Honoring a Mental Health Pioneer

Smith interviews Dr. Sikes about the creation of the Center for Improvement of Intergroup Relations at UT, as well as other matters close to his heart as a member of the University community during a period of rapid social change. Luester Batieste and Sandy Chatham, students of Dr. Sikes and staff members at the Center, contribute to the conversation as well. 

Providing additional context and commentary on Dr. Sikes’ work from a contemporary perspective are Ike Evans, Hogg Foundation communications manager, and Elizabeth Stauber, the foundation’s archivist and records manager. 

Center for Improvement of Intergroup Relations 

In addition to his professorial role within academia, Dr. Melvin Sikes took on a significant community-facing role as the founder of the Center for Improvement of Intergroup Relations (Center). As an important field of sociological study in the 1970s, intergroup relations sought to better understand the perceptions, thoughts, and interactions between people of differing social groups, particularly as it related to the civil rights movement.

Dr. Sikes envisioned the Center playing an important role in connecting the academic community at UT with the larger Austin community. 

“People often feel that the university is not concerned with the ‘man out there in the field’,” said Dr. Sikes. “We are. And we want to show that concern in the way that we can best do it.” 

Continuity with the Hogg Foundation 

Under the direction of Dr. Wayne H. Holtzman, the Hogg Foundation supported the development of the Center and its four areas of focus: research, sharing expertise, community engagement, and the creation of an informational database. Indeed, a continuity of shared priorities can be seen between the two organizations. 

For example, to ensure it truly met the needs of the community it served, the Center researched and measured the impact of its programming. Similarly, the Hogg Foundation strives to continually learn and improve as an organization by evaluating our impact at the community level and providing financial support for UT students conducting research in the behavioral health field. 

The Center also enabled smaller community organizations to “do their own thing” by providing access to resources and information rather than issuing directives, an approach that closely resembles the Hogg’s focus on community-led initiatives. 

Student Involvement 

Students of Dr. Sikes, such as Sandy Chatham and Luester Batiste, also went beyond the classroom to support the Center as volunteers and staff members. 

Reflecting on her experiences as a student in Dr. Sikes’ Cultural Deprivation course, Sandy described the evolution of her attitudes and behaviors toward people with differences and how it motivated her to join the Center’s staff. 

“There’s such a tremendous demand to work out intergroup problems,” she said. “There’s always more to be done.” 

Luester expressed similar feelings about her experiences in Sikes’ classroom and at the Center. 

Well-being for All Texans 

Another example is the Crystal City project, an innovative effort to build a mental health outreach program for the predominantly rural, Spanish-speaking, and economically underserved area of Zavala County, in South Texas. 

“How far back and deep the concern the Hogg Foundation has had for the mental health of all Texans is always inspiring to see,” says Elizabeth. 

Related Content