WHITMAN COLLEGE PRESENTS:
STUDENTS OF COLOR CONFERENCE
UNDERREPRESENTED GROUPS WELCOME SAT., OCT. 28, 2017, 8 am to 5 pm WHITMAN COLLEGE MAXEY AUDITORIUM PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS: Gonzaga University Linfield College Reed College Seattle University Pacific University University of Puget Sound Walla Walla University Whitworth University Willamette University
CHANGE NOW! CONCURRENT WORKSHOPS 10.30-11.45AM
“Boycotts, Protests and Sit Ins! Oh My! A Comprehensive Guide to on Campus Dissent” ROOM 104 Serena Morales, Alex Boyd, and Tiffany Chang, “Reedies Against Racism,” Reed College Student activists discuss personal experiences with dissent at Reed College, the efforts and obstacles faced by Reedies Against Racism, and the origins of this group, to relay our personal experiences in order to dissect the challenges and successes that student activists experience while organizing on-campus dissent, to strengthen the efforts of our peers, provide a platform for shared expression, and demonstrate solidarity. “First Generation Students and Campus Culture” ROOM 106 Panel from Gonzaga University A discussion of current obstacles that firstgeneration students face both in and out of the classroom; whether that be academically or socially, and how campus culture affects minorities due to the lack of diversity in some universities (commonly referred to Predominately White Institutions, P.W.I.). The panel will also discuss the creation of new strategies to increase inclusivity of minorities on campus and educate those unaware of certain cultures or their obstacles.
“What does “Asian Pacific Islander” Mean to You?” ROOM 121 Anna Zheng, Alissa and Linnea Soo, Sam Wong, Kyle Levin, Olivia Thomson, Kady Valledor, and Stephanie Ma, Whitman College An open discussion about our experiences as an Asian Pacific Islander, such as our childhoods, teenage years, family life, school life, and current college life. To bring together those who identify as API and have a conversation about what being an API has meant for them. We hope to gather in solidarity with one another but also recognize the different experiences we’ve all had with our identities. We also hope to have a discussion on how we can have API affinity groups on college campuses. “Leveling the Playing Field in the Health Professions” ROOM 119 David Fuentes, Pacific University Several minority groups continue to be underrepresented in the health professions education. In pharmacy, there is a single-digit applicant pool of black/ African American students (9.3%), Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (0.2%), American Indian/Alaskan Native students (0.01%), and Hispanic/Latino students (5.9%). National trends mirror our own admissions demographics and providing education to these underrepresented minority groups would be one step in addressing inequities and barriers in promoting healthcare careers and the sciences in these populations. We will use active learning strategies and case scenarios to highlight and discuss some of the challenges faced by black and Hispanic students, specifically addressing first-generation college students, imposter syndrome, mentorship gaps, and the inequities in resources across various schools in Oregon and the US reflecting practices in both the K-12 education and in higher education.
CONCURRENT WORKSHOPS 1.20-2.20PM
“Beyoncé and Me: Navigating Contemporary White Spaces” ROOM 104 Ruth Martinez, Walla Walla University Even as college and university campuses across the country ramp up their diversity and inclusion programs, the space of the academy remains a largely white space. The purpose of this workshop is to explore the many representations of race in Beyonce's music as a large-scale and very public example of navigating and altering the traditionally white spaces of pop music and entertainment. Since Beyonce is a popular music artist and recently included more racialized themes in her lyrics and videos, we will explore the different ways her racial identity is portrayed in her work. The short visual presentation will be followed by a facilitated discussion focusing on how students of color feel they are able to present themselves in the predominately white space of higher education, if they are able to be comfortably present in their racial identity on campus, and what aspects of whitewashing may be part of their lived campus experience.
“Spoken Word as Radical Self Love” ROOM 106 Anna Zheng, Whitman College This is a guided and interactive poetry workshop that merges the art of writing and community building. We will have writing exercises, focusing on constructing our truths in narrative. We will explore what it means to work as a community while also highlighting one's own experiences and identities. Additionally, we'll explore what it means to use art as a form of activism and self-expression. Prompts provided. Bring yourself, pen and paper.
“Understanding and Resisting U.S. Immigration Politics: Thoughts from a Semester in the Borderlands” ROOM 108 Rubi Vergara-Grindell, Reed College This presentation traces historical, racial and economic motivations behind the U.S’s immigration policy and the ways it affects people’s lives with the goal of starting a discussion about the ways in which we can support immigration justice and immigrant rights initiatives on campus, locally and nationally. My material is drawn from what I learned through attending Earlham College’s Border Studies program last Spring, experiences I had while providing legal aid to people in immigration detention, interviews I conducted with people I met during my time in Tucson, and personal connections to migration across the U.S./MX border. “Unearthing Your Roots: A Lesson in Cultural Collateral” ROOM 121 Panel from Gonzaga University As underrepresented students entering a predominately white institution, it is easy to lose grasp of ones ‘why’ story and the strengths and circumstances that led one to pursue higher education. In the midst of microagressions, culture shock, and stereotype threat to name a few phenomena that underrepresented students often face, we hope with this workshop to bring light to the people, places, events and organizations that have shaped the scholars that we are today. By introducing workshop attendees to the idea of cultural collateral or the social assets one has to engage in social mobility, we hope through reflection and introspection that attendees dig deep and discover their why and aspects of themselves that make them unique and extraordinary scholars.
”I Have A Degree, Now What? An International Student Reflection on Post-Graduation Burdens” ROOM 119 Gambhir Kunwar ‘17, Whitman College As first-generation and international students, new graduates reflect on the realities of the transition from a resourceful undergraduate environment to a sea of job applications, the restrictions of the one-year OPT and F-1 Visa, and the emotional strain that arises around job searches, relocation, and even not having a regular schedule. We hope to brainstorm ideas on how to improve job searches, networking, career advising and other resources for international students.
CONCURRENT WORKSHOPS 2.30-3.30PM Caucus: Multiracial Room 206 Caucus: Administrators Room W 42 “Activism and Mobilization in Small Rural Community” ROOM 121 Walla Walla Immigration Rights Coalition WWIRC is a local grassroots organization that focuses on ensuring the rights of immigrants be upheld in our Walla Walla community. WWIRC also engages the immigrant community by offering Know Your Rights workshops, provides access to legal counseling, and renders social services. Come learn about how WWIRC engages the community, our trials and tribulations, and how you can take part in coalition building across the Pacific Northwest. “Sexual Assault Prevention and Response for People of Color” ROOM 108 Lillyanne Pham, Reed College Presenting alternative structures and conducting a group discussions for college
campuses to improve Sexual Assault Prevention and Response/or similar programs for people of color. I will be talking with Rowan Frost (Reed SAPR trainer) on ways to tackle this project. In addition, I have talked with Alex Hrycak of the Sociology department on additional resources in regards to cultural norms towards sexual violence. “Boycotts, Protest and Sit Ins! Oh My ! A comprehensive Guide to On Campus Dissent” ROOM 104 Serena Morales, Alex Boyd, Tiffany Chang of “Reedies Against Racism,” Reed College This is a second-time slot for RAR. It may be a continuation of the morning session or if there were others who could not attend, it may be the same workshop. We wanted to give enough time to all who would like to learn more about 9/26/2017) “I Too Am Whitman” ROOM 106 Whitman College “I Too Am Whitman” is a student-focused multimedia project of the Intercultural Center aimed at amplifying voices that are often silenced while at the same time creating opportunities for discussion. It is important to recognize that not all experiences are identical and the goal of the film is to open continuous opportunities for inclusion, equity and full participation in the Whitman community. Film screening followed up by panel discussion with students who shared their powerful stories for the film; we then invite the audience to have the same courage to engage in follow-up conversations that are not always comfortable, but that are critical to have if we want to create inclusive and equitable spaces on our campuses.
SCHEDULE ARRIVAL & BREAKFAST 8-9 AM
Maxey Auditorium (all meals served here)
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS // WELCOME 9-10.20 AM
Cassandra Otero ’18 (Whitman) and Zach Turner ’18 (Whitman) conference moderators introduce themselves and President Murray (Whitman College)// Welcome from President Murray // Introduction of Keynote Speakers (Ashley Hansack ’15 and Alisha Agard ’15)// ”Why Campus Activism Matters Beyond College: Our Journeys from campus to community “
CONCURRENT WORKSHOPS I
10.30-11.45 AM Maxey Classrooms
LUNCH & MUSIC 11.45 - 1.05 PM
Lobby of Maxey Auditorium Music provided by Whitman’s a capella groups (Freedom Singers, Schwa, Sirens of Swank, TTones)
CONCURRENT WORKSHOPS II 1.20-2.20 PM
Maxey Classrooms
10 MINUTE BREAK
CONCURRENT WORKSHOPS III 2.30-3.30PM
Maxey Classrooms
10 MINUTE BREAK CLOSING SEND OFF: “NOW WHAT?” WITH ALISHA AGARD & ASHLEY HANSACK 3.45-4.30 pm
DEPARTURE//HANGOUT 5.00 pm
SPECIAL THANKS: kazi joshua // bonnette ishimuwe // maggi banderas // sonja aikens // caroline ashford ayra // bonapp // the president’s office // cassandra otero & zach turner // brochure design: anna zheng //