The Multicultural Academic and Support Services office will honor its former directors at its 30th Anniversary Reception on Wednesday, April 22, 2009, in the Student Union, Key West 218 AB, from 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

The MASS former directors are as follows:

  • Rev. Leroy Lloyd
  • Robert Belle
  • Valarie King
  • A.J. Range
  • Terry Exum

History of Mass: The Office of Minority Student Services (OMSS) as it was originally called back in 1978, was founded to assist minority students in obtaining a quality education at the University of Central Florida. Students could depend on the OMSS for support in almost all areas of academic life, whether it be academic counseling, advising or social and cultural activities. The founding director of OMSS, Rev. Leroy Lloyd headed the office from 1978-1979.

After Lloyd’s departure, Robert Belle was the OMSS director from 1979-1992. During Belle’s tenure, there was a dramatic increase in the number of multicultural students attending UCF. With Belle leaving MASS in 1992, Valarie King directed the office from 1993-1994. It was during this time the six-week summer program, called the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) changed its name to the Seizing Opportunities and Achieving Retention (SOAR) Program, of which it is still named today.

When A.J. Range took over in 1994, the Office of Minority Student Services (OMSS) changed its name to The Multicultural Student Services office. That name remained until it was changed to the Multicultural Academic and Support Services office under the helm of Associate Director Inez Ford. Ford led the department as the associate director from 1998-2005.

In 2005, Terry Exum became the MASS director. Exum was MASS director from 2005-2007, during which the First Generation Program was established.

Wayne Jackson is the current director for MASS and has served in this position since January 2007.

Most of the former directors will be in attendance for the MASS celebration April 22nd. The event will be a great opportunity to say thank you to those individuals who have been successful in leading the MASS department and helping thousands of students become successful over the years.

For more information, contact the MASS office at 407.823.2716 or mass@mail.ucf.edu.