The creator of the Silas Hunt Scholars mentoring program

As a part of its series in celebration of Black History Month, the Razorback Athletic Department is saluting Trailblazers from the African-American community who have attended the University of Arkansas. Several of the honorees in our series were also selected as Silas Hunt Legacy Award recipients recently.

Johnetta Cross Brazzell of McDonough, Ga., served as the vice chancellor for student affairs at the University of Arkansas from 1999 until 2009 when she retired. During her tenure, the African American freshman retention rate increased as did the graduation rate for African American students. She also was instrumental in the creation of the Silas Hunt Scholars mentoring program. Her leadership resulted in a more diverse staff in the Division of Student Affairs, and she made achieving diversity throughout the programs of the division a high priority. Brazzell served on the Northwest Arkansas Diversity Council, the Northwest Arkansas Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Planning Committee and the Walton Arts Center Board of Directors. She has been recognized by
Power Play Magazine, based out of Little Rock, as one the 25 most influential African Americans in Arkansas.

The University of Arkansas’ Office of University Relations provided the content of today’s salute. For more information on the Silas Hunt Legacy Award Event, please jump here.