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What in the world am I doing? This is a question I think many of us have asked ourselves at some point in our graduate and professional careers—especially as faculty of color. The many ups and downs in academia and professional service to families can have you second-guessing yourself and embracing imposter syndrome with ease. For many of us, when we have questions, experience difficulty, look for guidance, celebrate success, or need a listening ear, we turn to our mentors. The individual(s) who guide and direct us, teach, support, and in many ways become our “friendtors.” For the past 5 years I have been privileged to call on Bertina Hildreth Combes as my mentor, friend, ally, confidante, teacher, and sister-aunty. Bertina is the daughter of longtime Racial and Ethnic Diversity and Families (REDF) Section member Dr. Gladys Hildreth.

Bertina was “called home” on February 19, 2021, due to complications from COVID-19.

I wanted to share a brief tribute to my dear friend because she represents so much of what makes the REDF Section an important group of people at NCFR. She often commented to me that her visits to the annual conference with her mom were so memorable because of the section and its members.

Bertina Hildreth Combes, Ph.D., began her career in higher education at Texas Tech University and moved to the University of North Texas (UNT) in 1989 as an assistant professor in the College of Education. A consummate and contemplative professional, it wasn’t long before she began to blaze trails for Black faculty at UNT. Dr. Combes devoted more than 30 years of her academic career to UNT. She was promoted to associate professor in 1996 and full professor in 2015. She became the associate dean for academic affairs and education in the College of Education in 1998 and took on additional responsibilities as the interim dean of the College of Education between June 2016 and August 2017. Dr. Combes was named the College of Education associate dean for graduate studies and research in 2019. She became UNT’s vice provost for faculty success in January 2020.

As a scholar, Dr. Combes was known for a diverse body of research ranging from the effect of parent participation on the performance of students at risk to learning styles of African American students and inclusion. At UNT, she helped found what became the Black Faculty Network (BFN) and was a proud member of the Delta Sigma Theta sorority. She earned her B.S. in special education from Oral Roberts University in special education, her master’s degree in educational administration from Southern University and A&M College, and her Ph.D. in special education from the University of Texas at Austin.

“Always a champion for students, she mentored numerous young students into their professional roles as educators. As recent as this past fall, despite the new and active and busy role she assumed as vice provost for faculty success, she met with undergraduate students and regularly checked in to provide support and nurturing into their profession,” said Chandra Carey, co-chair of the UNT Black Faculty Network. “Her mentorship didn’t stop with students. Bertina worked diligently within her college and across the university to increase the number of Black faculty at UNT. Her work focused not just on bringing them to UNT but also on keeping them here. She did this almost daily in informal ways and formally through faculty mentoring initiatives like the Black Women’s Initiative, La Colectiva, and the Black Faculty Network. Even within these formal structures, her calm, kind, and thoughtful spirit yielded mentorships and friendships with students, faculty and staff alike.”

This quote from Dr. Carey captures the fact that Bertina was an amazing daughter, sister, mother, aunt, educator, trailblazing scholar, higher education administrator, and wonderful friend. Those who knew Bertina knew that her faith was an important aspect of her life and she embodied servant leadership. Her membership in her church home and in her sorority represent just a bit of her dedication outside academia. It is her tireless work in the academy that has transcended and touched many who knew her.

While Bertina may not have personally known or touched all of us, I see so much of her dedication and grace in the actions of past and present REDF members. Members who may not even know they are a mentor to others—through their tireless communication, behind-the-scenes support, and smiling faces at conferences. Showing leadership and dedication like Norma Burgess, Tammy Henderson, and Katia Paz Goldfarb; providing knowledge on direct client services like Curtis Fox and Bill Allen; publishing guidance like Anthony James Jr. and Roudi Roy; ardent student supporters like Farrell Webb and Ani Yazedjin; revolutionaries like Ouida Westney, Leanor Boulin Johnson, and Gladys Hildreth—all while standing on the shoulders of the section greats who came before us like Marie F. Peters, John and Harriet McAdoo, Bob Staples, David Baptiste, and countless others.

Through her acceptance, grace, support, care, love, challenges, and everyday uplifting spirit, Bertina continually taught and guided me. Bertina had a great love for shoes, a love that I share. We shared a passion for boots, often comparing notes on comfort and styles—and even had some “twin” pairs! Today, and each day forward, I will wear my boots and strive to walk like her following the path she blazed. We are all better for having great mentors in our lives, and by walking Bertina’s walk, I don’t have to ask myself, What am I doing? Bertina has shown me.

So, although the tears may flow when I remember her, I write this not as a sad tribute or a goodbye to Bertina—her legacy will never die. She is a part of my spirit and the work of those she touched, and we strive to embody her abilities every day. Instead, this is a hello, we see you, we are blessed by your presence, we love you, and we thank you, our mentors of color. May the spirit of the ancestors continue to guide and comfort you as you lead us in supporting the next generation of scholars.

Members of the University of North Texas Black Faculty Network and NCFR Racial and Ethnic Diversity in Families Section would like to extend our condolences to the family of our beloved Dr. Bertina Hildreth Combes. The Bertina H. Combes Scholarship has been established in her honor through UNT University Advancement. 

Rest in Heaven Bertina,
Yolanda Mitchell, REDF Past Chair
with REDF and UNT BFN Leadership Teams