College has never been a smooth sailing operation. It’s a journey and the connections you make on your path that makes it all worth it. As a class of 2027 student, I’ve felt so lost at times and failed so many times to try and get stable at my feet at this institution. Last semester, I told myself I’d give it one more chance, one more shot to hopefully try and turn this all around. I had hope, But barely any left. I decided to add a class to my fall schedule named, “ Race, Class, Gender,” where you discuss among peers issues in the world that need more light and how we need to come together as a community to help. The first day of class was a completely different atmosphere from what I was used to. Everyone seemed like family, a strong community welded together by one man. Professor Jones’ passion teaching the course rubbed off on me in the best way imaginable. He reminded me who I am, and why I should be proud and fight for my dreams and admirations. To make my ancestors proud in the effort I’m putting in, while being enrolled at the most diverse university in Massachusetts. That’s why I came to UMass Boston, for the feeling of knowing there are people like me here, trying to make themselves proud as first generation students. Professor Jones always made sure I was in a safe environment, and that my personal life was okay. Last semester I was going through a traumatic experience because of the disappearance of my uncle Leonard Mercury, and professor instantly sensed something was wrong. He consistently comforted me and showed he cared about my well being, and most importantly that I mattered. This is one of the only few times I felt cared for by my professors at Umass Boston, whom are all in the Africana Studies Department. I enrolled in this school looking for individuals just like Professor Jones. I looked forward to waking up at 7AM every weekday just to not miss a second of his class, just to feel that comfort I was missing when I needed it most. His writing and teaching technique made me a far better writer than I was last year, by making me and peers engage in hard text and write about it analytically in our journals. He always made us leave the class understanding something new and knowledgeable. Professor encouraged us to make sure we practiced writing and reading, because it was for our own benefit, an essential skill to have in life. Professor Jones changed my life and I couldn’t be more thankful and proud to say he taught me his wisdom. The most important piece that Professor Jones left on me, was that in order to truly make a change, you must take action about the things you feel passionate about. That time has now come, and unfortunately in a situation where it involves the termination of one of the most inspiring men I’ve come across in my entire life as a scholar. Provost Joseph Berger: myself and a thousand other community members, would like Professor Keith Jones to be Reinstated at UMass Boston, and be able to continue the nine years of impact he left on Students, faculty, and the UMass Boston Community as a whole.