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Culture Is Not My Costume by Ellise A. Smith, M.S.Ed

As the Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for the Division of Student Affairs at a Midwest, urban, research institution I frequently engage in difficult conversations around race, gender, sexual orientation, gender, socioeconomic status, size, and more. Most of these discussions are rooted in a lack of understanding about identities and the related experiences. As a doctoral student, I face similar challenges as I wrestle with research, articles, and thought processes related to culture. Oftentimes, most individuals are ‘surprised’ when corrected about their behaviors related to race, gender, culture, etc. as they thought what they did was harmless, or they state they had no intention to offend. However, it is my responsibility as a champion for creating fair and just societies to center my identities as a fat, Black, female (to name a few) to create equity. Therefore, my work does not conclude at the end-of-the-day and oftentimes continues outside of my 9-5 career. There are
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A College Student's Vote by Caleb Smith

When I am asked what what got me engaged in politics, my mind flashes to the 2016 general election. In the weeks leading up to the big day, I remember watching the news with my grandma and grandpa; I like to credit them as the main reason I became so interested in politics. As a 13-year-old, I knew how important this election would be. As the votes on election night started to roll in, all I could feel was anxiety. As midnight approached, each dump of votes became more and more crucial to deciding a winner. It wasn’t until about 3:00 a.m when news networks began to predict that Donald Trump would become the next president of the United States. Frustration and confusion began to flood my mind. As a white man in a position of privilege, I feared for how my friends of color and others who are taken advantage of would be treated for the next four years. At that moment, I made it my goal to become engaged in politics to force change and fight for those without a voice.   As you may have n
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Resources for this Week's Blog!

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  This week we read a great piece by Christopher A. Miofsky on the importance of LGBTQIA+ fraternities and sororities on college campuses. Below, I have attached the links to 5 fraternities and sororities and description of what they're all about! Delta Lambda Phi “ In 1986, Delta Lambda Phi Social Fraternity was founded by gay men for all men. Since then, our Fraternity has grown into a thriving international organization with chapters and provisional chapters all over North America. Above all, Delta Lambda Phi is set apart by its Brotherhood, both in terms of the quality of its membership, as well as the lifelong bonds of friendship and support that are unique to this organization.” Also located in the Community Commons room 3200! Gamma Rho Lambda “ Gamma Rho Lambda is an all-inclusive social sorority exemplifying the qualities of tolerance, diversity, unity, and trust, which provides a network of assistance in the areas of scholastic guidance, emotional support, and community se
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The Importance of LGBTQIA+ Fraternities and Sororities by Christopher A. Miofsky

In the fall of 2001, I found myself on the campus of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) as a bright-eyed and excited first year student ready to do “all the things”. Coming out of high school, I was heavily involved with co-curricular activities (band, student council, peer leadership, pit orchestra, etc.). I was *that* student. Thus, it was no surprise when I got to SIUE and decided to continue with my involvement. I knew prior to going to SIUE that I would join a fraternity. I am one of the “always joiners”. Before going through men’s recruitment, I met with the Fraternity and Sorority Advisor who encouraged me to meet with multiple organizations to make sure I make the right choice. As an 18-year-old who clear knew everything, I did not listen and went to the biggest and most popular fraternity on campus at the time. My membership with them last two days before I dropped out, but my desire to join never decreased and I vowed to try again the next year which is when the
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Resources for this Weeks Blog!

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This week we read a great piece from Kiristen about the Importance of BIPOC Representation in Academic Spaces. Below I have attached some resources for individuals in the BIPOC community!    Gustavus Adolphus College “This page highlights resources to promote the wellbeing of students who are Black, Indigenous, and/or Persons of Color (BIPOC). We have also included materials to address activist burnout/self-care and anti-racism materials.” Classrooms “Black students often face discrimination from peers and faculty when in school. Many BIPOC wellness resources focus on healing and preserving the mental health of Black students to strive for a better tomorrow.” Mental Health Resources for Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) “...we highlight a range of resources that may be useful to BIPOC-identifying individuals seeking support for mental health concerns and/or coping with race-related stressors, whether current and/or historical, as well as those hoping to share available reso
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The Importance of BIPOC Representation in Academic Spaces by Kiristen Hubbard

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            “‘When there are educators who look like their students. It can provide examples of how academic success might look. As a Black educator, I can prove to my students that they are capable. I get to give them the opportunity to see how I’ve created trajectories for myself in order to achieve success academically and professionally. I want my students to expand their trajectories,’ says Shareefah Mason, a Dallas-based educator” (XQ Rethink Together, 2022). Recently some students from the DU Graduate School of Professional Psychology (GSPP) led a march bringing awareness to the systemic issues that BIPOC students have been facing and express the frustration about the imminent departure of Black faculty members. GSPP is now losing four BIPOC faculty next month, with three of them being Black women. Campuses across the nation have been experiencing BIPOC faculty stepping down from their colleges and universities, regardless of tenure status, and taking positions at other camp
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Resources for this week's Blog!

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This week we read a great piece from Kiristen about child abuse and families with trans youth! Below I have attached some resources for individuals in the trans community! This is info on campus engagement, social media influencers and more! ACLU Colorado "Everyone in this country has the right to be included in the promises and protections of the Constitution, regardless of their sexual orientation and gender identity or expression. ACLU of Colorado works for equal rights and legal protections against discrimination and harassment for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and gender non-conforming people. " DU Queer Student Alliance "The University of Denver QSA supports the LGBTQIA+ community and aims to create a welcoming climate on   campus while promoting DEI." @VeondreMitchell on Instagram Ve’Ondre Mitchell is a transgender teen social media influencer from Seattle, WA. She shares her experiences as a black, Latinx and transgender woman to inspire change and acc
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