Diversity Matters EDGE December Newsletter

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COLLEGE AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Leading Anti-Racism Change In Education Summer Institute

The Leading Anti-Racism Change Collaborative (LARC) is a small group, cohort approach to building capacity to accelerate action and change toward racial equity and social justice in K-12 school districts.

The inaugural cohort is composed of diversity leaders from five participating school districts: Bexley City Schools, Olentangy Schools, Marion City Schools, Columbus City Schools, and Worthington Schools.

Through the small-group cohort approach, professional development outreach is tailored to maximize impact on anti-bias/ anti-racism leadership challenges specific to each participating district. Diversity leaders participated in a Summer Institute, monthly coaching, and district site visits in 2021.

The Collaborative is partnership between EHE (Drs. Arnold, Luthy, and Penn) and Fisher College of Business (Dr. Campbell and John Rensink).

EDGE Bookshelf Recap

The EDGE Bookshelf showcases the literary contributions of EHE faculty and staff whose work centers diversity, equity, anti-racism, and justice, and includes recommended readings from featured faculty members. It is our hope that the Bookshelf serves as one resource through which we can learn from one another as we continue to grow as an anti-racist, inclusive, and equity centered college community.

Monthly Awareness Initiatives

Mindful Meditation and Movement Chair Yoga

In recognition of World Mental Health Day (celebrated on October 10th, 2021), the EDGE team hosted a 30-minute virtual Mindful Meditation and Movement Chair Yoga event to 25 EHE faculty, staff, and students. The event was taught by EDGE graduate assistant Neal McKinney, and attendees learned accessible yoga postures/techniques to utilize to boost their well-being and mental health.

Be the Change: Understanding Implicit and Institutional Bias

We continue to offer the Be the Change: Understanding Implicit and Institutional Bias module to interested participants. The original module has a K-12 education focus–two additional versions, with a higher education and community organization focus, will be available in spring 2022.

Health Science Academies

The Health Sciences Academies (HSAs) are comprised of six (6) schools; East High School, Champion Middle School, Trevitt, Beatty Park, Ohio Avenue, Eastgate Elementary Schools. This year the six schools are focused on the creation of simulation labs that will allow students to participate in hands-on, project-based projects in health sciences, in anticipation of beginning AVID in the fall of 2022.

In January, the OSU School of Medicine will expand the Ginn Pease Research Day to a year-round program to expose 8th grade students from Champion Middle School to the field of medical research. The program will culminate with 30 students coming to the medical campus in the spring to participate in a research activity with medical students of color. The goal of the program is to expand the expose of students to the many aspects of medicine in which they can work.

In partnership with the EDGE Team in the College of Education and Human Ecology, the 7th grade students at Champion Middle School will participate in a read-around of the book The 1619 Project: Born on the Water. As part of the project, those students will produce art projects that are a response to the feelings the book evokes for them. Some of the students will have their artwork displayed in EHE.

BRIGHT

The BRIGHT program is a partnership between EHE and the Fisher College of Business that trains senior leadership for K-12 schools. BRIGHT is preparing to begin the application process for the newest cohort of Fellows. More information on BRIGHT can be found here.

Potential by Suzanne Bartle-Haring

Human Sciences Professor Suzanne Bartle-Haring’s art piece, entitled “Potential” is currently on display in the student service enter, 100A PAES. The exhibit will move to Arps in January. Read more about Potential and Dr. Bartle-Haring here.

Mental Health and Wellness Coloring Book

In recognizing the importance of mental health and well-being, the Office of Equity, Diversity, and Global Engagement will be creating a coloring book for all faculty, staff and students. Art not only allows us to tap into our creativity, but it helps to reduce mental stress by refocusing our attention. Coloring books will be available early Spring 2022.

ROTATE: Racial Justice and Equity Action Plan

ROTATE is having an UPDATE! Stay tuned for our ROTATE video update next semester.

EDGE Sponsorships 2021-2022

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GLOBAL HUB

International engagement at EHE remains active despite the constraints of the Covid-19 pandemic. Throughout the semester, faculty, students, and staff have expressed and demonstrated continued interest in developing and deepening meaningful relationships in international contexts-virtual and in-person. Below, we share highlights related to international partnerships, education abroad programs, virtual opportunities and digital initiatives. To all of our EHE community members, we are here to support your international engagement activities and welcome your emails, calls, and virtual meetings!

Faculty and Staff International Partnerships

As the college liaison to the Office of International Affairs, I have enjoyed working closely throughout the semester with OIA staff and EHE faculty and staff to usher agreements through the long and often circular approval process.

I am grateful for the expertise and collegiality shown by colleagues in both units, and recognize how important it is for individuals, the college and university to sustain active and fruitful international partnerships.

As we approach spring semester, I look forward to continuing the collaborative mission of internationalization, with hopes for more physical travel and interactions with partners across the globe.

During Fall semester, several new partnerships and renewal agreements were initiated through EDGE:

– Carlotta Penn
Senior Director of Partnerships and Engageme

Education Abroad Updates

We are thrilled to share that for the first time in two years, we have a study abroad program approved to travel! Multicultural Histories and Legacies of Rome: Classics, Colosseums and Cathedrals , a program on inclusivity and social change, will be our first group to travel. Led by Dr. Julius Mayo, Shannon Mullally, and Carly Corio, 25 student participants will engage in a semester-long course with travel to Italy over Spring Break. Please join us in wishing this group a successful semester ahead. 

Beyond Spring Break, we are looking forward to our programs with travel over the Summer including: 

• Educational, Cultural and Linguistic Engagements in Oaxaca, Mexico 
  Apply by December 13th, 2021 
• The European Model of Sport 
  Apply by January 19th, 2022 
• Exploring Japan Through Sport, Wellness & Culture 
  Apply by February 1st, 2022 (application to open soon) 

For more information on education abroad in the college, please visit our website or contact Jenna Azotea, Global Education Specialist. 

Global Hub Highlights

Global Hub Highlights features EHE faculty, staff, and students who lead or participate in international programs. This series showcases the importance and reach of international engagement across the EHE community.

2021-2022 EHE Ambassador Awards

The EHE Ambassador Award provides funding support to students pursuing virtual and in-person global education programs offered by the college. This school year we have already awarded two students in support of their participation in a Spring Break program. 

We encourage all EHE students pursuing Summer 2022 programs to apply to this award by the upcoming January 2, 2022 deadline. 

ISA Global Remote Internships

This year, EDGE partnered with ISA (International Studies Abroad) to offer Global Remote Internships, beginning in Summer 2021. These entirely remote internships gave students the opportunity to work with companies and organizations in four countries (Vietnam, Peru, Australia, and Spain) for eight weeks of project-based work. 

Are you looking to boost your work experience with an international opportunity, expand your professional network and advance your skills, all without having to interrupt your campus activities and coursework? 

Please visit the program brochure for more information and application. Apply by March 1, 2022. 

Student Activist Global Seminar 2021 Summary Report

The office of Equity, Diversity, and Global Engagement (EDGE) and the SIT Study Abroad in South Africa hosted a 5-day virtual event in August 2021 titled, “Student Activism Global Seminar: Racial Justice in South Africa and the US.” The event brought South African and U.S. scholars in the fields of Black Consciousness, de-colonization, political science, feminism, social justice, and higher education to engage with eight Ohio State undergraduate student participants. The seminar was designed and led by EDGE office members, Jenna Azotea, Global Education Specialist, and Neal McKinney, Graduate Research Associate.

The student attendee class years ranged from second to fourth, and they represented various academic disciplines across Ohio State including, Nursing, Philosophy, Politics, Economics, Spanish, Psychology, World Politics, Exercise Science, Health Promotion, Integrative Language Arts, and Human Development and Family Sciences. Student attendees’ learning and knowledge were assessed throughout and upon completion of the seminar, and the results indicate a number of important outcomes including:

• Significant gains in knowledge of modern social justice issues and how to research the background of social justice issues.
• Increased understanding that history is not clear cut, and that the aesthetics of power intersect with capitalism and violence to maintain inequality
• Recognition of the parallels and links between the U.S. and South Africa fight for racial justice and equality, while acknowledging the unique manifestations of the struggle within each country.
• Acknowledged commitment that everyone has a role to play in the fight for racial justice, and taking a stand against racial injustice engages possibilities of future hope and change.
• 100% of student attendees stated that they would recommend this program to a friend.

The speakers from South Africa were brilliant, and our OSU guides were as well. Both led us through most difficult concept analysis and differing perspectives with grace and flexibility.” -Student Review

Student Activist Global Seminar Design Team

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MEET THE STAFF…and their favorite cold-weather drinks!