NIU could have been worse off if LaVerne Gyant had followed her original career path of retail sales to a job at Macy’s.

But she didn’t, and Gyant now is in her eighth year as director at the Center for Black Studies.

“At the center, I am responsible for the day-to-day administration of the center,” she said. “I go to meetings, write reports, smooth crises over and teach about three classes.”

The Center for Black Studies, built in 1993, serves as an academic program featuring undergraduate courses related to African-American culture. Additionally, the center collects data on the minority experience at NIU.

Admasu Zike, associate vice provost for academic support services, said the center gives students a different perspective.

“It provides a unique and different perspective on academic enterprises,” he said.

Gyant loves providing that perspective and considers her interaction with students the best part of her job.

“I love interacting with students and getting to know them,” she said. “A large part of my job is getting people to understand what we do here at the center and make them recognize that the center’s doors are open to everyone.”

Despite her enthusiasm for her job, Gyant almost took a completely different career path. It was a Big Brother at Penn state who convinced her to take a second look at teaching.

Gyant’s job does have its low points, however.

“Going to meetings is my least favorite part of my job,” she said. “If we could function without going to a meeting consistently, I would be one happy woman.”

In her position, Gyant witnesses the state of race relations at NIU and thinks it could improve.

“I think race relations could be better on campus,” she said. “In my classes, one of the things I hear frequently is that there isn’t a lot of interaction between people of different races and backgrounds. One of my goals is to encourage students to step outside of their comfort zones.”

That same separation has led to a misconception about the center.

“The misconception is that the center and our activities is just for blacks only,” she said. “Our doors are open to everybody.”

Gyant said she is much different compared to when she first came to the university.

“My students would say I am crankier,” she said with a laugh. “I think I have grown because I don’t have immediate family here. Learning how to survive and understand the Chicagoland attitude has changed me a whole lot. “