Alderson Broaddus is a community of difference: of denomination, of geography, of language, of background, of conviction. We believe that genuine learning happens when students from different parts of West Virginia, the United States, and the world live, learn, and worship together — and that an authentic Christian university is one where every person is recognized as bearing dignity and gift.
Our students come from 36 U.S. states and 28 countries. About 28% of our undergraduates identify as students of color, 42% are first in their families to attend college, and 8% are international. AB is a long-standing partner with the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities and a member institution of the West Virginia Independent Colleges & Universities consortium.
The Office of Belonging & Inclusion, located in Withers Hall, supports affinity groups, partners with Academic Affairs on inclusive pedagogy, and runs faculty and staff development around bias awareness, accessible teaching, and equitable hiring. The office hosts weekly programming, sponsors annual heritage celebrations, and produces the AB Climate Survey every two years.
In 2024 the Board of Trustees adopted the Strategic Plan for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, a five-year framework with measurable goals across recruitment, retention, curriculum, climate, and community partnerships.
The roots of belonging at Alderson Broaddus run deep. In 1964, the physical assets and endowment of Storer College — a historically Black Baptist institution founded in 1865 at Harpers Ferry, host of the 1906 Niagara Movement meeting that gave rise to the NAACP — were transferred to Alderson-Broaddus as the closest Baptist institution prepared to honor that trust.
AB accepted with a promise: that the Storer mission of opening doors would continue on College Hill. That promise is kept today in three living forms:
For AB, "diversity" is not a present-day policy bolted onto an older institution. It is an inheritance, carried forward.
Read AB HistoryTwelve recognized affinity groups, each with its own programming budget, faculty advisor, and dedicated meeting space.
Established 1971. Annual Black Alumni Weekend in February.
CulturalHeritage Month celebrations and Spanish-language events.
CulturalCross-cultural programming, Friday Global Cafe, and travel weekends.
IdentitySafe-zone trainings, ally support, and the annual Spectrum Pride Week.
BackgroundMentoring, study workshops, and the "FirstGen Friday" lunch series.
FaithMonthly facilitated conversations between students of both faiths.
FaithJewish student life, weekly Shabbat dinner, annual Passover seder.
ServiceSupport and advocacy for student veterans and their families.
IdentityMentoring, conference travel, and faculty role-model dinners.
CulturalLunar New Year banquet, cultural programming, peer mentorship.
IdentityAdvocacy, awareness programming, and accessibility audits.
BackgroundCommunity for students 25+ returning to college.
Five priority areas with measurable goals.
Increase students of color to 35% and first-generation to 50% of incoming classes by 2029. Strengthen pipelines from Mountain West, Mid-Atlantic, and Caribbean partner schools.
Close all six-year graduation-rate gaps among demographic groups. Annual climate survey with public dashboards; biennial focus groups led by external consultant.
Every Hilltop Core course must demonstrate intercultural competency. Annual faculty institute on inclusive pedagogy. Diversify reading lists across all schools.
Quarterly "Battlers Listen" sessions for staff and students. Bias-incident reporting and response protocol with full transparency.
Deepen partnerships with Town of Philippi, Barbour County NAACP, the WV Hispanic Alliance, and Native sovereign-nation educational programs.
Search-committee training mandatory for every search; cluster-hiring of underrepresented faculty across schools; mentoring for early-career faculty of color.
The Office of Belonging & Inclusion sits in Withers Hall, second floor, with the Office of Spiritual Life and the Wellness Center as immediate neighbors. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5 PM. Students may stop by without appointment for any reason — to share an idea, voice a concern, find a community, or just sit on the couch.
The office is led by Marlee Brockman, MEd, who previously served at Penn State and Howard University before joining AB in 2023. Her staff includes a part-time Coordinator for International Student Services, a Coordinator for First-Generation Student Programs, three student staff members, and faculty fellows from each of the four schools.
Quick contact: [email protected] · (304) 457-6378 · Withers Hall 215.
