Center for Social Justice and Inclusion

��-Dearborn celebrates 30th Annual MLK Day of Service

stuxbury — Mon, 16 Jan 2023 22:03:45 +0000

��-Dearborn celebrates 30th Annual MLK Day of Service stuxbury Mon, 01/16/2023 - 17:03

On Monday, athletes, academics, alumni and others came together as advocates. For the 30th year at ��-Dearborn, hundreds of people went out to help others in the name and memory of Civil Rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr.

During that 30 years, Chancellor Domenico Grasso said 8500 people have volunteered 42,000 hours in Detroit and the surrounding areas.

“This year is especially important to us because a few months ago we dedicated our University Center after James Renick, who was the chancellor that started this MLK Day of Service,” Grasso said. “We are indebted to him, not only for starting this, but for reaching out to our community and building stronger partnerships.”

Volunteers from ��-Dearborn, Henry Ford College and throughout the community lent a helping hand and inspired positive change. They had the option to serve in person or work remotely to support community agencies like the Capuchin Services Center, Gleaners, Eternal Light and Forgotten Harvest.

At the Arts & Scraps table in ��-Dearborn’s Fairlane Center, Delta Sigma Theta sorority chapter President Destiny Proffett sorted craft supplies to be used in schools and community programs. Proffett said she looks forward to volunteering on MLK Day because of the solidarity she sees.

“It’s important to get out and give of yourself to help others,” said Proffett, who volunteered with members from her organization. “Dr. King strongly believed in service. Hopefully a day like today creates a spark that lights the way for a lifelong commitment to service.”

During welcome remarks, ��-Dearborn Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer Keisha Blevins talked about the power of voice. She said people honor Dr. King’s legacy by getting involved and by speaking up — not just on MLK Day or this week, but every day.

“Dr. King’s determination for equal rights and service to others should speak to all of us as human beings. He believed that we had a responsibility to not only use our own voices but to also speak on behalf of those whose voices are being silenced and to make room for them,” she said. “We are fortunate to be a part of a university that believes in inclusion and community impact.”

See what ��-Dearborn and Henry Ford College volunteers did during the 30th Annual MLK Day of Service.

Chancellor Domenico Grasso works with Brooke Garland at the Arts & Scraps table in campus' Fairlane Center North to create bags of materials to send to local schools and community organizations.

��-Dearborn students Jack Meyers and Allyssa Decato sorted boxes of craft supplies at Arts & Scraps in Detroit.

Fairlane Center was set up to pack meals for Kids Against Hunger, which has provided a total of 162 million meals to children and families in need in 65 countries.

��-Dearborn Chief Officer for Inclusion and Diversity Keisha Blevins and graduate student Alvita Yathati package the nutrient mix, which will be sent to hungry families.

MLK Day of Service volunteers spent the day at the Capuchin Services Center in Detroit.

Students, alumni, staff and children spent time knitting hats and scarves to donate to homeless shelters. Abigail Awood, 10, crocheted with her mother ��-Dearborn Graduate Programs Coordinator Rebekah Awood.

��-Dearborn cross country runners Gavin Llewelyn and Luke Kaferle made rollable plastic mats with carrying handles for homeless shelters.

MLK Day of Service volunteers spent time at Gleaners in Taylor, where they sorted food items, packaged boxes that will be distributed to people in need in the southeastern Michigan region.

Office of TRIO Programs Adviser Rachel Leonard, right, and ��-Dearborn TRIO tutor/mentors Gigi Nassir, left, and Austin Kipfmiller, center, finish making a fleece blanket. The blankets made will be send to nonprofit organizations like Vista Maria.

Have photos of the MLK Day of Service that you'd like us to add? Reach out to umdearborn-news@umich.edu.

Campus Life

Volunteer or Community Service

Center for Social Justice and Inclusion

Chancellor

Off

Mon, 01/16/2023 - 22:01

The MLK Day of Service hosted nearly 400 volunteers who served at 10 sites at ��-Dearborn and in the community.

��-Dearborn students Vanessa Coly, Savannah Welch and Morgan Jones making roll up mats out of plastic bags that will be donated to organizations like Vista Maria. Photos by Sarah Tuxbury

Celebrate the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.

stuxbury — Wed, 11 Jan 2023 21:54:39 +0000

Celebrate the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. stuxbury Wed, 01/11/2023 - 16:54

A variety of voices and events on- and off-campus next week will honor the life of Martin Luther King Jr.

A Peace Rally brings community members together to continue social justice efforts. Students in multicultural organizations — like the Black Student Union, Alpha Psi Lambda Latino Fraternity, Indian Graduate Student Association and others — will reflect on Dr. King’s legacy. Professors will discuss the role of religion in civil rights.

“And there are more events and activities planned. This is a campus and community collective effort to continue Dr. King’s legacy through intentional inclusion,” said Center for Social Justice and Inclusion Director Shareia Carter. “It’s wonderful to see such strong partnerships across the university and into the community come together.”

The Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service on Jan. 16 — a day that’s all about partnership — starts off the Martin Luther King Week of Events. Chancellor Domenico Grasso, Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer Keisha Blevins and Henry Ford College President Russ Kavalhuna will give opening remarks starting at 9:30 a.m. at Fairlane Center North's Quad E.

In its 30th year, ��-Dearborn and Henry Ford College have partnered to organize a day where the two schools can assist community-based organizations through a variety of options. Volunteers can pack food boxes for families in need, sort gently used clothing at Capuchin Services Center, make fleece blankets for shelters and more.

“That is a big deal — we are celebrating 30 years for a single event. We even pivoted it remotely to still have the Day of Service during the pandemic,” Carter said. “We’re proud of the campus’ ongoing commitment to Dr. King’s legacy.”

Here are campus events taking place next week that highlight MLK, the Civil Rights Movement and the importance of continued social justice work.

Ongoing

Mardigian Library Book Display and De-Stress Zone
Learn more about civil rights activism in Detroit and surrounding areas. Celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr.’s legacy through education. Books and other materials highlighted in the Mardigian Library’s first floor display case and in the de-stress zone are available for check out.

•••

Through Jan. 18

Martin Luther King Jr. and Civil Rights Icons of Detroit
MLK came to Southeast Michigan in 1963 to give his “I Have A Dream” speech, which had an impact on the Civil Rights Movement. Advocates and activists such as Rosa Parks, Rev. Nicholas Hood, Sr, Grace Lee Boggs and others played a significant role too. Explore their lives and the Civil Rights Movement through a display on the first floor of the Mardigian Library.

•••

Monday, Jan. 16

30th Annual ��-Dearborn MLK Day of Service
10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Volunteers from across campus and the surrounding community will come together to lend a helping hand and inspire long lasting and positive change throughout the Metro Detroit area. Volunteers will work remotely or in person to support Detroit-area community agencies in fulfilling their valuable missions. Registration is closed, but you can get more information.

•••

Tuesday, Jan. 17

Chancellor's Video Club: Baldwin/Buckley Debate
10:30 a.m., Renick University Center, Kochoff Hall B
Watch the video “James Baldwin vs William F Buckley: A legendary debate” (it’s less than one hour) and discuss it during the first Chancellor’s Video Club. You can watch on your own or join a public viewing at 9:30 a.m., just prior to the discussion.

“Addressing Racism in the White Church,” a talk lead by Calvin University Professor Kristen Kobes Du Mez and ��-Dearborn Associate Professor Terri Laws
1-2:30 p.m. Zoom.
Calvin University Professor Kristen Kobes Du Mez and ��-Dearborn Associate Professor of African and African American Studies Terri Laws will discuss racism in the white church, what effect this segment of the U.S. population has had on American culture, and the threat that racism in the white Evangelical church presents to American democracy.

•••

Wednesday, Jan. 18

"Impact of the Dream" Film Screening and Discussion
6-8 p.m. Mardigian Library, room 1211. Register to attend.
The Campus Video Network and the Black Student Union created a short film featuring ��-Dearborn's community members’ thoughts on the legacy and impact of Dr. King and his dream.

•••

Thursday, Jan. 19

2023 MLK Peace Rally
11 a.m.-1 p.m. Thursday, Meet at the Renick University Center. Register to attend.
Poster making begins at 11 a.m.; the rally starts at noon at the UC's north-east entrance.
A peaceful march from ��-Dearborn to Henry Ford College recognizes the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and commemorates the role that protest has taken in shaping our society. Hear messages from the Black Student Union, Student Government, Alpha Psi Lambda, Indian Graduate Student Association and a keynote address from Henry Ford College African American Studies Professor Kalvin Harvell. The rally will end at Henry Ford College's Building L. Snacks will be provided upon arrival at HFC.

Article by Sarah Tuxbury.

Volunteer or Community Service

Center for Social Justice and Inclusion

Off

Wed, 01/11/2023 - 21:53

��-Dearborn hosts several events that highlight Dr. King, the Civil Rights Movement and the importance of continued social justice work.

Graphic by Violet Dashi

A way to remember lost loved ones

stuxbury — Thu, 03 Nov 2022 00:30:37 +0000

A way to remember lost loved ones stuxbury Wed, 11/02/2022 - 20:30

Death and loss is universal. So a student organization invites people across campus to share photos of their loved ones in an act of remembrance.

Dia de los Muertos — Day of the Dead — is a holiday that focuses on celebrating deceased loved ones through sharing their favorite foods, displaying items that remind you of the person and storytelling. The celebration is widely observed in Mexico on Nov. 1 and 2.

On Tuesday, Alpha Psi Lambda Latino co-ed fraternity created a Día de los Muertos ofrenda in the University Center’s Wolverine Commons. It will be up through Nov. 8 for people to add framed photos of family and friends. There’s also a digital photo frame — if you want to share an image to include on it.

“No matter your identity, it’s important to celebrate loved ones and remember them. Everyone remembers someone they lost,” said Alpha Psi Lambda President Ivett Facundo, a senior studying anthropology. “We wanted to set up a beautiful space for people to share that loss and celebrate that person.”

Facundo brought three photos to share, ones that are often on her mother’s home ofrenda. In one, she’s a young girl with her grandparents in their rural Mexican town. “I have this photo and remember talking with my great grandfather on the phone. He was really nice. But I don’t have many memories other than what’s been shared with me. That’s why it’s important to talk about people who have died — so future generations can get to know them too.”

There’s also an ofrenda on Mardigian Library’s second floor. But that one is a little different, said Alpha Psi Lambda member Brianna Bryant, a human-centered design engineering major. It commemorates people who’ve fought — and often died — for social justice causes.

“These people were more than the incident that made them a recognizable name. It’s important to remember that. We include joyful images of these advocates, poems and inspirational stories,” Bryant said.

The Center for Social Justice and Inclusion worked on this campus project with the students. The center’s Intercultural & Intersectional Identities Program Manager Jerrard Wheeler said if students want to share their heritage with campus in an interactive way, the center is happy to support them.

“The many cultures and identities make ��-Dearborn a truly amazing place — and students are open to sharing these aspects of themselves,” he said. “They want to learn from us, and want us to learn from them.”

Article by Sarah Tuxbury.

Campus Life

Center for Social Justice and Inclusion

College of Arts, Sciences, and Letters

Student Engagement

Student Life

Off

Thu, 11/03/2022 - 00:30

Alpha Psi Lambda Latino fraternity created a Día de los Muertos ofrenda in the University Center’s Wolverine Commons. It will be up through Nov. 8 for people to add framed photos of family and friends.

Alpha Psi Lambda members Ivett Facundo, right, and Brianna Bryant set off an ofrenda in the University Center. Photo by Sarah Tuxbury

'Out of the mountain of despair, a stone of hope'

tinahu — Mon, 17 Jan 2022 18:21:21 +0000

'Out of the mountain of despair, a stone of hope' tinahu Mon, 01/17/2022 - 13:21

For nearly three decades, volunteers have come together for ��-Dearborn’s MLK Day of Service to work toward creating positive change throughout metropolitan Detroit in the name of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his legacy.

And the work continues.

The annual service-day event, which is a partnership between ��-Dearborn and Henry Ford College, included more than 10 volunteer projects that took place throughout Southeastern Michigan.

��-Dearborn Chancellor Domenico Grasso, who greeted participants working in campus’ Fairlane Center packing meal kits, making blankets and more, welcomed participants to a “day-on” that honors King.

“It’s been 54 years since Dr. King was assassinated and we still live in a society of unequal privilege and opportunity,” Grasso said. “Here at ��-Dearborn we are committed to being a gateway of opportunity for everyone who has the talent and potential and drive to want to be successful.” View his video message.

Volunteers were among the more than 300 people gathering both in spirit remotely and at in-person sites to knit hats and scarves to keep people in our community warm, assembled meals for the hungry and more. See more images from the day.

Students pack meal kits in Fairlane Center North for the Kids Coalition Against Hunger. Photo by Scott Soderberg

Junior Allysa Decato, a political science major and Delta Phi Epsilon president, spent the day at Detroit’s Arts & Scraps, where they created 400-plus STEM kits for children at local schools and in the community. She said an Alternative Spring Break experience in Memphis she had as a ��-Dearborn freshman inspired her to volunteer.

“We stopped at the Lorraine Motel where Dr. King was shot and killed. It makes an impact on you when you see it — it’s so surreal. We saw his hotel room door, the stuff that was left in his room, and listened to the people share stories about Dr. King at the Civil Rights Museum,” she said. “He died because of his message. So what can I do to keep his message alive?”

MLK Day of Service 2022 participants went to Detroit's Arts & Scraps where they put together more than 400 STEM-based art projects. Photo by Allysa Decato

��-Dearborn’s Executive Director for Facilities Operations Carol Glick spent her day at Forgotten Harvest in Oak Park with Dearborn Wolverine students and alumni. They packed nearly 2,800 pounds of food to feed the community.

Glick said she looks forward to volunteering annually because it’s important to find ways to connect with people in our communities and to engage in concrete activities that help to make things better.

Participants packed nearly 2800 pounds of food at Forgotten Harvest. Photo by Carol Glick

“During these times, it’s easy to become isolated and caught in our own bubble where it might feel like everything is a crisis. But then you step back and see what’s important in a larger context — like families having access to food,” Glick said. “I believe in Dr. Martin Luther King’s dream that someday we will have a society where the content of our characters is more important than the colors of our skin. It’s important to not lose sight of his dream.”

MLK Day of Service Co-Chair Shareia Carter said the MLK Day of Service planning committee chose Dr. King’s quote, “Out of the mountain of despair, a stone of hope” because his words stood out after the challenges the world continues to face with the pandemic.

“Rolling into 2022, we are all clinging to hope. I think people continue to be so invested in campus’ MLK Day of Service because it lights something within you. It’s more than doing good — it’s carrying on the legacy of Dr. King and his work for justice for peace,” Carter said. “I see the day as the light for the torch for us to carry into the rest of the year’s 11 months. And light is something we all could use more of in our lives.”

Want additional ways to honor Dr. King’s legacy? Check out ��-Dearborn’s MLK Week of Events.

CALLING IN THE CALL OUT CULTURE
3:30-5 p.m. Tuesday, Online. Register.
Loretta Ross — nationally-recognized expert on racism and racial justice, women's rights, and human rights — leads a discussion on challenging the Call Out culture of social justice movements and academic spaces in order to build a united human rights movement. Check out the VictorsLink page.

CHANGE IT UP!: BYSTANDER INTERVENTION TRAINING
There are two online Change it Up Curriculum sessions.
• Faculty/Staff Session, 1-2:30 p.m. Wednesday via Zoom. Register.
• Student Session, 2:30-4:30 p.m. Wednesday via Zoom. Register.

PEACE RALLY
Noon-1 p.m. Thursday, Meet at the ��-Dearborn University Center. Register.
Join the Peace Rally walk from ��-Dearborn's University Center to the Henry Ford College Student Center. Speakers include Mayor Abdullah Hammoud and Henry Ford College sociologist Kalvin DaRonne Harvell.

Admissions

Campus Life

Inclusion or Diversity

University-wide

Volunteer or Community Service

Center for Social Justice and Inclusion

Chancellor

College of Arts, Sciences, and Letters

College of Business

College of Education, Health, and Human Services

College of Engineering and Computer Science

Off

Mon, 01/17/2022 - 18:21

For the 29th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service, 300-plus people gathered remotely and in-person to do more than 10 projects that included knitting hats and scarves to keep people in our community warm, assembling meals for the hungry and more.

Chancellor Domenico Grasso makes fleece blankets with students at the 29th Annual MLK Day of Service. Photo by Scott Soderberg

Campus Colleagues: Shareia Carter

stuxbury — Mon, 10 Jan 2022 19:04:17 +0000

Campus Colleagues: Shareia Carter stuxbury Mon, 01/10/2022 - 14:04

The Center for Social Justice and Inclusion Director Shareia Carter is an advocate. She’s worked for First Step Domestic and Sexual Violence Services prior coming to ��-Dearborn 15 years ago. And, while on campus, Shareia led the Women’s Resource Center until 2019 when she transitioned into directing the newly formed Center for Social Justice and Inclusion director.

“Our mission is to help people be their best – whatever that looks like. We want to connect students with faculty, staff and community members so they can reach the fullest potential of their goals and dreams,” she said. “We all know that life has its challenges. Our students need to be supported and know that they always have someone here for them.”

Outside of work, she continues to look for ways to advocate and educate. She’s volunteered with organizations like the Michigan American Council on Education Women of Color Collaborative, the Wayne County Counsel Against Family Violence, the National Women’s Studies Association, the National Organization for Women and the American Association of University Women. And Shareia and daughter Peyton, 12, travel the world to broaden their horizons.

Shareia — who serves as a committee co-chair for the campus’ MLK Day of Service — recently discussed what a new year means to her, her travels, and campus’ upcoming MLK Day of Service.

Her life changed on MLK Day 2009.

“I remember how exciting 2009 was. My daughter Peyton was due on Feb. 2. President Barack Obama's inauguration was Jan. 20. But I think Peyton wanted to be here for it — she made her entrance Jan. 19, which was MLK Day. And then we watched President Obama’s inauguration in the hospital. Later I took a trip to Washington D.C. with Peyton and we toured the White House when President Obama was in office. She was too little to remember that — but Mommy remembers. Family and history is so important to me. That year was monumental for our nation and for me on a personal level.”

Traveling is important because it gives you new perspectives.

“I haven’t traveled much for nearly two years because of COVID concerns. And I miss it. The point of traveling isn’t just to get away, it’s about exposure to a different place, people, language, food… everything.

Now that I am a parent, I want my daughter to be fearless when it comes to traveling and be welcoming when it comes to new experiences. Together we’ve traveled to several U.S. states, as well Spain, Italy, France, Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico. I love seeing the world through her eyes — and she’s 12, so we’ve got good experiences under our belts and time to make more memories before she’s grown.”

One of her first travel experiences involved seeing The Lorraine Motel.

“In my younger years, I went on a tour of historically Black colleges and universities in the South. It was organized by Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Inkster Alumnae Chapter, a National Pan-Hellenic Council sorority founded at Howard University. It wasn’t just going to the respective campuses, it also included important historic sites. One of the places we visited was Lorraine Motel, which is where Dr. King, Jr. was assassinated. It was surreal to be where his life was taken and be standing in history. As a younger person, I didn’t fully understand the magnitude of the moment. But I still carry that memory with me and, as an adult, really appreciate that I had the opportunity to travel there as a younger student.”

As a new year begins, remember to be kind to yourself.

“I’m not putting a whole lot of expectations out there for 2022. I just want my family to be healthy. I’ll be grateful for the small wins. It's rough out there, so whatever happens it’s important to be kind to yourself. Even if you make a mistake, remember that we all live and learn.

For MLK Day of Service this year, we chose Dr. King’s quote, ‘Out of the mountain of despair, a stone of hope.’ It really stood out after the last couple years we had. Rolling into 2022, we are all clinging to hope. I think people continue to be so invested in campus’ MLK Day of Service because it lights something within you. It’s more than doing good — it’s carrying on the legacy of Dr. King and his work for justice for peace. I see the day as the light for the torch for us to carry into the rest of the year’s 11 months. And light is something we all could use more of in our lives.”

Faculty and Staff

Center for Social Justice and Inclusion

Staff Senate

Off

Mon, 01/10/2022 - 19:03

Center for Social Justice and Inclusion Director Shareia Carter is an advocate. She’s also always looking for ways to help others and educate through her service and live-and-learn lessons.

Photo of Shareia Carter and her daughter Peyton in Paris in 2019.

Campus Colleagues: Simone Dixon is an advocate to help students, faculty and staff

stuxbury — Wed, 01 Sep 2021 18:52:47 +0000

Campus Colleagues: Simone Dixon is an advocate to help students, faculty and staff stuxbury Wed, 09/01/2021 - 14:52

Photo of Simone Dixon

Campus’ Simone Dixon is ��-Dearborn’s first Project Manager for Violence Prevention and Response Initiatives. In this role, she’ll serve as campus’ support person for survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking. She’ll also help develop culturally-relevant, campus-based programming with the goals of strengthening and creating new educational and training services.

This dedicated advocate is serious about helping start conversations that shift perspectives. But to do that, you need to be relatable. And Simone is — she’s an engaging communicator with a sense of humor.

She shares that she likes trying out Pinterest projects, even if they end up a Nailed It!-level fail. She enjoys a good “dad joke.” Here’s one: “I went to the doctor and they told me I had to cut back on my caffeine intake. I asked if I could get a second opinion and they said “Yes, of course! Your shoes are ugly too.” And she really likes the energy that comes with being on a college campus.

Talking with Simone recently, she shared how she knew ��-Dearborn was the right fit for her, how her family experiences helped shape her career interests, and the importance of setting boundaries when it comes to self care.

Question: Your role on campus is a newly created one. Can you share a bit about it?

Simone Dixon: ��-Dearborn was awarded a grant through the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office on Violence Against Women. My position was created from the grant to “reduce domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking on campus.”

Q: What about ��-Dearborn impressed you?

SD: Data shows that ��-Dearborn is one of the safest campuses in the state of Michigan. During my interview, I asked why campus wanted to do work on violence prevention if they were ranked among the safest. The answer? They felt they could still do more to make sure people are safe and supported. That’s when I knew this was the right place for me.

If the commitment is there, we can work through the difficult topics — biases, discrimination, harassment, systemic racism, sexism. I’ve had people email me and say, “I’m nervous to have these conversations. I don’t know enough.” When I reply to messages, I want to know their “why” so I can understand how to develop and facilitate what is needed.

Honestly, if someone says it’s because they care or their team cares, that’s good enough for me. The commitment is the most essential part. I’m not here to make you change; that part is up to you. I’m here to share why it’s important to have compassion for all people, not just the people who are similar to us.

Q: What led you to a career in supporting people?

SD: I was raised in a household that was big on empathy and service. We volunteered in soup kitchens and worked in our community. No one is above receiving help or giving help — that was a message that my parents made clear through their words and actions.

I started college thinking I wanted to go into social work, but things changed my mind right before applying to the social work program. My mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. She went from mammogram to biopsy to mastectomy in five months. It was physical and mentally traumatizing. We were scared and had questions, but the doctors kept responding with how lucky she was. It was dismissive. They weren’t hearing her.

I wanted to understand why. I found the Women and Gender Studies program and powered through it in a year — it gave me what I needed to explore our systems and why they work the way they do. I realized that those responding from listening and supportive roles operated from the framework of their understanding of our identities. Being a queer first-generation student of color, I noticed that more often times than not the support I was receiving didn’t take in into consideration my needs based on those identities. So I wanted to be that support.

I see it like this: For me, social work is the band-aid — the support and resources — needed after someone trips and falls over a sidewalk crack. But I learned that I want to know why the crack’s there in the first place so we can fill it in.

Q: Being an advocate is rewarding, but it can be stressful. How do you relieve stress?

SD: I do a few things. More times than not, they have a creative aspect to them. It really depends on how I’m feeling and which method of expression will allow me to recenter myself. I color. I get recipes off of Pinterest — some are meh, but others are really good. I made macaroni and cheese from scratch from a Pinterest recipe with a gouda and white cheddar sauce. My girlfriend loved it. I also refinish furniture. I found a bench on Facebook Marketplace — the top was scratched and nicked, but it was cheap. I got three yards of a rich green fabric and spent hours pulling and tightening fabric across the top and securing it in place with a nail gun. That nail gun takes a lot out of you, but it was worth it. I have a great looking bench for $30 and I’m proud that I did it myself.

Q: What advice do you have for people to make time for self care?

SD: Lean into the power of “no”. This is something that I have been working on. I’m naturally an empathetic person. I want to help. I want to get involved. But it becomes stressful when it feels like it’s expected because you are typically the first one to volunteer or because you are the only one who doesn’t have kids.

I know many people who, like me, want to help — but they need to take care of their own lives too. Yes, I don’t have kids. But I have a career, graduate school, a girlfriend, and things I want to accomplish. It’s important to set boundaries and don’t feel guilty. It’s hard to do — so start with small steps. For example, if you are asked by your friends or family to do something and it’s not convenient...but you don’t want to say no, agree to it on a day or time that’s better for you. If they won’t factor your needs into what they’re asking of you, make it a hard no. It’s still a struggle for me, but I’m learning that the word no is not the end of the world. It makes room for priorities and self care.

For more information regarding getting involved, the Coordinated Community Response Team or questions you may have, please contact Dearbornpreventioneducation@umich.edu.

Faculty and Staff

Teaching Resource

Center for Social Justice and Inclusion

Off

Wed, 09/01/2021 - 18:50

Simone Dixon is ��-Dearborn’s first Project Manager for Violence Prevention and Response Initiatives. Learn more about Dixon, her role and how she knew ��-Dearborn was the place for her.

Pioneering LGBTQ+ psychology research wins competition

stuxbury — Mon, 08 Mar 2021 19:20:21 +0000

Pioneering LGBTQ+ psychology research wins competition stuxbury Mon, 03/08/2021 - 14:20

In a world where people are often told to “be yourself,” what happens when you can’t?

��-Dearborn psychology graduate student Charlie Giraud wants to know. So he’s spent more than a year researching the psychological effect of identity concealment in minority communities — and in particular, people who identify as LGBTQ+.

“I am a member of the LGBTQ+ community. I have so many friends and loved ones who go to great lengths to conceal parts of themselves. Some are at peace with this, but many conceal because of fear for safety and wanting to ‘fit in’ to the world around them,” Giraud says. “I’ve done this too — watched to make sure my hands weren’t moving too much, being careful not to sound a certain way when I talked. It’s very stressful. So what is the effect of this stress?”

Giraud recently presented his “Discrimination, Concealment, & Multiple Minority Status within LGBTQ+ Populations” research during ��-Dearborn’s Three-Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition; he came in first place. Giraud says his thesis adviser Psychology Associate Professor Michelle Leonard encouraged him to present and he appreciates the research support from both Leonard and Women’s and Gender Studies Associate Professor Amy Brainer.

The 3MT Competition, originally developed by The University of Queensland, cultivates academic, presentation and research communication skills with students presenting their work succinctly and in an easy-to-understand way. The virtual campus event was sponsored by the Office of Graduate Studies and the Office of Research. Giraud will remotely present later this month at the Midwestern Association of Graduate Schools 3MT Competition.

Giraud says there’s a lack of research on this topic and he’s glad to have a platform like 3MT to share his research. He says membership in LGBTQ+ community is heavily reliant on identity-centered factors. Because of this, many people within this population face forms of individual (perceived) and institutional (systemic) discrimination, which often leads to concealment.

He says people in the LGBTQ+ community anecdotally know this. But data is needed to academically validate these experiences and move inclusive institutional policies forward.

“LGBTQ+ individuals who have faced forms of discrimination are more likely to have adverse physical and psychological health consequences,” he says. “They often turn to various coping mechanisms, such as concealment of their identity — for protection and safety — which often contributes to lower levels of reporting acts of discrimination through legal avenues due to fear of identity disclosure and other factors. This isn’t good for the individual or for society. Change is needed.” Giraud says his research is ongoing and he’s also looking how being a member of multiple minority groups — for example, if someone identifies as Black and gay — influences concealment.

Giraud, who plans to pursue a doctoral degree and become a therapist specializing in LGBTQ+ needs, looks forward to presenting his work to a larger audience. He says his research is helping him grow professionally and personally.

“There is much to be concerned about. But looking at these issues is also empowering. You realize you are not alone; identity concealment is a common experience. There’s some comfort in that,” he says. “And by doing this presentation, I am no longer concealing — I am being myself and putting myself out there. I hope others find inspiration in that.”

Graduate Research

Inclusion or Diversity

Center for Social Justice and Inclusion

Office of Research

Off

Mon, 03/08/2021 - 19:17

Graduate student Charlie Giraud noticed identity concealment, particularly among members of the LGBTQ+ community, is an area that’s lacking in academic research. So he set out to change that.

An intentional and focused campuswide step toward sexual violence prevention and survivor-centered support

stuxbury — Wed, 16 Dec 2020 18:33:50 +0000

An intentional and focused campuswide step toward sexual violence prevention and survivor-centered support stuxbury Wed, 12/16/2020 - 13:33

Taking steps to support sexual violence survivors

It’s important to provide education and support to students, faculty and staff about worldwide health and human rights concerns like sexual violence, relationship violence and stalking.

��-Dearborn is listed as one of Michigan’s safest public universities in rankings from sites like stateuniversity.com and, for transparency, an annual campus report shares instances of sexual misconduct brought to the attention of the university and the response. Center for Social Justice and Inclusion Director Shareia Carter says it is important to stay vigilant, transparent and prioritize safety, while also expanding sexual violence prevention efforts and providing dedicated support for survivors.

So Carter — along with Sociology Professor Pamela Aronson, Dean of Students Amy Finley, Public Safety Director and Chief of Police Gary Gorski, and Office for Institutional Equity Director Pamela Heatlie — worked together to secure a large federal grant from the Department of Justice (DOJ) to expand campus educational initiatives and support to sexual assault, relationship violence and stalking survivors.

The DOJ’s Office on Violence Against Women recently awarded ��-Dearborn $300,000 over three years to hire a fulltime staff member to be a campus-based support person for survivors, to oversee the online education for incoming students, and to begin an in-person prevention education program specifically designed for our campus’ unique population of commuters and non-traditional students, as well as programming for faculty and staff. The grant proposal also includes a formal partnership with local nonprofit First Step to offer a 24/7 helpline for campus and more.

“We know that members of our community experience sexual and relationship violence and we continue to work to provide needed support, resources and options,” Finley says. “We are deeply committed to educating people on what this violence looks like, steps to take when you encounter this violence, and to let people know that there is a designated person on campus you can go to when you need support.”

Campus is currently in the hiring process for the director; the plan is to have the staff member in place during the Winter 2021 semester.

Heatlie says the new position will work closely with many campus offices and departments like the Department of Police and Public Safety and Counseling and Psychological Services. She says faculty and staff will continue their efforts to keep campus a safe place for all — but now there will be a centralized person dedicated to supporting sexual violence survivors and developing educational programs.

“This person will support the entire campus community — students, faculty and staff,” Heatlie says. “Meaningful support coming from a person who is trained in this area and responds in a caring and informative manner gives us a greater chance as an institution to help survivors stay engaged and involved with this campus.”

Aronson, whose research focuses on the transition to adulthood, says having a director will also give faculty members a point person to give when students share personal situations that include unhealthy relationship behaviors and/or relationship violence.

“We know there are organizations that can help, but students need a person who is nearby and trusted,” she says. “It’s really important to give students holistic support as they work toward their educational goals.”

Carter says the grant was a collaborative effort from many around campus — and she looks forward to continuing the conversation around sexual assault, stalking and relationship violence through future workshops, speaker panels and prevention education efforts.

“This grant is major for our campus. It’s taking a good effort on addressing these concerns and turning it into a great one. It allows us to expand what we have been doing and create intentional and engaging learning experiences that are right for our campus community.”

Health and Wellness

Center for Social Justice and Inclusion

Public Safety (Police)

Off

Wed, 12/16/2020 - 18:30

Through a collaborative effort, ��-Dearborn secured a Department of Justice grant to expand campus educational initiatives and support services surrounding sexual assault, stalking and relationship violence.

Center for Social Justice and Inclusion

������-Dearborn celebrates 30th Annual MLK Day of Service

See what ������-Dearborn and Henry Ford College volunteers did during the 30th Annual MLK Day of Service.

Celebrate the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.

Ongoing

Through Jan. 18

Monday, Jan. 16

Tuesday, Jan. 17

Wednesday, Jan. 18

Thursday, Jan. 19

A way to remember lost loved ones

'Out of the mountain of despair, a stone of hope'

Campus Colleagues: Shareia Carter

Her life changed on MLK Day 2009.

Traveling is important because it gives you new perspectives.

One of her first travel experiences involved seeing The Lorraine Motel.

As a new year begins, remember to be kind to yourself.

Campus Colleagues: Simone Dixon is an advocate to help students, faculty and staff

Question: Your role on campus is a newly created one. Can you share a bit about it?

Q: What about ������-Dearborn impressed you?

Q: What led you to a career in supporting people?

Q: Being an advocate is rewarding, but it can be stressful. How do you relieve stress?

Q: What advice do you have for people to make time for self care?

Pioneering LGBTQ+ psychology research wins competition

An intentional and focused campuswide step toward sexual violence prevention and survivor-centered support

��-Dearborn celebrates 30th Annual MLK Day of Service

See what ��-Dearborn and Henry Ford College volunteers did during the 30th Annual MLK Day of Service.

Q: What about ��-Dearborn impressed you?