Chapter 26: Conclusion: A Job Well Done

This edited book seeks to highlight the impact that Melvin C. Terrell has had on the scholarship and practices related to the advancement of equity and diversity in areas within student affairs and higher education. As a scholar-practitioner, Dr. Terrell has been instrumental both explicitly and implicitly to generations of academicians, practitioners, and aspiring students. To note, the authors of this chapter, LaVar J. Charleston and Cornelius Gilbert, have either been inspired by Dr. Terrell directly, or through others like Jerlando F. L. Jackson who has worked more closely with Dr. Terrell, and happens to have been both authors' major professor in graduate school. These chapters highlight the advancement within the aforementioned areas related to equity and diversity, while also paying tribute to the life work and influences of Dr. Terrell. In some respects, the contributors of this book promoted innovative protocol for the best practices of admissions, retention, and multiculturalism in higher education, building on much of the foundation that Dr. Terrell has established in his laudable career. This work is a nod to a passing of the baton to other scholars and practitioners in whom Dr. Terrell has inspired to employ the work of higher education through a social justice lens in a manner that ensures that those who traditionally would not have a voice as it relates to their own experiences and success, indeed does. The following paragraphs summarize these contributions by providing snapshots of the contributors' offerings.