Former Professor Sues UMES for Alleged Racial Discrimination

A former professor at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) has filed a lawsuit against the historically Black institution, claiming racial discrimination and wrongful termination. Donna Satterlee, who served as a full-time visiting lecturer in the Department of Human Ecology for over 20 years and received tenure in 2019, alleges that she was “fraudulently terminated” in 2022, following years of hostility from colleagues and administrators.

According to court documents filed on August 14, 2023, in the U.S. District Court of Maryland, Satterlee, who is white, experienced an antagonistic work environment. She claims that despite her extensive experience, she was consistently the lowest-paid faculty member in her department. In her own words, Satterlee described the university’s operations as “like a mafia operation using public funds.”

The university has refrained from commenting on the ongoing litigation, citing its policy on personnel matters. However, the lawsuit outlines several grievances Satterlee raised regarding her treatment. In 2020, she reported a “bullying and hostile” workplace to university officials. Instead of addressing her concerns, she claims that scrutiny from the administration increased, leading to further stress.

Satterlee filed the lawsuit pro se, meaning she is representing herself without legal counsel. She states that she was assigned last-minute work and faced unrealistic demands, including designing a master’s program within just two days. The suit also contends that UMES withheld signed performance evaluations for at least four years, which hindered her career advancement.

In October 2023, Satterlee again expressed her concerns regarding the trauma she experienced at UMES. Shortly after, she was denied a promotion to full professor and faced accusations of bullying her supervisor—claims she vehemently denies as vague and unfounded. In her correspondence with the university’s Office of Institutional Equity, Satterlee argued that insubordination is not a valid reason for dismissing a tenured professor.

The university ultimately found her guilty of violating its workplace bullying policy and insubordination, resulting in her dismissal. Satterlee is now seeking reinstatement to her position, a promotion based on the recommendations of the university committee, as well as pay and benefits. Furthermore, she is pursuing court declarations that her termination was both unlawful and fraudulent, and that senior UMES administrators acted maliciously regarding her civil rights.

“I broke no policies,” Satterlee emphasized in an interview with local media.

This case follows a similar lawsuit filed by former professor Dina El Mahdy against Morgan State University, another historically Black institution. El Mahdy alleged discrimination, sexual harassment, and retaliation, but a judge ruled against her. She has since appealed to the Fourth Circuit Court, which recently denied her request for further consideration.

As the legal proceedings unfold, the implications of Satterlee’s case may resonate within the broader context of workplace equality and discrimination in academia. The outcome could have significant repercussions not only for UMES but also for other institutions grappling with similar allegations.