Going Places</h1> <article> <h1>Going Places</h1> <p>azaleski — Thu, 19 Feb 2026 21:03:52 +0000</p> <span>Going Places</span> <span><span>azaleski</span></span> <span><time datetime="2026-02-19T16:03:52-05:00" title="Thursday, February 19, 2026 - 16:03">Thu, 02/19/2026 - 16:03</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Earlier this year, Luca Johnson ’24 landed his dream role: working on the Safe Routes Philly initiative. </p><p>Managed by Philadelphia’s Office of Transportation, Infrastructure, and Sustainability, the city-wide program helps protect children from traffic incidents on their way to school.</p><p>Johnson’s role at Safe Routes, which is supported by the AmeriCorps VISTA program, is helping him master skills for administering a public initiative for a major city, such as grant writing and community outreach.</p><p>“My favorite part of what I’ve been doing is joining a walking or biking ‘school bus,’ where students, parents, and volunteers meet and walk or bike to school together,” Johnson says. “I get to bike with the kids and talk to them about safe biking practices.”</p><p>Growing up in the Boston area, he always wanted to work in public transportation—and saw first-hand how the subway system (colloquially known as the T) and the city’s bus lines tended to benefit wealthier neighborhoods. </p><p>At �鶹��Ƶ, he pursued this interest in public transit with depth, rigor, and passion thanks to the <a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/sociology">sociology</a> department. Encouraged by Professor of Sociology <a href="/greggor-mattson">Greggor Mattson</a>, Johnson applied and won the <a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/sociology/awards">Jerome Davis Research Award</a>, which sent him to Los Angeles to conduct fieldwork on the city’s metro system.</p><p>With the help of his advisor, William G. Smith Associate Professor of Sociology and Comparative American Studies <a href="/alicia-smith-tran">Alicia Smith-Tran ’10</a>, Johnson presented his findings on “transit vanity projects as a representation of spatial injustice” at a conference of the North Central Sociological Association.</p><p>Throughout his time at �鶹��Ƶ, Johnson says he felt supported in his desire to follow his curiosity. “Community-centered transportation is a very niche field, and that was intimidating when I first entered the job market,” he says. “But �鶹��Ƶ’s ability to encourage these niches makes it so that when you do find that fit, your level of interest is really rewarded.</p><p>“Having the freedom to explore my intellectual interests at �鶹��Ƶ and being in a supportive learning environment gave me the confidence to enter a space like the Office of Transportation with a growth mindset,” he adds. “I know that ‘growth mindset’ is such a phrase—but it’s true, and it allowed me to soak in all the information I can here.”</p><p>Johnson especially appreciated his soft landing in Philly. In early 2025, while living in Los Angeles, his previous organization shut down due to funding cuts, and he lost a similar role.</p><p>“I saw the impact of that organization during my time in L.A., and seeing how quickly something like that can go away reaffirmed its importance,” Johnson says. “That experience only hardened my resolve to continue this work.”</p><p>During his year-long appointment at Safe Routes Philly, he is helping the program expand throughout the city by making connections with other schools and “using mapping technologies to reflect the work that we’re doing and how we want to expand,” he says. “I get to do so many different things, including creating the institutional memory of this program to ensure its longevity.”</p><hr><p><em>Kristen Evans is a culture writer and critic who has written for</em> BuzzFeed, The Boston Globe, The Los Angeles Times, LA Weekly, NYLON, <em>and</em> the New Republic.</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-subhead field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Thanks to support from �鶹��Ƶ, Luca Johnson ’24 explored his interest in public transportation—and now helps the city of Philadelphia design safer routes to school.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2026-02-19T12:00:00Z">Thu, 02/19/2026 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Kristen Evans</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2368">Alumni</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4340">Sociology</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-programs field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25431">Sociology</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/sociology" hreflang="und">Sociology</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Courtesy of Luca Johnson '24</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-article-header field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">0</div> </article> <article> <h1>The Power of Community</h1> <p>azaleski — Mon, 18 Aug 2025 16:50:37 +0000</p> <span>The Power of Community</span> <span><span>azaleski</span></span> <span><time datetime="2025-08-18T12:50:37-04:00" title="Monday, August 18, 2025 - 12:50">Mon, 08/18/2025 - 12:50</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Growing up in �鶹��Ƶ a stone’s throw from the college athletic complex, Lauren Sands ’24 was familiar with the <a href="https://goyeo.com/sports/womens-volleyball">volleyball</a> program.</p><p>When she decided to attend �鶹��Ƶ, the close-knit community was exactly what she needed to thrive. </p><p>“I thought I wanted to leave my hometown for college. But I knew that playing for �鶹��Ƶ would be a good experience, and I knew it would feel like home.”</p><p>Together with her “focused and dedicated” teammates, she led �鶹��Ƶ’s volleyball team to their first-ever winning season during her senior year. “We were like, ‘It's now or never,’” she recalls. “‘This is our chance to do something, and we know we can do it.’”</p><p>Off the courts, Sands found ways to become a mentor herself. After watching friends in �鶹��Ƶ City Schools transform with the support of the <a href="/bcsl/programs/ninde-scholars">Ninde Scholars</a>, Sands applied to the same program as a paid employee. </p><p>"Being able to go back into schools where I used to be a student and support students there was an awesome experience," she said. She even spent a summer helping students “gain real-world skills” by cooking nostalgic favorites, like homemade Pop Tarts and Cheez-It crackers.</p><p>After graduation, Sands wanted to continue supporting her community and landed on voter engagement work as a pathway toward working in service and policy. She took on the role of Democracy Fellow at the Human Service Chamber (HSC) of Franklin County in Columbus, Ohio.</p><p>"It's shown me the other side of work that helps people," said Sands of her time at HSC. "I had always envisioned that work [as] providing services like tutoring, for example, or having that one-on-one interaction. This is showing me how policy impacts people, and how policy can be used to help or hurt certain communities.”</p><p>Sands is now a policy associate, which she explains requires “writing updates on policy developments that could affect nonprofits, creating advocacy tools, like sign-on letters to our members of Congress, and anything that we can do to spread awareness about what we hope to see in public policy developments.”</p><p>Sands credits her <a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/sociology">sociology major</a> and <a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/africana-studies">Africana Studies minor</a> for providing her “a really solid foundation for understanding the different social issues that are present in a big city” like Columbus.</p><p>“I'm working with nonprofits who are addressing so many different social issues,” she adds. “Understanding why these issues may have come to be has been really rewarding coming right out of college into this role.”</p><p>Most rewarding of all, perhaps, is the sense of community Sands has discovered in her work and in Columbus. Although she’s now living in a much bigger place, she’s thrilled to find the same closeness she grew up with in �鶹��Ƶ. </p><p>“I didn't know how I'd be able to find that community,” Sands says. "But I've definitely found it in the nonprofit sector in Columbus."</p><hr><p><em>Kristen Evans is a culture writer and critic who has written for</em> BuzzFeed, The Boston Globe, The Los Angeles Times, LA Weekly, NYLON, <em>and</em> The New Republic. <em>Learn more about studying </em><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/sociology" target="_blank"><em>sociology </em></a><em>at �鶹��Ƶ.</em></p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-subhead field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">For Lauren Sands ’24, volleyball and mentorship have paved the way for a career in public policy.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2025-08-18T12:00:00Z">Mon, 08/18/2025 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Kristen Evans</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2360">After �鶹��Ƶ</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2771">Athletics</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-programs field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25431">Sociology</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/sociology" hreflang="und">Sociology</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-caption field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__item">Sands credits her sociology major and Africana Studies minor for providing her “a really solid foundation for understanding the different social issues that are present in a big city” like Columbus, where she now lives.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Courtesy of Lauren Sands</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> <article> <h1>The Drawbacks of “Black Don’t Crack”</h1> <p>awillia2 — Sun, 09 Mar 2025 04:19:58 +0000</p> <span>The Drawbacks of “Black Don’t Crack”</span> <span><span>awillia2</span></span> <span><time datetime="2025-03-08T23:19:58-05:00" title="Saturday, March 8, 2025 - 23:19">Sat, 03/08/2025 - 23:19</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>In a 2023 article published in <a href="https://doi.org/10.1177/07311214221139441" target="_blank"><em>Sociological Perspectives</em></a> and another in the Winter 2024 issue of Contexts, Associate Professor of Sociology and Comparative American Studies Alicia Smith-Tran ’10 explored the results of her study that investigated the concept of “Black don’t crack”—the idea that Black women defy aging by, for example, having wrinkle-free skin. She found that for Black women, being regarded as “too young” within their workplaces made successes more difficult to achieve. </p><p>“Even though media tells us we should look younger, whether your perceived age is beneficial or detrimental depends on your other social identities,” Smith-Tran explains. “The women I talked to are not only combating sexism and racism—gendered racism—in the workplace. They’re also making the effort to mitigate how people perceive their professional legitimacy. It’s a huge mental load.” </p><p>Her study, funded through an Institute for Citizens & Scholars Career Enhancement Fellowship, emerged in part from personal experiences. In a previous professorial position, another faculty member mistook her for an undergraduate student. In another instance, she overheard her father suggesting that her mother reveal her age to coworkers in a majority-white office in an effort to be taken more seriously. </p><p>“A lot of my research comes from events in my day-to-day life,” Smith-Tran notes. “Things that occur on an individual level aren’t just happening to us. They can actually be the product of troubling systemic processes.” </p><p>Smith-Tran interviewed 18 middle-class Black women about their career experiences around age in the workplace. All of the interviewees regularly dealt with the burden of wondering whether a lack of promotions and respect were due to race, gender, age—or the intersection of all these factors. </p><p>Through direct comments, the women were profoundly aware that some fellow employees perceived them as younger and therefore less capable. For example, administrative colleagues called a middle-aged Black interviewee named Alexis “little girl” due to her youthful appearance. Such infantilization was taxing, leaving the women feeling undervalued. In response, many mentioned their ages, children, and grandchildren in a bid to be taken seriously in the workplace. </p><p>Many of the interviewees also strategically modified their identities to avoid appearing youthful to their coworkers. Some avoided braided hairstyles that might make them look younger. A few were relieved that each strand of gray hair signaled advanced age and expertise in their professions. Other interviewees reported intentionally dressing more formally to avoid being stereotyped as young and inexperienced. Naima, a 26-year-old content editor, bought professional clothes for a workplace with a very casual dress code after her boss complained about “people in her generation.” Having to purchase different clothes also placed an additional financial burden on Naima, Smith-Tran observed.</p><p>“There’s already research about people being strategic about self-presentation at work,” Smith-Tran said. “But we haven’t seen much about Black women intentionally presenting as older or the entanglement of these particular prejudices and their mental toll. It’s unfortunate that they have to make these decisions every day, but their strategies are so creative and brilliant.” </p><p>Smith-Tran also noted the irony that even as Black women achieve a celebrated aesthetic goal, they age faster biologically than white women. Stress and discrimination literally weather Black women’s chromosomes, causing higher levels of chronic illness and premature mortality. </p><p>Many of her interviewees were surprised by the study. They had spent years working to project authority, but some had never talked about their strategies. Knowing that other women were going through the same experiences made them feel less alone. </p><p>Smith-Tran envisions her research informing diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives—and, in particular, hopes her study inspires other researchers working with social institutions on diversity initiatives to consider the influences of ageism as well as race and gender. </p><aside class="pull obj-right"><div class="basic-box basic-box--light"><h2 class="small-headline">Student Researchers</h2><ul class="list--clean"><li data-list-item-id="e6d750ea35b8cd55b3bef12f1b245e282">Maggie Balderstone ’24</li><li data-list-item-id="e9300255bfb86c702ec7f4a047448d25c">Jonah Covell ’24</li><li data-list-item-id="e760ba1d4ebf5a0481c339ccec553a5cc">Sunny Hunt ’27</li><li data-list-item-id="e49b793de691ce6e4f00101a4d14ab375">Charlie Kline ’25</li><li data-list-item-id="eda0d0a35eded2aa3dc945d17858deea4">Izze Powell ’27</li><li data-list-item-id="e1c02b82d1f1b0219f7855e7146c8860c">Bella Saunders ’25</li><li data-list-item-id="e25a55b2932a18ad951592ed73184b8b5">Cami Sweet ’25</li><li data-list-item-id="ecd339e8bec3696339624bdd1627ebc43">Dakota Wynn ’27</li></ul></div></aside><p>In future projects, Smith-Tran plans to explore neurodiversity and disability as marginalizing aspects of people’s daily lives. She’s committed to making her �鶹��Ƶ classes as accessible as possible, and she’s dedicated to examining the intersections among health, race, and interactions with the medical establishment.</p><p>As an undergraduate, Smith-Tran received a Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship, which exists to diversify college faculty and support marginalized scholars. Today, she mentors current students in the program. </p><p>“My husband and I both went to �鶹��Ƶ, so joining the faculty was like coming home to me,” Smith-Tran says. “Being around faculty who supported my ideas during my undergraduate years helped inform my idea that research can help us understand the undercurrents of society and help people live better lives.”</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-subhead field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Alicia Smith-Tran ’10 investigated how for Black women, looking younger can be detrimental to their professional lives.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2025-03-21T12:00:00Z">Fri, 03/21/2025 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Jen DeMoss</div> <div class="text-content field field--name-field-intro-text field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Eternal youth is sold by the bottle at beauty retailers and features heavily within U.S. mass media. But what if people who possess years of hard-won skills and knowledge experience prejudice at their jobs for looking younger than they are?</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4292">�鶹��Ƶ Research Review</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-programs field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25431">Sociology</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-faculty field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/alicia-smith-tran" hreflang="und">Alicia Smith-Tran ’10</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/sociology" hreflang="und">Sociology</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-cte-images field--type-list-string field--label-hidden field__item">Yes (Individual Images)</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Loveis Wise</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-flex-content field--type-entity-reference-revisions field--label-hidden vertical-spacing--basic field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <div id="obj-40353" class="paragraph paragraph--type--para-el-copy paragraph--view-mode--default o-flex--basic-copy basic-copy"> <hr><p><em>Alicia Smith-Tran’s research explores the intersections of racism and ageism and the experiences of Black middle-class women navigating predominantly white spaces. She earned a master’s degree in journalism at Syracuse University, and a master’s degree and a doctorate in sociology at Case Western Reserve University.</em></p> </div> </div> <div class="field__item"> <div class="field field--name-field-bio-card-el-biography field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> <div class="biography-card"> <figure> </figure> <div class="biography-card__content"> <h2><span>Alicia Smith-Tran ’10</span> </h2> <ul class="item-list list--clean" style="margin-top: 0px;"> <li class="professional-title">William G. Smith Associate Professor of Sociology and Comparative American Studies</li> </ul> <a class="view-more" href="/alicia-smith-tran">View Alicia Smith-Tran ’10’s biography</a> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="field__item"> <div id="obj-40377" class="paragraph paragraph--type--para-el-copy paragraph--view-mode--default o-flex--basic-copy basic-copy"> <div style="padding:56.25% 0 0;position:relative;"></div><script src="https://player.vimeo.com/api/player.js"></script><hr><h2 class="small-headline" style="margin-top:1.25rem;">About the Illustration</h2><figure class="captioned-image obj-right" style="margin-bottom:1.75rem;" data-cte><p></p><figcaption><em>Click the image to expand</em></figcaption></figure><p class="subhead" style="color:var(--darkgray);margin-bottom:0;">Illustrator: Loveis Wise</p><blockquote data-add-quotes data-no-attribution><p>This illustration balances literal and conceptual interpretations of the accompanying text with the group of people surrounded by mosaic-like, ‘cracked’ pieces.</p></blockquote><p class="icon-text"><span class="icon-text__icon fas fa-fw fa-link" style="color:black;" aria-label="Phone"></span><a href="https://www.loveiswise.com/" target="_blank">loveiswise.com</a></p><p class="icon-text"><span class="icon-text__icon fas fa-brands fa-instagram" aria-label="Instagram"></span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/loveiswiseillu" target="_blank">@loveiswiseillu</a></p><hr class="hr--light" style="clear:both;margin:1.25rem 0;"><p><a class="view-more" href="/node/488025">Return to <em>�鶹��Ƶ Research Review</em></a></p> </div> </div> <div class="field__item"> <div id="obj-40354" class="paragraph paragraph--type--para-el-copy paragraph--view-mode--default o-flex--basic-copy basic-copy"> <p class="header-tag no-show" id="header-tag">�鶹��Ƶ Research Review</p> <style> .no-show { display: none } </style> <script> (function() { var header = document.querySelector(".story-header"); var headerTag = document.getElementById("header-tag"); header.insertBefore(headerTag, header.firstElementChild); headerTag.classList.remove("no-show"); })(); </script>  <script> (function() { var credit = document.querySelector(".top-combo__figure .figure__credit"); credit.innerText = credit.textContent.replace("Photo credit","Image credit"); })(); </script>  <style> aside .list--clean li { margin-bottom: 0.25rem; } aside ul.list--clean { margin-top: .5rem; font-family: var(--font-sans-serif); font-size: 0.875rem; } aside .basic-box { margin: .5rem 0; max-width: 240px; } aside .basic-box .small-headline { font-size: 1rem; } </style> </div> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-article-header field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">0</div> </article> <article> <h1>Johnnetta B. Cole ’57 Honored by National Endowment for the Humanities</h1> <p>eburnett — Wed, 22 Mar 2023 21:17:03 +0000</p> <span>Johnnetta B. Cole ’57 Honored by National Endowment for the Humanities</span> <span><span>eburnett</span></span> <span><time datetime="2023-03-22T17:17:03-04:00" title="Wednesday, March 22, 2023 - 17:17">Wed, 03/22/2023 - 17:17</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Distinguished anthropologist and educator Johnnetta B. Cole ’57 was one of 12 recipients of the <a href="https://www.neh.gov/news/2021-national-humanities-medals">2021 National Humanities Medal</a>. Cole received the honor from President Joe Biden in a March 21 ceremony at the White House.</p> <p>The National Humanities Medal “honors an individual or organization whose work has deepened the nation’s understanding of the human experience, broadened citizens’ engagement with history or literature, or helped preserve and expand Americans’ access to cultural resources,” the White House noted in a press release, adding that Cole was awarded because her “pioneering work about the ongoing contributions of Afro-Latin, Caribbean, and African communities has advanced American understanding of Black culture and the necessity and power of racial inclusion in our nation.”</p> <p>Born in Jacksonville, Florida, Cole enrolled at Fisk College at age 15, but transferred to �鶹��Ƶ a year later, joining her sister, music student MaVynee Betsch ’55. A cultural anthropology class ultimately sparked a career change—initially she wanted to be a pediatrician—and steered the rest of her professional life.</p> <p>After graduating with a degree in sociology, Cole went on to earn master’s and doctoral degrees in anthropology from Northwestern University, making her one of the first Black women to earn a PhD in the field. She taught at Washington State University, the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and Hunter College in New York City.</p> <p>In 1987, Cole became the first Black woman to serve as president of Spelman College, a historically black, all-female college in Atlanta. She later assumed the role of Presidential Distinguished Professor of Anthropology, Women’s Studies, and African American Studies at Emory University before becoming president of Bennett College in 2002.</p> <p>In 2009, she became director of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African Art. “To bring the experience of art into one’s life,” she said in her White House profile for the National Humanities Medal, “is to become entangled in, maybe to fall in love with, human creativity.”<br> </p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-subhead field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Anthropologist and educator celebrated by President Biden in White House ceremony.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2023-03-22T12:00:00Z">Wed, 03/22/2023 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Annie Zaleski</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2583">College of Arts and Sciences</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2368">Alumni</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2373">Awards and Honors</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-programs field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25431">Sociology</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/sociology" hreflang="und">Sociology</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-caption field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__item">Johnnetta B. Cole was one of 12 recipients of the National Humanities Medal for 2021, an honor conferred at the White House in March 2023.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Cheriss May, for the National Endowment for the Humanities</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-flex-content field--type-entity-reference-revisions field--label-hidden vertical-spacing--basic field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <div id="obj-32081" class="paragraph paragraph--type--pb-el-bq paragraph--view-mode--default"> <blockquote class="blockquote--slicer" data-text-color-red data-text-size-large> <p>“It was here at �鶹��Ƶ that I fully encountered the magic of a liberal arts curriculum.” <em>—Johnnetta B. Cole, 1994</em></p> </blockquote> </div> </div> <div class="field__item"> <div id="obj-27647" class="paragraph paragraph--type--para-el-copy paragraph--view-mode--default o-flex--basic-copy basic-copy"> <p>Cole received an honorary degree from �鶹��Ƶ in 1995. One year earlier, she gave an address at the annual dinner of the Friends of the �鶹��Ƶ College Library, where she noted the vital role libraries have played in her life and described “the �鶹��Ƶ that touched who I was as a 16-year-old African American kid from the intensely Jim Crow South.” Her words on that occasion included the following:</p> <p style="margin-left: 40px;">“It was here at �鶹��Ƶ that I fully encountered the magic of a liberal arts curriculum. It was here that I came to understand the difference between balance and neutrality; the importance of focus on an issue as opposed to tunnel vision. It was here at �鶹��Ƶ that I developed sharp powers of reasoning and analysis; and I was taught how to reach conclusions without closing my mind to other information and different possibilities.”</p> </div> </div> </div> </article> <article> <h1>Watson Fellowship Winner to Explore Grief and Loss Across Cultures</h1> <p>ygay — Mon, 02 May 2022 19:22:07 +0000</p> <span>Watson Fellowship Winner to Explore Grief and Loss Across Cultures</span> <span><span>ygay</span></span> <span><time datetime="2022-05-02T15:22:07-04:00" title="Monday, May 2, 2022 - 15:22">Mon, 05/02/2022 - 15:22</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>The Thomas J. Watson Fellowship is a one-year grant for purposeful, independent exploration outside the United States, awarded to graduating seniors nominated by one of 40 partner colleges. Fellows conceive original projects, deciding where to go, who to meet, and when to change course. The fellowship provides a one-year stipend of $40,000.</p> <p>Gleydura, a spring 2022 �鶹��Ƶ College graduate, will work with palliative care teams, researchers, community organizations, counselors, and hospitals to understand mourning across cultures and uncover resources to assist families dealing with the loss of a child. Gleydura, a double major in <a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/psychology" target="_blank">psychology</a> and <a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/french-and-italian" target="_blank">French</a> with a concentration in <a href="/education-studies" target="_blank">education studies</a>, plans to pursue a career as a child life specialist, where she can educate patients on their diagnosis, the procedures they will have, and the medical equipment and personnel they will encounter. </p> <p>“I want to make sure children feel as calm, comfortable, and normal as possible while facing medical hardships,” she explains. “Death is uncomfortable to many, so conversations about it are avoided. I want to offer care and compassion in those moments. I know the power of a strong support system in helping you persevere. In a world where 15,000 children die each day, there is an urgent need to understand the most effective and compassionate practices to support the bereaved.”</p> <p>Gleydura’s understanding of the deficits of care for children in the U.S. was heightened shortly after earning a Stamps Scholarship at �鶹��Ƶ—an award that provides recipients with a $5,000 enrichment fund to benefit academic, professional, and personal development. In the fall of 2020, as many people worked and studied from home during the early phase of the pandemic, she used her scholarship to take online classes, which included an eye-opening course on death, dying, and grief in pediatric care.</p> <p>The need to promote change continued to propel her throughout her time at �鶹��Ƶ. She tutored Eastwood Elementary School students in math and reading and worked as a classroom assistant at the �鶹��Ƶ Early Childhood Center, helping to care for children between the ages of 3-18 months. </p> <p>“One of my favorite parts of working in the infant room was watching the rapid development of the children and getting to assist them in meeting the appropriate milestones such as sitting unsupported, rolling over, and talking,” she says.</p> <p>Meanwhile, Gleydura’s academic research at �鶹��Ƶ helped forge relationships with professors who quickly became mentors. </p> <div class="obj-center"> <figure class="captioned-image"> <figcaption>This past year, Gleydura worked with <a href="/nancy-darling" target="_blank">Professor of Psychology Nancy Darling</a> on her Continuity of Close Relationships project, and spent the semester doing background research and evaluating data on adolescents’ behavioral and attachment continuity to determine if these are more influenced by parents, peers, or romantic partners. Photo credit: Tanya Rosen-Jones '97</figcaption> </figure> </div> <p>In a research project with psychology and environmental studies professor <a href="/cindy-frantz" target="_blank">Cindy Frantz</a> and environmental studies and biology professor <a href="/john-petersen" target="_blank">John Petersen ’88</a>, Gleydura took the lead on an effort to increase a person’s sense of “systems thinking” in an attempt to increase their likelihood of engaging in sustainable actions and behaviors. In two other projects with Frantz, Gleydura assisted with measuring the effectiveness of various high school educational programs and messaging from a social psychology perspective. She also performed data collection for a study that examined the effect of including pronouns in email signatures on feelings of inclusivity both for gender nonconforming people and gender-conforming people. </p> <p>Her French research project, completed in spring 2020, involved a team of her peers and Associate Professor of Sociology <a href="http://www.oberlin.edu/greggor-mattson" target="_blank">Greggor Mattson</a>, who investigated the social and legal implications of prostitution in France during the 19th century. For her part, Gleydura transcribed and translated passages from literary texts, police archive documents, and other materials. The project was later compiled into a presentation titled “Economic Desperation, Moral Apocalypse, and Everyday Paranoia: the Filles Insoumises of Paris.”</p> <p>“The most significant things that helped shape me as a person and a scholar were the connections I made with amazing professors, peers, and community members,” she says. “I could not have gotten to where I am today without the support, guidance, and mentorship that I received along the way.”</p> <p>Gleydura is currently completing an End-of-Life Doula Certificate. She hopes to find ways to improve pediatric care and interventions from an intellectual, cultural, and professional standpoint during her Watson year.</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2022-05-02T12:00:00Z">Mon, 05/02/2022 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Yvonne Gay</div> <div class="text-content field field--name-field-intro-text field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Molly Gleydura’s desire to understand the grieving process and gain strategies that will assist families with the loss of a child will take her to New Zealand, Senegal, El Salvador, and Ireland this summer on a Watson Fellowship.</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2373">Awards and Honors</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=3846">Engaged Liberal Arts</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-programs field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25286">Psychology</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25351">Environmental Studies and Sciences</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25356">French</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25431">Sociology</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25251">Biology</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25226">Education Studies</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-faculty field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/nancy-darling" hreflang="und">Nancy Darling</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/john-petersen" hreflang="und">John Petersen ’88</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/cindy-frantz" hreflang="und">Cynthia (Cindy) Frantz</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/greggor-mattson" hreflang="und">Greggor Mattson</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/psychology" hreflang="und">Psychology</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/environmental-studies" hreflang="und">Environmental Studies and Science</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/french-and-italian" hreflang="und">French and Italian</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/sociology" hreflang="und">Sociology</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/biology" hreflang="und">Biology</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-caption field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__item">Molly Gleydura '22</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Tanya Rosen-Jones '97</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> <article> <h1>TAPIF Fellow Plans to Challenge the Educational Norms</h1> <p>ygay — Mon, 19 Jul 2021 18:20:49 +0000</p> <span>TAPIF Fellow Plans to Challenge the Educational Norms</span> <span><span>ygay</span></span> <span><time datetime="2021-07-19T14:20:49-04:00" title="Monday, July 19, 2021 - 14:20">Mon, 07/19/2021 - 14:20</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>While on a Teaching Assistant Program in France Fellowship, Jules Taylor ’21 hopes to learn who she is as an educator, while absorbing everything she can about the culture, language, and food of Paris.</p> <p>The Teaching Assistant Program in France (TAPIF) offers recipients the opportunity to teach English to French students of all ages for seven months. Each year, over 1,500 American citizens and permanent residents teach in public schools across all regions of metropolitan France and in the overseas regions of France such as French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique and Réunion. </p> <p>Taylor is assigned to Academie de Créteil, located just outside of Paris.</p> <p>“I studied abroad in Paris, France, and absolutely fell in love with the city,” says Taylor. “If I hadn’t experienced the amazing semester in Paris that I did, I’m not sure I would have the confidence to pursue an entire year in another country. I promised myself that I would find a way to return, so TAPIF was the perfect opportunity for me.” </p> <p>Taylor’s interest with languages began in elementary school, where she studied Spanish up until 5th grade and jumped at the opportunity to add French to her toolkit. She studied the language throughout high school and majored in <a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/french-and-italian" target="_blank">French</a> and <a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/sociology" target="_blank">sociology</a> at �鶹��Ƶ College. </p> <p>“I’m not sure exactly what it is about the language that I’m so drawn to, but there’s just something about it I can’t get enough of,” she says. </p> <p>Talor is currently in the process of applying to graduate schools back in her hometown of New York City. She hopes to pursue a master's degree in education. </p> <p>At �鶹��Ƶ College, Taylor served as a <a href="/bcsl/programs/ninde-scholars" target="_blank">Ninde Scholars</a> tutor within the �鶹��Ƶ city schools. She graduated Phi Beta Kappa—America’s most prestigious academic honor society—and is a <a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/anthropology/awards" target="_blank">Comfort Starr Award</a> recipient. </p> <p>“Ever since I decided to pursue a career in education, I’ve been highly motivated by the dream that I could create a learning environment for <em>every learner</em>,” says Taylor. “Too often, students are left behind because the education system isn’t really built for every type of learner. Working from the source, the classroom, I wish to challenge the educational norms.” </p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2021-07-19T12:00:00Z">Mon, 07/19/2021 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Yvonne Gay</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2373">Awards and Honors</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=3846">Engaged Liberal Arts</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-programs field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25431">Sociology</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25356">French</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/sociology" hreflang="und">Sociology</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/french-and-italian" hreflang="und">French and Italian</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-caption field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__item">Jules Taylor at �鶹��Ƶ College’s Seeley G. Mudd Center.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Jonathan Clark '25</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> <article> <h1>Late Nights and Briefings: Law Student Jakheem Wheatley ’19</h1> <p>anagy — Fri, 01 May 2020 17:41:07 +0000</p> <span>Late Nights and Briefings: Law Student Jakheem Wheatley ’19</span> <span><span>anagy</span></span> <span><time datetime="2020-05-01T13:41:07-04:00" title="Friday, May 1, 2020 - 13:41">Fri, 05/01/2020 - 13:41</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Jakheem Wheatley ’19 knew he always wanted to attend law school. After graduating with a double major in law and society and sociology, he is now a law student at UIC John Marshall Law School in Chicago. In addition to being a pre-law student, he played on two sports teams, worked in the Career Development Center, and completed an honors thesis for sociology.</p> <p><strong>Can you describe what you currently do?</strong></p> <p>Currently, I am a first-year law student at UIC John Marshall Law School in Chicago. I am the 1L representative for the Black Law Students Association, and I also work part time for a boutique trademark law firm. I am very interested in entertainment law and intellectual property law, which has to do with trademark and copyright.</p> <p><strong>How has your experience at law school been so far?</strong></p> <p>My experience so far has been really rewarding. Although it has been a lot of work and a lot of late nights, reading, and briefing cases, I am still enjoying the process of learning how to read, write, and think like a lawyer. </p> <p><strong>How did you figure out what to major in?</strong></p> <p>I knew I always wanted to attend law school, so that’s how I decided on law and society. During my first year I ended up taking a few sociology courses, fell in love with the program, and decided to double major. I believe �鶹��Ƶ provides the opportunity to take a lot of classes in many different academic areas.</p> <p><strong>How did �鶹��Ƶ help you build skills for academic, personal, and professional success?</strong></p> <p>I was a captain for the varsity track & field team, a peer advisor in the Career Development Center, a sociology honors student, and an offensive play signaler/videographer for the football team. I think all of my experiences at �鶹��Ƶ definitely helped me to build my professional, personal, and academic skills. Those experiences all taught me time management and organization, which is invaluable in every area of my life. My senior honors thesis was a study of diversity issues in the legal profession, which I have been able to talk about in interviews and with my colleagues now at law school.</p> <p>I also learned how to interact with a diverse group of individuals. More specifically, learning exactly how I can help people with different backgrounds and life experiences achieve their goals. The Career Development Center directly helped me learn the ins and outs of the job search process, from creating a resume and cover letter to networking and interviewing.</p> <p><strong>Did any professors or faculty at �鶹��Ƶ particularly enhance your college experience?</strong></p> <p>Two professors in particular who I think helped me not only in the classroom but in figuring out my path after college were <a href="/node/6486">Greggor Mattson</a> and [former Visiting Assistant Professor] Jack Jin Gary Lee. Both provided invaluable advice and answered many questions I had about my future plans. </p> <p><strong>Do you have any advice for students who are interested in a similar career path?</strong></p> <p>I would say that one of the things I did early on was I reached out to as many alums in the legal profession as possible, mainly through Wisr. There are so many different areas of law, so for me, it was really helpful learning more about the many different legal career paths to really figure out what I wanted to do in the legal profession and with my law degree. Another tip I would have is to apply to schools based on places you could see yourself living after law school.</p> <p>Also, there are a ton of diversity legal pipeline programs that you could be applying to now that provide scholarships for things like LSAT fees, law school applications, and so on. I would be more than happy to talk with students about applying to law school, my experiences, and just being as much of a resource as I can over email: <a href="mailto:jwheatl@law.jmls.edu">jwheatl@law.jmls.edu.</a></p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2020-05-01T12:00:00Z">Fri, 05/01/2020 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Jaimie Yue '22</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2360">After �鶹��Ƶ</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2363">Academics & Research</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2389">Young Alumni</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2403">Career Exploration & Development</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2418">Student-Athlete</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-programs field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25431">Sociology</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25396">Law and Society</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-faculty field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/greggor-mattson" hreflang="und">Greggor Mattson</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/sociology" hreflang="und">Sociology</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/law-and-society" hreflang="und">Law and Society</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-caption field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__item">Jakheem Wheatley '19 is a law student interested in practicing entertainment or intellectual property law.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Courtesy of Jakheem Wheatley</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> <article> <h1>A Conversation with Indie Pop-Punk Musician Sarah Gargano ’20</h1> <p>anagy — Thu, 05 Dec 2019 21:17:47 +0000</p> <span>A Conversation with Indie Pop-Punk Musician Sarah Gargano ’20</span> <span><span>anagy</span></span> <span><time datetime="2019-12-05T16:17:47-05:00" title="Thursday, December 5, 2019 - 16:17">Thu, 12/05/2019 - 16:17</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p><em>The Big Takeover</em> recently published an interview featuring musician Sarah Gargano ’20. In the interview, she discussed her musical influences, the subject matter of her songs, and her newest EP. </p> <p>We wanted to have our own chat with Sarah and find out what she’s been up to.</p> <p><strong>What do you study at �鶹��Ƶ?</strong></p> <p>“I’m a sociology and creative writing double major and a gender, sexuality, and feminist studies minor.”</p> <p><strong>You are currently studying abroad in Europe. Can you tell us about that experience?</strong></p> <p>“I spent a semester in Copenhagen in the fall of 2018 and am now doing a semester in London. In Copenhagen, I was studying prostitution and the sex trade, which is probably my favorite course I’ve taken in college. I loved that semester, but I felt like I didn’t delve into career endeavors, so I decided to do another semester abroad. Currently, I’m interning at an organization called Festicket, volunteering for Sofar Sounds, and playing my music at as many pubs as I can. It’s been great for me musically.”</p> <p><strong>What have you been involved with at �鶹��Ƶ outside of the classroom?</strong></p> <p>“I was the chair of the songwriting organization. I brought an artist in and helped plan songwriting-related events. I was also involved with Students United For Reproductive Freedom and went to a couple of their conferences.”</p> <p><strong>How have your studies related to your music?</strong></p> <p>“I think practicing creative writing in all forms expands your songwriting skills. Sociology is a study of people, and I write a lot about my relationships. I’m aware that being a woman has a lot to do with the dynamic of my relationships, and being aware of that is important to my process of writing about my feelings. And, because I’m a woman, my art is often trivialized. For instance, when women make art about breakups, they are often called ‘crazy ex-girlfriends.’”</p> <p><strong>Why are you passionate about music?</strong></p> <p>“I think I mostly need to make art as catharsis, but I’ve also always wanted it to be my career because of the personal significance of my relationship to music, especially to my mental health. I always felt like it was sort of my duty to try to make other people feel heard and understood in a way that only music can. I feel so fulfilled when people reach out to me and tell me about a situation they’re going through and how relatable one of my songs is to their situation.”</p> <p>Gargano released the music video for her song <em><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=exQWOK7twOk">Second Chance</a></em> earlier this fall and plans to release her new travel-based EP soon. Read her interview with <em><a href="http://bigtakeover.com/interviews/InterviewSarahGargano?fbclid=IwAR35sF7mINfuOcvl2jIUHXctxlvjX_svLkb2_W4NkZtyTG-sTWCPKsTOE7k">The Big Takeover</a></em>.</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2019-12-06T12:00:00Z">Fri, 12/06/2019 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Jane Hobson ’22</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2379">Student Life</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2410">Students</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-programs field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25326">Creative Writing</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25431">Sociology</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25361">Gender, Sexuality, and Feminist Studies</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/creative-writing" hreflang="und">Creative Writing</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/sociology" hreflang="und">Sociology</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/gsfs" hreflang="und">Gender, Sexuality, and Feminist Studies</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-caption field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__item">Sarah Gargano released a video for her song ‘‘Second Chance’’ and plans to release a new EP.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Courtesy of Sarah Gargano</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> <article> <h1>From Peer Listener to Case Worker</h1> <p>eulrich — Fri, 13 Jul 2018 14:54:19 +0000</p> <span>From Peer Listener to Case Worker</span> <span><span>eulrich</span></span> <span><time datetime="2018-07-13T10:54:19-04:00" title="Friday, July 13, 2018 - 10:54">Fri, 07/13/2018 - 10:54</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>When Charis Stanek ’18 started her first year at �鶹��Ƶ, she thought she wanted to study pre-law. It wasn’t until she took a course called Social Conflict that Stanek turned her sociology minor into a major. Stanek soon became involved with the Peer Support Center at �鶹��Ƶ, which gave her the insight and experience she needed to turn her passion for active listening from a personal interest into her first postgrad gig. Stanek now works at Indian Oaks Academy, a residential mental health treatment center for young people just south of Chicago.</p> <p>While Stanek hopes to pursue a graduate degree in either social work or clinical psychology in the future, her time at Indian Oaks has already solidified her career aspirations in the field of mental health support work. As a psychology and sociology double major, the courses Charis took at �鶹��Ƶ nurtured her passion for peer support work, but it was the work outside of the classroom that impacted her the most. An experienced leader at the Peer Support Center, the center gave Stanek the active listening, organizational, and leadership skills she needed to excel after �鶹��Ƶ.</p> <p>At �鶹��Ƶ’s Peer Support Center, Stanek served as a peer listener, student coordinator, and cofacilitator for the college’s first Introduction to Peer Helping Skills class.</p> <p>“The most rewarding part of this job is knowing that I am making a difference in the life of the youth that we serve,” says Stanek. “By having a job that matches my skills, I not only have more fun, but I also feel useful knowing that I am contributing something greater to my community.”</p> <p>But, Stanek says, working as a mental health professional is a labor of love. “Trying to make a difference in a field that has limited funding and is emotionally taxing” is difficult. But the rewards of her job outweigh the day-to-day challenges. The opportunity to teach classes for the youth at the center and the one-on-one sessions with her clients are just some of the most fulfilling parts of her work.</p> <p>Stanek says she knew by her senior year that she was meant to pursue mental health support work. Her enrollment in Peer Helping Skills 1 and 2, taught by <a href="/node/31146" target="_blank">Associate Dean Matthew Hayden</a>, blossomed into an impact extending far beyond �鶹��Ƶ.</p> <p>“We can do the right thing day in and day out without seeing results, but I have to keep reminding myself that all of the hard work is worth it. These kids have the opportunity to feel cared for and to change the trajectory of their lives.”</p> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2018-07-18T12:00:00Z">Wed, 07/18/2018 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Erin Ulrich ’18</div> <div class="text-content field field--name-field-intro-text field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Charis Stanek’s passion for social psychology led her from a job at �鶹��Ƶ’s Peer Support Center to her first postgrad gig.</p> <p> </p> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2360">After �鶹��Ƶ</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-programs field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25431">Sociology</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25286">Psychology</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/sociology" hreflang="und">Sociology</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/psychology" hreflang="und">Psychology</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-caption field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__item">Charis Stanek '18 at Commencement</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Courtesy of Charis Stanek</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> <article> <h1>Miriam Plane Receives Fulbright ETA in Germany</h1> <p>jgoode — Thu, 15 Jun 2017 20:13:33 +0000</p> <span>Miriam Plane Receives Fulbright ETA in Germany</span> <span><span>jgoode</span></span> <span><time datetime="2017-06-15T16:13:33-04:00" title="Thursday, June 15, 2017 - 16:13">Thu, 06/15/2017 - 16:13</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Miriam Plane, a sociology major and Gender, Sexuality and Feminist Studies Program (GSFS) minor, has been awarded a Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship to Germany. Plane will live and work in Berlin from September 2017 until June 2018.</p> <p>Plane says that the Fulbright program was always on her radar, as her mother is the fellowships advisor at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. In addition to studying in Denmark during her junior year at �鶹��Ƶ, Plane spent a semester of high school as an exchange student in Germany and has taught German to American students through a summer program in Minnesota. Considering her experiences at home and abroad, the English Teaching Assistantship seemed like a natural fit.</p> <p>Plane, a native of Madison, Wisconsin, said the process of applying for the Fulbright was intensive but highly encourages those who are interested to apply.</p> <p>“Most of the application process is just writing and rewriting the two essays they have you write until you and the fellowships advisor are happy with it,” she says. “I think I went through about three drafts of each before the final product, which is more drafts than I ever wrote for a college paper, but totally worth it.”</p> <p>During her senior year at �鶹��Ƶ, Plane completed a sociology research project on the education system in Germany, examining the inequalities that exist within the system. “It’ll be really interesting to see this system in motion next year,” she says. She also spent the past winter term at Carnegie Mellon University, conducting research on linguistic barriers for students in American elementary schools whose home dialect is African American Vernacular English (AAVE).</p> <p>Plane hopes to someday work for a reproductive justice nonprofit and is considering eventually pursuing a master’s degree in public health.</p> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2017-06-15T12:00:00Z">Thu, 06/15/2017 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Justine Goode</div> <div class="text-content field field--name-field-intro-text field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Miriam Plane ’17 has been awarded a Fulbright ETA to teach English in Berlin, Germany for year.</p> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-programs field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25431">Sociology</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/sociology" hreflang="und">Sociology</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-caption field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__item">Miriam Plane ’17 will work and live in Berlin as part of the Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship program. </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Jennifer Manna</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> </main></body></html>