the University that helped shape who I am. I am certain my parents would be deeply proud of this legacy in education and of the naming of the Dr. Melvin C. Terrell Atrium in the College of Liberal Arts."
Terrell earned his Ph.D. in higher education administration and Black studies from SIU Carbondale, establishing a foundation that would propel him through a distinguished career. His early academic preparation included prestigious fellowships with the American Council on Education and postdoctoral studies at both Harvard University and the University of Virginia, positioning him at the forefront of scholarship on student development and institutional equity.
"Dr. Melvin Terrell didn't just shape the field of student affairs, he helped shape me," said Dr. Terrell L. Strayhorn, a prominent higher education scholar and one of Terrell's mentees. "As my mentor, he modeled what it looks like to lead with vision, deep collaboration, and an unwavering commitment to students, protégés, and early career professionals especially those who are too often overlooked."
For Strayhorn, the naming carries particular significance.
"Having an atrium bear his name at SIUC, his doctoral alma mater, feels exactly right: his legacy becomes a living, breathing space—one where people are welcomed, challenged, and reminded that student affairs, at its best, is about humanity."
As a prolific author and editor, Terrell has published more than 30 works that have shaped the field of student affairs and higher education administration. His scholarly contributions have earned him numerous national accolades, including the NASPA Outstanding Contribution to Literature or Research Award—making him the first person of color to earn this distinction in 35 years—and the Warrior Award from the International Colloquium on Black Males in Education. In recognition of his sustained impact, Northeastern Illinois University established the Melvin Cleveland Terrell Award for Outstanding Contribution to Research and Literature, ensuring his influence continues to inspire emerging scholars. The Melvin C. Terrell Educational Foundation, Inc., a nonprofit organization is dedicated to promoting excellence in the area of Student Affairs and supporting the next generation of practitioners.
The Dr. Melvin C. Terrell Special Collection will house the extensive personal and professional archives Terrell has chosen to leave to his alma mater. The collection will document his career trajectory, scholarship, and leadership philosophy, serving as a vital resource for current students, faculty, and future scholars studying the evolution of student affairs administration, diversity and inclusion initiatives, and institutional transformation in higher education.
The companion initiative—the renaming Faner Hall's atrium as The Dr. Melvin C. Terrell Atrium—will transform a central gathering space within the College of Liberal Arts into a permanent tribute to his influence. The atrium serves as a hub for student collaboration, dialogue, and community building, making it a fitting physical embodiment of Terrell's career-long commitment to creating spaces where all students can thrive.
Dr. Adriel A. Hilton, vice president of institutional strategy and chief of staff at Columbia College Chicago, noted the broader significance of the recognition.
"Dr. Melvin C. Terrell's name being permanently etched into the physical and intellectual landscape of Southern Illinois University Carbondale is both fitting and profound," Hilton said. "The naming of the atrium honors a leader whose work has shaped generations of students, scholars, and institutions, and whose influence extends far beyond any single campus."
Hilton, who also benefited from Terrell's mentorship, noted that the honor reflects deeper institutional values.
"This recognition affirms that visionary leadership, grounded in access, equity, and academic excellence, leaves an enduring legacy that continues to inspire long after formal titles conclude."
Throughout his career, Terrell became known not only for his administrative acumen but for his dedication to developing the next generation of higher education leaders. As an educator, mentor, and advocate, he shaped student development programs, fostered inclusive learning environments, and advanced the academic and professional success of Black, Hispanic, and majority students across the institutions he served. His influence can be traced through the careers of numerous scholars and administrators who credit him with providing mentorship, opportunity, and a model of leadership that centers student success and institutional equity. In 2017, several scholars published a Festschrift titled, Advancing Equity and Diversity in Student Affairs: A Festschrift in Honor of Melvin C. Terrell, which traced the scholar-practitioner's impact on the field.
"The dedication of the atrium in Dr. Melvin Terrell's honor represents more than a ceremonial moment," Hilton observed. "It is a public acknowledgment of a life devoted to strengthening higher education, expanding opportunity, and cultivating leadership with integrity and purpose. Dr. Terrell's career exemplifies what it means to serve with impact, and this honor ensures that future generations will encounter his legacy as they gather, learn, and imagine what is possible."
Those interested in supporting the Dr. Melvin C. Terrell initiatives can contribute here.
