Virtual Connections This series will begin with a multiracial and multiethnic students session hosted by Amber Hoefer, who identifies as a multiracial Mexican American and works at the CWU Center for Leadership and Community Engagement. On Sept. 24, Hoefer is excited to engage in a shared space that honors the complexity of multiracial and multiethnic experiences. “I love sharing spaces with students where we can celebrate who we are while we navigate dominant identity spaces,” she said. At this session, expect to engage in a shared space that honors the deeply complex experiences of multiracial and multiethnic individuals.
Story By Kiersten Kimminau Design By Alana Jacobs
The Central Washington University Diversity and Equity Center (DEC) has numerous events to keep students engaged from cultural showcases to informative workshops. However, on a predominantly white campus, students from minority groups may feel like there are not enough spaces for them to express themselves with others who share similar identities and experiences. The DEC recognizes this struggle, so they created the Find Your People series to allow students from different backgrounds to come together in a safe space where they feel welcomed among others with shared experiences. From Sept. 24 through Oct. 20, the DEC will host a total of five weekly virtual sessions for students of different backgrounds, experiences and identities. Students with shared identities will have the chance to connect and dialogue about common experiences in their personal, professional and academic lives at CWU.
On Sept. 30, Elizabeth Vidaurri will host the undergraduate students of color session. Attendees will have the chance to discuss the complexities of the Latinx experience with Vidaurri who identifies as Mexican American and is a program manager with the DEC. Her main goals will be to uplift, provide valuable resources and networking opportunities, and to elevate students’ CWU experience to the max.
challenges based on their racial identity. This session will provide the opportunity to connect and examine the multidimensional experiences of students of color. Finally, engage in an interfaith session Oct. 20 with Salam Awad, who identifies as a Palestinian-American Muslim and is a lecturer in the Department of Political Science. This will be a safe space for dialogues involving interfaith, mutriracial, multiethnic and intersectional experiences. Awad looks forward to having open discussions with students from different faiths and spiritualities. She will also address issues with Islamophobia and other common misconceptions about Muslims. “I am excited to … [foster] interfaith dialogues, solidarity, and unity between students from different spiritual backgrounds,” she said. Find Your People is unique to many other programs that the DEC offers.
“We don’t have… enough spaces for women of color, people who identify within the LGBTQ+ space, and any of An LGBTQ+ students session will our minoritized groups on campus be hosted by Tyler Melvin on Oct. 7. to come together and feel vulnerable Melvin identifies as queer, gender fluid enough to speak out,” Vidaurri said. “It’s and is the residence hall coordinator very refreshing to see that we are able of Central Campus. Attend this session to provide a safe space (Find Your People to engage with community, learn from Series) for a niche group of students that others and explore the intersectionality otherwise wouldn’t be able to speak up of queer experiences. in larger settings.” Attend the graduate students of color session on Oct. 13 with Eriqua Collins. As a graduate assistant at the DEC, Collins is passionate about connecting with other graduate students of color at Central. The journey of graduate school is difficult for all students, but students of color may notice different
If you identify with any of the groups being represented throughout this series, attend a session and find your people. People who do not identify with the groups are welcome to attend, but are asked to be respectful and listen. Follow the DEC on social media for the join links, or visit cwu.edu/event-calendar.