Dear Beloved Community,

Recently, a colleague shared something that’s stayed with me: she values how much we laugh in meetings and that she can bring her dry British humor into the room, knowing it will land. I told her the greatest compliment I can receive is knowing someone feels they can simply be themselves with me. 

That exchange has stayed with me because it highlights how powerful it is to be in spaces where we can show up fully as ourselves, where our quirks, cultures, humor, and traditions aren’t just tolerated but welcomed: a place where we truly belong. 

This season invites many of us into that reflection of shared humanity. Many religious and cultural traditions mark sacred seasons of reflection, renewal, and community: Ramadan, Lent, Passover, Holi, Nowruz, Vaisakhi, Easter, to name a few. Each tradition carries stories, and rhythms with similar themes: reflection, liberation, renewal, gratitude, and the importance of caring for one another. 

And yet, many of the communities who hold these traditions are also carrying deep grief. War, displacement, and division continue to devastate lives across the globe, touching members of our own community in personal and painful ways. These traditions endure because they remind us that community is not built only in times of ease, but also in moments of uncertainty and grief. They remind us to gather, share stories, break bread, fast, pray, celebrate, and mourn together, keeping us rooted in connection even when the world feels fractured. 

While our practices may differ, these values can be shared. In a world that can feel increasingly broken, the simple act of creating spaces where people can show up as themselves may be one of the most powerful forms of community we can offer. 

In Community, 
Rosalie 

As we strive to continually assess our campus community and climate, IEB will be conducting the HEDs Sense of Community Survey. Every campus member will receive their own link on Wednesday, March 25, and will have until Monday, April 27 to complete it. The survey will give us important data as we work towards realizing the College’s commitment to antiracism, diversity, equity, and inclusion. Previous campus climate surveys have shaped and/or led to the creation of impactful programming such as Butler Center’s Peer Education program and the Building Bridges program, which connects faculty and staff across campus. Thank you in advance for taking a few moments to complete the survey. We look forward to learning from your responses as we shape programs, spaces, and systems that reflect our campus community and its needs in relation to ADEI. 

The war in Iran has continued to dominate headlines with reports of devastation of human life and disruption of global markets. In higher education, we are seeing the impacts on our study abroad programs as well as community members with ties to the region. According to NAFSA, the conflict has led to university closures and stranded students across Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Kuwait, Qatar, and the UAE, with many institutions shifting to remote learning. International students in the U.S. from affected countries are also facing growing uncertainty, as embassy closures and canceled visa interviews delay processing and make travel risky. Many are also carrying the emotional strain of worrying about family members and communities directly impacted by the conflict, underscoring the importance of continued care and support for members of our campus community. 

As you consider travel both in the U.S. and abroad, it is essential that you stay up to date on rapidly changing risks. Please see the Travel Advisory email from COO Pedro de Araujo for important resources and reminders.

Pikes Peak Pride Festival and Parade 

Are you interested in marching, designing, and planning CC’s parade submission? Everybody is welcome! Please reach out to Nancy Ríos by email.  This year’s parade will return to Tejon St. and will take place on Sunday, June 14.

International People and Practices has spent significant time discussing how domestic and global crises affect members of our community, particularly when the impact is personal and not widely visible, such as harm to family or loved ones, and when these issues fade in and out of public attention regardless of whether they are resolved. It is essential that we connect classmates and colleagues to key resources—such as the Counseling Center, Timely Care, EAP, UWill, the Chaplains office, the Ombuds office and Employee Relations—during these times.

A huge thank you to those who joined IEB for our book club discussion with Dr. Brenna Swift ’09, who brought a disability justice lens to our conversation on Nnedi Okorafor’s Noor. If you were unable to join us and are interested in learning more about disability justice, please look at Swift’s presentation, which she has generously shared with our CC community. Thank you, Dr. Swift!

The cover of Wandering Stars by Tommy Orange.

Would you or your department, program, or office be interested in partnering with IEB on our Fall ABC selection, Wandering Stars (2024) by Tommy Orange? We are currently in discussions to invite Orange, a 2025 MacArthur Fellow, to CC this fall during Block 3. Both a prequel and sequel to There There (2018), Wandering Stars “traces the legacies of the Sand Creek Massacre of 1864 and the Carlisle Indian Industrial School through to the shattering aftermath of Orvil Red Feather’s shooting in There There.” Publisher Penguin Random House describes Wandering Stars as “a novel about epigenetic and generational trauma that has the force and vision

of a modern epic...” If you or your unit would like to get involved, please reach out to Nancy Ríos. 

Save The Date: Dr. Myrriah Gomez, author of our Fall ABC selection Nuclear Nuevo Mexico will be delivering The Hulbert Center’s Andrew Norman Guest Lecture on the evening of Saturday, April 28. Please stay tuned for a book club discussion with Dr. Gomez.

March 16 – April 3, Sense of Place: Dr. Adrienne Lanier Seward, Professor Emerita of English

Stop by IEB’s Sense of Place: Colorado College display, featuring Dr. Adrienne Lanier Seward, Professor Emerita of English (1981–2012) and a key force in establishing the college’s ethnic studies program. Explore how her teaching and service helped shape CC’s sense of place. Location: Fireplace, Worner Campus Center.

Saturday, April 4: NASU Annual Powwow

Join the campus community for NASU’s Annual Powwow, a celebration of tradition, culture, and connection. Enjoy frybread and browse a selection of local vendors as you experience this vibrant gathering. Free admission, held in the Ed Robson Arena.

April 3, Celebration of Life: Dr. Dwanna McKay, Associate Professor of Race, Ethnicity, & Migration Studies, 12:30 p.m.–2:30 p.m.

Join CC for a Celebration of Life honoring Dr. Dwanna McKay, whose teaching, scholarship, and community impact shaped the Race, Ethnicity, & Migration Studies program. The memorial is being held in Tava Quad (Bemis Great Hall in case of inclement weather).

Tuesday, March 24: Table Talk – Portraits of Women @ Arts & Crafts, 3–5 p.m.

Join a creative conversation exploring representations of women through art. Materials provided. Held in Arts and Crafts.

Tuesday, March 24: T‑Time – Rise & Pride Sourdough Pizza Making Workshop, 2:30–4 p.m.

Learn hands‑on sourdough pizza techniques and enjoy food in community. Held in the Interfaith House.

Tuesday, March 24: Drop‑In Career Coaching with Micheal Harris, 12:30–2 p.m.

Stop by for individualized support with résumés, cover letters, and career planning. Held in Worner 226.

Wednesday, March 25: Financial Aid Wednesdays with Graysen, 12:30–2 p.m.

Receive guidance on financial aid, budgeting, and campus funding resources. Held in Worner 218.

Friday, March 27: First‑Gen Friday – Career Center Networking Workshop, 12:30–2 p.m.

Build confidence and practice networking skills in a supportive environment. Held in Hybl.

Wednesday, April 2: Financial Aid Wednesdays with Graysen, 12:30–3 p.m.

Drop in for personalized support navigating financial aid processes. Held in Worner 218.

Wednesday, April 2: Advocates for Immigrant Justice, 3–4:30 p.m.

Join peers to explore current issues in immigration justice and community activism. Held in Worner 226.

Friday, April 4: First‑Gen Friday – Bear Mountain Bike Ride Activity, 12:30–2 p.m.

Enjoy an outdoor group ride and take in fresh air with fellow students. Held in Outdoor Education.

Saturday, April 5: Drag Show – Draglesque, 8–11 p.m.

Celebrate creativity and performance at this high‑energy drag showcase. Held in Cornerstone Main Space.

Monday, April 7: Passion Presentation – Connor Skinner & Tornadoes, 12:30–1:30 p.m.

Enjoy a presentation about tornadoes given by Connor Skinner. Held in WES Room.

Tuesday, April 8: Table Talk – Picnic and Suncatchers, 3–5 p.m.

Craft suncatchers and participate in a picnic. Held in Worner Quad.

Tuesday, April 8: Drop‑In Career Coaching with Micheal Harris, 12:30–2 p.m.

Get one‑on‑one assistance with job searches, application materials, and planning. Held in Worner 226

Wednesday, April 9: Hey719 STI Testing Clinic, 1 p.m.–4 p.m.

Free STI testing. Held in Worner second floor space.

Wednesday, April 9: Leveraging Privilege Workshop, 12:30 p.m.–1:30 p.m.

Join a workshop that aims to support efforts in antiracist practices within and for the CC community. Held in the Student Event Space.

Wednesday, April 9: AAPI Month Celebration: Whale Rider Screening 2:30 p.m.–3:30 p.m.

Come watch a screening of Whale Rider. Held in the Cornerstone Screening Room.

Thursday, April 10: AAPI Month Celebration: DIY Tea Bag Making Workshop, 2:30 p.m.–3:30 p.m.

Join in on AAPI Month Celebrations and DIY your own teabags! Held in the Multicultural Lounge.

Saturday, May 2: Colorado Black Equity Listening Session, noon–2 p.m.

Join History Colorado and the Colorado Black Equity Study for their Colorado Springs Community Listening Session at CC. Colorado Springs residents will be asked to contribute to the study by sharing lived experiences and knowledge in a guided table discussion facilitated by the research team. RSVP for the listening session. Email Nancy Ríos at nrios@coloradocollege.edu with questions. The event will be held in Gaylord Hall in Worner Campus Center.

IEB offers up to $250 in co-sponsorship funding for campus events that promote equity and justice. Departments, offices, student groups, and athletic teams may apply by submitting the request form and required materials. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, with decisions issued within two weeks. Funded events must acknowledge IEB’s support and include the IEB logo on all promotional materials. For questions, contact Institutional Equity and Belonging or review this form.

14 E. Cache La Poudre St.
Colorado Springs, CO 80903