Office of Diversity and Equity

Diversity Events Calendar – Fall 2018

 

 

Hispanic Heritage Month

An official celebration of those American citizens whose ancestry can be traced back to Spain, Mexico, Central and South America and the Caribbean. The tradition of Hispanic Heritage celebration started out as a week-long event in 1968. Twenty years later, in 1988 the celebration expanded to dedicate a whole month starting and ending in the middle of the month. Hispanic Heritage Month pays tribute to the generations of Hispanic Americans who have positively influenced and enriched our nation and society.

The event will take place between September 15th and October 15th. The 15th marks as the independence day of five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. While Mexico, Chile, and Belize follow shortly after on the 16th, 18th and 21st respectively.

A Taste of Latin X

Tuesday, September 15th, from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

West Side Campus, Student Market Place

Wednesday, September 26th, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Midtown Campus, Student Center Restaurant

Sponsored by Sodexo Food Service, the Division of Student Affairs and the Office of InterCultural Affairs

Sodexo will be serving authentic food from various Latin countries in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month.  Students can meal swipe or use Flex Points. Open to the Public/$10.00 per person

 

Classical Guitar Performance with Carlos Pavan (CANCELLED)

Tuesday, September 25th from 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

VPAC Concert Hall Stage, Room 101C

Sponsored by the Office of Diversity and Equity

In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, the Office of Diversity and Equity presents Carlos Pavan, a New York based composer and guitarist. Pavan skillfully blends Argentinian rhythms with classical and jazz concepts. He has performed in major venues such as Lincoln Center, New England Conservatory in Boston, New York City Center, Washington D.C., New Jersey Tango Festival, Connecticut Festival Guitars of the World, San Francisco, Long Island and Connecticut Public libraries, Kaufman Center and internationally in France, Argentina, Canada, Ireland, Portugal & Japan.

Open to the public, faculty, staff and students 

UPDATE 9/24/2018: Due to unavoidable circumstances with the performer this event has been cancelled.

“Am I overreacting?” Understanding and Combating Microaggressions

Wednesday, October 3rd, from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Midtown Campus, Student Center, Room 202

Sponsored by the Office of Diversity and Equity

The goal of this workshop is to give faculty, staff and students a focus on racial microaggressions that are prevalent in colleges and universities. The workshop will focus recognizing microaggressions when they happen on our campus and their implications on marginalized groups on campus 

Please contact Ms. Keisha Stokes by phone at (203) 837-8278 or by email at stokesk@wcsu.edu to register for this workshop. Open to the public, faculty, staff and students.

Not Your Language: Speaking Out on Microaggressions

Thursday, October 4th, from 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Midtown Campus, White Hall, Room 127

Sponsored by the Division of Student Affairs, Office of Diversity and Equity and the Office of Intercultural Affairs

This town hall/open forum event will help participants understand the effects of microaggressions on student and/or employee mental health, student’s academic performance, graduation or retention rates. A panelist of experts will speak on diversity awareness on campus to provide a more inclusive atmosphere and give everyone a voice who experience microaggressions on a regular basis.

Please click here to learn more about the moderator and guest panelists for this event.

For more information, please contact Ms. Keisha Stokes by phone at (203) 837-8278 or by email at stokesk@wcsu.edu about the event. Open to the public, faculty, staff and students.

A Taste of Latin X

Thursday, October 4th, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

West Side Campus, Student Market Place

Saturday, October 13th, from 4:00 p.m to 7:00 p.m.

Midtown Campus, Student Center Restaurant

Sponsored by Sodexo Food Service, the Division of Student Affairs and the Office of InterCultural Affairs

Sodexo will be serving authentic food from various Latin countries in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month.  Students can meal swipe or use Flex Points. Open to the Public/$10.00 per person

Salvadoran Migrant Families: Torn At Home, Torn at the Border

Wednesday, October 10th from 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Midtown Campus, White Hall, Room 127

Sponsored by the Department of Social Sciences, WCSU Undocu-Ally Taskforce, the Offices of Diversity and Equity and Intercultural Affairs, WestConn with Borders and the Western International Center

On Tour From El Salvador, speakers Bernardo Belloso and Zulma Tobar will share their work and life experiences in migrant sending communities in El Salvador.  They will also discuss challenges faced by Salvadoran Families under the U.S. “zero-tolerance” policy on migrants at the border.

Bernardo Belloso is the president of the Association for Rural Development of El Salvador (CRIPDES) and he last spoke at WCSU in 2008.   He leads an effort to organize more than 300 rural communities in 5 states of El Salvador.   Active in Salvadoran social movements since 1995, his work focuses on youth leadership in rural communities, and on environmental justice.  He is part of the National Round Table against Metallic Mining in El Salvador, is involved in the anti-mining struggle, and partakes in the National Network Against Water Privatization.

Zulma Tobaris a co-coordinator of US-El Salvador Sister Cities (USESSC) who last spoke at WCSU in 2016.  She works on the  issues of education, environmental justice, advocacy and community organizing with rural communities of El Salvador through both USESSC and CRIPDES. Her work is led by the principle that community organizing is the base of all social change. She comes from an organized rural community, Cinquera, one of the most tumultuous areas during El Salvador´s Civil War.  Zulma was a university scholarship recipient supported by the sister committee of Chicago, IL through USESSC.

For more information, please email Professor Carina Bandhauer at bandhauerc@wcsu.edu about the listed event or click here to view the attached event flyer.

Open to the public, faculty, staff and students

 

 

Working with Diverse Student Populations: Understanding Social & Cultural Differences

Friday, October 19th, from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (CANCELLED/RESCHEDULED)

Midtown Student Center, Room 202

UPDATE 10/18/2018: Due to unavoidable circumstances this workshop event has been cancelled and will be rescheduled for a new date in the Spring 2019 semester.

 

Friday, November 16th, from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. 

West Side Campus Center, Room 212/214

Sponsored by the Office of Diversity and Equity

This workshop reviews essential theories and practices that aid those who work with diverse populations. It addresses and discusses the importance of mental health. The session takes a closer look at the unique considerations in working with diverse student populations and how to respond effectively.

Please contact Ms. Keisha Stokes by phone at (203) 837-8278 or by email at stokesk@wcsu.edu to register for either of the listed workshops. Open to the public, faculty, staff and students.

 

SPECIAL EVENTS

 

Lunch series: Lunch with a Leader

Tuesday, September 25th – Guest speaker: Chief Patrick Ridenhour, Danbury Police Dept

Thursday, October 18th – Guest speaker(s): Maude Gorman, Advocate – Speak Up, Times Up and Professor Donald Gagnon, WCSU English Department

Tuesday, November 13th – Guest speaker(s): Steven Hernandez, Executive Director, Connecticut Commission on Women, Children and Seniors and JoAnn Cuevas, Director, Danbury Chamber of Commerce (Cancelled)

Thursday, December 13th – Guest speaker: Kathleen Lindenmayer, Director, WCSU Career Success Center

All of the lunch series will take place from 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Sponsored by the Office of Diversity and Equity

What is Lunch with a Leader?

Chief Diversity Officer, Jesenia Minier-Delgado will invite guest speakers to present and share stories of their professional journeys. Each invited guest/speakers hold leadership positions in higher education, law enforcement, social services and business fields in Danbury and/or in the surrounding regions of Connecticut.

Each of the invited guests will share their personal anecdotes about how they succeeded, challenges faced, and also offer tips and career advice to students, faculty and staff. The attendees will have an opportunity to build a network and better understand the requisite skills to succeed in various career fields.

Please contact Ms. Keisha Stokes by phone at (203) 837-8278 or by email at stokesk@wcsu.edu to register and attend any of the listed lunch series date(s). Attendance is limited to up to 15 participants each session.  

Students are highly encouraged to attend and register, but faculty and staff are welcome to attend and register as well.  Lunch will be provided for registered guests and you will receive a confirmation email upon your registration.

“I’M FIRST” EVENT: Celebrating first generation students

Thursday, November 8, 2018, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Midtown Campus, Quadrangle Area

The concept of a “first-generation” student was introduced into federal policy by the passage of Higher Education Amendments to the Higher Education Act of 1965. As a result of this amendment, we have the opportunity to celebrate those who have made huge strides in this country to be the first to attend college. On November 8, 2018, Western Connecticut State University will join in a day of celebration with other colleges and universities from across the nation who are engaged in a number of different activities to highlight first-generation students on campus. Students, faculty and administration will have an opportunity to share their own personal experiences as a first-generation college student and the impact that experience has had on their lives. We welcome everyone in the university community to join us, wear a sweatshirt representing “I’m first” as a recognized first generation college student and speak in support of first generation students.  Any student, faculty and/or staff member who is interested in obtaining a “I’m first” sweatshirt, please contact Mr. Robert Pote, Director, Pre-Collegiate & Access Department, at (203) 837-8802 or by email at poter@wcsu.edu to request a sweatshirt.  Sizes are limited so get one as soon as possible.

For more information about the above-described initiative, please click here to view the “I’m First” Strive Initiative.