Week of
April 25–May 7, 2022
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SOCIAL EQUITY & TITLE IX DIGEST
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WEEKLY WORDS TO PONDER:“The horizon leans forward, offering you space to place new steps of change.”
—Maya Angelou
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Congrats, Graduates! (Commencement Ceremonies and Celebrations, May 6 and 7)
Good luck on finals! (May 3–6)
Thank you to all who read and submit items to our Digest. See you again in August!
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IUP Values Me: Thank You and Farewell!
Student Spotlight: Nabiha Islam
Nabiha served as a graduate assistant in several offices and divisions, where she dedicated herself to bettering the lives of her fellow students by spearheading social justice and inclusion efforts. At the Office of International Education, she managed the Culture Café, in which international and domestic students came together to mingle and learn from one another. While with the Social Equity and Title IX office, she was one of two leaders in the Walking Audit, an exercise that involved walking, observing, and conversing with Black, Brown, and LGBTQIA+ students and literally taking steps to make the campus more inclusive. As part of the Division of Student Affairs and the Center for Multicultural Student Leadership and Engagement, Nabiha assisted in the creation of the Crimson Scholars Circle, an initiative to ensure the safe transition into college life for Black and Brown students and to provide mentors for them as they progress through their years at IUP. Nabiha is also a founder of Students Against Racism (SAR), a recognized student organization under the umbrella of the Social Equity and Title IX office. This group holds weekly meetings and activities and hosts difficult discussions in a safe space. Nabiha states that her GA experiences taught her that anything is possible and that she can truly have an impact on the world. She is currently in the Criminology and Criminal Justice MA program and will graduate in August. Congratulations and thank you, Nabiha!
Staff Spotlight: Dave Chambers
Dave is an associate professor in the Department of Political Science, where he served as chair in stints totaling more than 15 years and as coordinator of the MA in Public Affairs program for more than 10 years. His areas of specialization include public policy, public administration, organizational behavior and decision making, and the presidency. Over the years, Dave has contributed to the creation and implementation of various teaching and programming efforts, a recent highlight being the Constitution in Crisis series. He has served on countless committees and organizations, including as an APSCUF (Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties) officer, executive council member, and union representative. His civil rights expertise has been invaluable as a member and leader of the IUP Free Speech Project and as a member of the Difficult Dialogues Project, both important initiatives for the IUP community to manage controversial topics in respectful and meaningful ways. In 2021, Dave was awarded the well-deserved Distinguished Faculty Award for Service. He is now retiring after more than three decades at IUP. Dave has been a mentor and friend to so many students and colleagues and will be greatly missed. Congratulations and thank you, Dave!
Staff Spotlight: John Mueller
John is the department chair and graduate coordinator in the Department of Student Affairs in Higher Education (SAHE). In addition to his professional employment experiences in student affairs, he is active in national, regional, and local service. John has served in a variety of leadership roles within the American College Personnel Association (ACPA); as chair of IUP’s LGBTQIA Commission, Safe Zone’s steering committee, and the campus judicial board; and as a member of numerous and varied campus committees. His primary research, writing, and training interests are in multicultural competence and social identity development, with recent publications including “Multicultural Competence in Student Affairs: Advancing Social Justice and Inclusion,” “Embracing Paradigm Shifts to Dismantle Oppressive Structures,” and “Measuring Privileged Identity in Educational Environments.” John values including SAHE students and alumni in his scholarly activities and has published and given presentations with a number of them over the years. He also enjoys traveling the world to learn about higher education and student affairs in other countries, including China, Ireland, Poland, Germany, and South Africa, just to name a few. After two decades at IUP, John is retiring in May. His expertise, guidance, and friendly face on campus will be truly missed. Congratulations and thank you, John!
A note about IUP Values Me: Each week, we will highlight one student and one staff member to shine a spotlight on their great work assisting our campus community with diversity, equity, and inclusion and civil rights awareness. If you would like to nominate someone for next year’s Digests, please email social-equity@iup.edu. Thank you!
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EVENTS OF NOTE THIS WEEK
Please PARTICIPATE or SHARE as appropriate or INCLUDE in your classes.
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Overview
- Tuesday, April 26: Queer Conversations Workshop Series
- Tuesday, April 26: French Club Conversational Café
- Tuesday, April 26: Society for the Appreciation of Cultural and Religious Diversity Presentation: Let’s Talk about Vodou
- Wednesday, April 27: Annual Chalk-the-Walk Commentary Event
- Thursday, April 28: The Pan-African Student Association Presents: A Night of Royalty—Africa Night
- Thursday, April 14: IUP Libraries Diversity Speaker Series: Dr. Channing Moreland
- Friday, April 29: Blood Drive, Noon–5:00 p.m., Folger Student Center
- Friday, April 29: SGA Multicultural Festival
- Friday, April 29: IUP Symphony Orchestra: A New World
- Tuesday, May 3: International Lunch Hour
- Friday, May 6: Crimson Salute
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Details
- Tuesday, April 26: Queer Conversations Workshop Series
5:00–6:00 p.m.—Elkin Hall Great Room
This week’s topic is “Demisexual Visibility.” Further information: lgbtqia-support@iup.edu
- Tuesday, April 26: French Club Conversational Café
6:30 p.m.—McElhaney Library
Come converse in French! IUP Café, the campus French club, will host a Conversation Café during its last weekly meeting. À bientôt! Further information: @iup_cafe
- Tuesday, April 26: Society for the Appreciation of Cultural and Religious Diversity Presentation: Let’s Talk about Vodou
7:30–8:30 p.m.—Leonard Hall, Room 113
Guest speaker Nixon Cleophat will present a discussion on “Towards a Queer Vodou Eco-theology of Liberation: ‘Possession’ and the Trans/formation of Despised Bodies.” Further information: tsmith@iup.edu
- Wednesday, April 27: Annual Chalk-the-Walk Commentary Event
9:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m. (Chalking); 5:00 p.m. (Awards Presentation)—Oak Grove
Do you have an opinion you want to share? Chalk it down! Come to the Oak Grove and unleash your creativity. Supplies provided. A first-place prize of $100 will be awarded. This event is sponsored by the College of Arts and Humanities and the National Art Education Association.
- Thursday, April 28: The Pan-African Student Association Presents: A Night of Royalty—Africa Night
5:00–9:00 p.m.—HUB Ohio Room
Join host organization PASA for this formal-attire evening, also known as “Africa Night,” filled with food, culture, music, and performances. Tickets are $8 if ordered in advance and $12 at the door. For further information or to preorder tickets, contact Maimouna Ndongo, kqqx@iup.edu.
- Thursday, April 28: IUP Libraries Diversity Speaker Series: Dr. Channing Moreland
6:00–7:00 p.m.—Leonard Hall, Room B-10, or via Zoom
Guest speaker Channing Moreland ’10, M’13 will present “Health and Wellness Matters.” Moreland is the senior director of Strategic Programs and Services at the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences and the inaugural director of the Pitt Wellness Pavilion at the Homewood Community Engagement Center. Moreland also serves as co-owner and clinician at Sanant Counseling and Wellness, LLC. Further information: Carol Asamoah, carasam@iup.edu
- Friday, April 29: SGA Multicultural Festival
2:00–3:00 p.m.—Wallwork Courtyard
Join the Student Government Association for this fourth annual showcase of clubs and organizations that celebrate and highlight multicultural contributions to the IUP community. Cohosted by the Residence Hall Association. Further information: sga-officers@iup.edu
- Friday, April 29: IUP Symphony Orchestra: A New World
8:00–9:00 p.m.—Fisher Auditorium
The IUP Symphony Orchestra’s final concert will welcome guest conductor Alexander Jimenez, Florida State University, who will lead the orchestra in selections from two symphonies steeped in American history: William Grant Still’s groundbreaking Afro-American Symphony and Antonin Dvorak’s monumental Symphony no. 9, From the New World. IUP junior Kayla Holsopple, winner of the Music Department’s 2021 Concerto Competition, will perform Arild Plau’s dynamic Concerto for Tuba and Strings. Free admission. Further information: lively-arts@iup.edu
- Tuesday, May 3: International Lunch Hour
Noon–2:00 p.m.—Blue Room, Sutton Hall
International students are invited to this luncheon to eat and share information about their home countries and cultures. Further information: intl-education@iup.edu
- Friday, May 6: Crimson Salute
5:15 p.m.—Toretti Auditorium, Kovalchick Complex
This special event honors and celebrates our diverse graduates. IUP alumna Tishekia E. Williams, Esq., will serve as this year’s keynote speaker. All participating graduates will receive multicultural cords, and award winners will be announced. A reception will immediately follow the ceremony. This event is sponsored by the Multicultural Affairs and Student Success office. Further information: coates@iup.edu, 724-357-2598, MCSLE
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Hosting an event you’d like us to mention in an upcoming issue?
Digest issues are emailed every Monday morning. Send all information concerning your event to social-equity@iup.edu, and we will include it in the appropriate weekly issue. And, please be sure to enter your event in the CMS through the DIVERSITY, STUDENT, and CENTRAL CALENDARS so that it will receive wider marketing, appear in IUP Now, and achieve greater attendance.
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