Arakel Aristakessian
|
Intersectionality |
We all have different aspects of ourselves that make up our identity. Join us in exploring
the intersectionality of gender, age, sexuality, race and ethnicity and how it impacts
our values, thoughts, and behaviors. Learning about our own prejudices and privileges
will ultimately result in creating an all-inclusive environment in our personal lives
and society. |
Arakel Aristakessian
|
Trans Awareness |
Let's learn about the various aspects of identity that that can impact the experience
of a trans people, the gender norms that influences all of us, and thetrans-women
of color who risked everything to fight for the freedom of the LGBTQ+ community. Finally,
we will discuss ways in which we can practice allyship for people who are trans. |
Vanessa Bustamante
|
Creative Advocacy - Storytelling for Social Change |
The Creative Advocacy presentation aims to empower students, to utilize storytelling
as a tool for social change. Through this presentation, participants will learn to
craft and share narratives that advocate for meaningful societal transformations by
using the power of their own story and by exploring their own identities and culture.
Through the use of historical examples of notable social justice leaders, writers,
educators, and journalists, students will be able to envision themselves as change
agents. This session will explore various storytelling mediums, including digital
storytelling, spoken word, and visual arts, to equip students with diverse tools for
expression and advocacy. The ultimate goal is to foster a sense of agency rooted in
heart and community among participants, enabling them to use their creativity to drive
positive change in the world. |
| Michelle Calderwood |
System Impacted Intellectuals and |
As the faculty advisor of The System Impacted Intellectuals, I intend to introduce
the student members who will introduce and describe club goals and activities while
leading other students, faculty, & staff in developing collaborative art using the
exquisite corpse method. The method was originally developed as a parlor game that
can be used in small and large groups. Participants draw an image on a portion of
a large sheet of paper, then fold it over to cover their drawing before they pass
the paper to the next participant who continues the work, this is repeated until a
unique collaborative drawing is revealed. This collaborative activity is a useful
and artistic way to enrich the student experience, strengthen individual connections,
and develop deeper ties within the GCC community. |
|
Elise Dulay |
Navigating Your Network |
This session will introduce students to the key people that they
need in their network, and the speaking and writing skills necessary
to be an effective communicator as a student and young professional.
The session will begin with a brief introduction to the essential
people in a professional network and end with a presentation on
different communication strategies. Two discussion activities will
also give students the opportunity to practice different networking
and communication strategies. Students will leave empowered to
navigate (and create) their own networks with confidence. |
| Lei Fleming |
Who are you as a leader? |
Have you asked yourself, who am i? What do I believe in? What type of leader will
I be when faced with difficult choices? As a student leader you will often be placed
in situations that are challenging. As a leader, you will need to make choices for
your peers, that may not align with your personal values. During this workshop, we
will have an opportunity to explore who you are as a leader, what your values are,
and how they connect to who you are. |
| Krystal Henderson |
Roots of Success: Critical Mentoring Strategies for Black Students |
Aligned with IDEA's mission to catalyze the formation of inclusive communities where
every individual is valued, honored, and empowered, this workshop offers vital insights
into effective mentorship practices tailored for Black community college students.
Traditional supports often fall short in addressing the unique challenges Black students
encounter, including the frequent need of code-switching, the absence of traditional
networking opportunities, and the complexities of navigating academic and professional
environments as a Black individual. Recognizing the need for mentorship that centers
the Black experience, this workshop aims to equip students with the tools they need
to support Black students to excel academically and to navigate their subsequent steps
successfully, whether in graduate school, careers, or entrepreneurship.
Critical mentoring emerges as a solution to bridge this gap by incorporating a comprehensive
approach that encompasses cultural politics, political economy, the historical context
of knowledge, dialectical theory, and a critique of ideology, along with strategies
for hegemony, resistance, and counter-hegemony. This methodology integrates theory
and practice through dialogue and conscientization, offering a robust framework for
empowering Black students (Darder, Torres, & Baltodano, 2017; (Henderson) Huff, 2019
& Weiston-Serdan, 2017).
Dr. Krystal Henderson, a distinguished activist scholar with over 15 years of experience
in non-profits, education, and consulting, will lead this workshop. Renowned for her
expertise in advancing the career development of Black students, Dr. K brings a wealth
of knowledge and passion to this essential discussion.
Darder, A. Torres, R. D., Baltodano, M. P., (2017a). The critical pedagogy reader
(3rd edition) New York: Routledge.
(Henderson) Huff, Krystal, "Critical mentorship for Black girls: An autoethnography
of perseverance, commitment, and empowerment" (2019). LMU/LLS Theses and Dissertations.
804. https://digitalcommons.lmu.edu/etd/804
Weiston-Serdan, T. (2017). Critical mentoring: A practical guide. VA: Stylus Publishing.
|
| Chad Horton |
You Speak So Well: The Impact of Microaggressions and How to Combat Them |
The presentation will allow students to identify microaggressions, discuss the impact
for students in collegiate environments and the world of work, and provide ways to
effectively address microaggressions. The 40 minute presentation will provide real
life examples and will allow participants to share personal insights into the topic. |
| Roz Kohan |
Navigating Diversity, Equity, Inclusivity, and Access in Law and Legal Education |
Students will learn from a GCC/UCLA alumni and current law student about diversity,
equity, inclusivity, and access (DEIA) in law and legal education, their role as students
in this process, and how to navigate the college-to-law school pathway while developing
their professional identity. The presentation will open by discussing the current
state of DEIA in the legal profession and education, highlighting the challenges and
barriers faced by underrepresented groups. The key takeaway from the presentation
will focus on cultivating a sense of belonging in a profession that has historically
lacked for students with unique backgrounds. The session will conclude with a focus
on the development of students’ professional identity, including an exercise on “Making
Your Elevator Pitch.” There will be a brief opportunity at the end for open questions
from the audience. |
| José Maldonado |
Using Familismo to Overcome Stigma and Transfer Challenges |
Community college students - particularly those from marginalized populations - face
many challenges throughout their higher education journey. These challenges include
feeling out of place, encountering practitioners who view them through a deficit lens,
and not having access to 'college knowledge' (information regarding higher education
processes).
My presentation shares the lived experiences of community college students who successfully
transferred and completed their 4-year degrees. I will detail how the participants
in my doctoral research sought community, belongingness, and solidarity to navigate
the transfer portal, as well as the white spaces encountered at university, an approach
which aligns with the cultural practice of familismo. Additionally, I will explain
how familismo helped participants overcome challenges by seeking support from Peers,
Faculty, and Staff of Color. This research, furthermore, demonstrates how familismo
improves self esteem, leads to feelings of connection, diminishes acculturative stress,
and has been linked to psychological adjustment.
This work provides vital information for students by sharing culturally-based strategies
their peers have used to reach their academic goals. |
