Recruiting Internationally Focused UC Students for Bearchats - Application Deadline Aug 1st!

From the UC Learning Assistance Center:

Recruiting Internationally Focused UC Students

Are you going abroad?

Interested in other cultures?

Trying to build a multicultural resume?

BEARchats can help you accomplish all of the above, while you’re on UC’s campus!

In Fall of 2011, the Learning Assistance Center piloted BEARchats. The goal was to support our international students by pairing with them a domestic student for weekly conversations and community. Students are asked to meet once per week, for one hour of fun, easy-going, unstructured conversation. Plus, we intersperse some “field-trips” throughout the quarter for cultural events on and around campus.

You can learn more about the program and the application process at the link below:

http://www.uc.edu/aess/lac/bearchats.html

The Deadline is August 1^st, so apply today for the Fall of 2012!

Finding His Voice: Graduate Combats Stuttering, Plans to Help Others

From UC News:

Finding His Voice: Graduate Combats Stuttering, Plans to Help Others

After a lifetime of shame from his stuttering, Damian Wilson decided to stop hiding. Now, he's graduating from UC's College of Allied Health Sciences with a goal to become a speech-language pathologist and work with children who stutter.

Date: 5/30/2012
By: Katy Cosse Photos By: Dan Davenport

This past winter, Damian Wilson faced a crucial moment in one of his classes at UC’s College of Allied Health Sciences. In a room with students he didn’t really know, who didn’t know him, he had to give a presentation to the class.

 

“I stuttered through my whole speech,” he remembers. “Usually I’m so scared that I don’t even say everything I want to say. But when I started stuttering, I felt so calm—I felt like I was OK with it. After it was over, I was as happy as I could be. Because I had faced a fear of mine and I had done it.”

Damian Wilson

The senior communications sciences and disorders major remembers stuttering since he was 5 years old. But it took many years before he would feel comfortable speaking to anyone outside his immediate family.

It took longer than that before he realized that he wanted to use his experience as a gift, to become a speech language pathologist and work with children who are facing the same challenges that he’s faced—and overcome.

 

Growing up, Wilson says he was “lost.”

 

“Every school year was the same thing. I would be at a school for a year and I would want to leave,” he says. “I didn’t want the kids to know I stuttered and I didn’t want to be teased.”

Alumni Association Offers Free Job Search & Career Management Workshop Series - July & October!

From the UC Alumni Association:


The UC Alumni Association has partnered with noted career strategist Julie Bauke to offer a series of free  workshops to help alumni with their job search and career management needs.

Series 1: "Get That Job! Job Search Strategies for Success"

Are you in a job search, or thinking about starting one? Join us in Cincinnati for this two-part workshop exploring the tools and info needed to find the right job, the right way.
You will learn:

• Why creating a job search plan will greatly increase your chances of success.
• How to stand out from the crowd of applicants for every job.
• How to focus your search based on what you want.
• Tips and tools to be an outstanding networker--and enjoy it!

When: Consecutive Tuesdays - July 24 & 31
3-5 p.m. each day
Where: Myers Alumni Center, UC Main Campus

Series 2: "Want a New Career? Strategies for Change--at Any Age"

Are you considering a career change, but aren't sure how to do it--or even what else you could do? Join us in Cincinnati for this three-part workshop featuring practical career change tools and strategies.
You will learn:

• How to decide when the time is right to make a change.
• How to look at your skills and experiences in new ways.
• Networking as a core career-change strategy...and more!

When: Consecutive Tuesdays - October 9, 16, 23
7:30-9 p.m. each day
Where: Myers Alumni Center, UC Main Campus
Check back later this summer for details.

PR1ZE Graduates Hit Record High Number

From UC News:

PRIZE Graduates Hit Record High Number

Thanks to help from dedicated mentors, 19 students who have received guidance from the support program for historically underrepresented minorities will graduate this spring.

Date: 5/31/2012 12:00:00 AM
By: Tom Robinette
Phone: (513) 556-8577

You can add another thing the “1” in PR1ZE represents: One heck of a graduating class.

The University of Cincinnati spring commencement ceremonies will feature 19 students who are members of the Putting Retention 1st in the Zest for Excellence program. It’s the largest number of graduates since the program began three years ago.

PR1ZE is a faculty and administration support initiative for historically underrepresented minority students, particularly focusing on African-American students in the McMicken College of Arts & Sciences. The program was founded in fall quarter 2008 by associate professor of Africana studies Kenneth Ghee and Director of Student Retention Initiatives Carol Tonge Mack.

“The PR1ZE faculty and staff mentors are a vital part of the wind beneath our students’ wings, giving them guidance and showing genuine interest in them as students but more so as valued human beings with great potential,” Ghee says.

The primary goal of PR1ZE is to retain and graduate African-American students, and Mack says seeing this many students from the program ready to graduate validates the support she and Ghee have received over the years from Dean Valerie Hardcastle, faculty, staff and the extended PR1ZE family.

“Students worked diligently to get to this place in their academic career,” Tonge Mack says. “They kept their eyes on the ‘PR1ZE.’ For many of them, there were personal struggles which could’ve impeded graduation. However, with a phone call, email, text, kind word and additional encouragement from their mentor, they made it.”

The following students are PR1ZE members who plan to graduate this spring:

Barbara Abbey
Alicia Aldridge
Brittney Fields
Jeralyn Boyd
Jamille Collins
Brittany Fitzgerald
Julu Garley
Bethel Kidane
Henry Knight
Keevan Marion
Cordelia Myles
Caressa Sams
Jasmine S. Smith
Shanneque Smith
Anastasia Tarpeh
Danielle Thomas
Fatima Thomas
James A. Walker
Ashley Woods


(Names in RED are RAPP alumni)

Planned Parenthood Hiring Summer Canvassing Interns - Apply by Jul 6th!

From Planned Parenthood Southwest Ohio:

PPSWO has an exciting new paid internship program for Healthy Neighborhood Outreach.  We'll be going to households in specific neighborhoods in Cincinnati and Dayton to promote expanded access to no-cost birth control at Planned Parenthood.


We'll be hiring 8 interns in Cincinnati and 8 interns in Dayton, who will conduct 5 canvasses on Saturday afternoons.  The likely start date is July 28.


Please see the listing below.  If you're interested, just reply to this email or get in touch with lbrockmeier@ppswo.org.  Interviews will be held the week of July 16, so submit your resume ASAP.

Position: Canvass Intern
Locations:  Cincinnati or Dayton
Dates: July - September 2012
Hours: 4 hours/week
A $250 stipend is offered with this internship.  5 canvasses will be conducted on Saturdays from 10 am – 2 pm, with one training session.
Duties:

• Conduct weekly door-to-door canvasses to educate residents about Ohio Medicaid eligibility
• Follow a canvass target list and script, includes 60 knocks per shift
• Register voters and collect voter pledge cards as part of large scale voter registration and engagement project
• Ensure compliance with Ohio laws related to voter registration
• Complete data entry

Qualifications:

• Support Planned Parenthood’s mission
• Previous voter contact experience preferred
• Available every Saturday morning through mid-September
• Capable of walking for 4 hours in 95 degree weather
• Outgoing, self-motivated and detail-oriented
• Complete a background check and provide at least 3 references
• Must have reliable transportation, preferably with GPS

Interested candidates please submit resume with cover letter to Luke Brockmeier at lbrockmeier@ppswo.org or mail to Planned Parenthood Southwest Ohio Region, Attn:  Luke Brockmeier, 2314 Auburn Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45219.  Email is preferred.


Eight interns will be hired in Cincinnati and eight in Dayton.  Both teams will canvass 5 times, rain or shine. 


Proposed Dates are July 28, August 4, August 11, August 18, August 25, and September 8.  Dates are subject to change.

All resumes must be submitted by close of business on July 6, 2012 in order to be considered for the position.

Africana Studies Honored for Innovative Work

From UC News:

Africana Studies Honored for Innovative Work

The National Council for Black Studies bestows Sankore Institutional Award to the department for its contributions to the discipline.

Date: 6/8/2012 12:00:00 AM
By: Tom Robinette
Phone: (513) 556-8577

The National Council for Black Studies (NCBS) recently awarded the University of Cincinnati’s Department of Africana Studies its Sankore Institutional Award for outstanding contributions to the development of Africana studies. The award was presented in March at the organization’s 36th annual conference in Atlanta.

The NCBS lauded UC’s Department of Africana Studies for its financial support of the professional organization’s 2011 annual conference in Cincinnati and the department’s housing of the NCBS national office. NCBS President Sundiata Cha-Jua, a specialist in African-American history at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, noted UC’s commitment to the dual mission of Africana studies – academic excellence and social responsibility – and called the scholar-activist model, which undergirds the department’s proposed PhD program, a cutting-edge framework for the field of study as a whole.

Africana Studies Department Head Terry Kershaw was the editor of the NCBS’ refereed journal, International Journal of Africana Studies, and served as the organization’s vice president from 2010 to 2012. Kershaw says the NCBS honor enhances the department’s national reputation and further promotes its innovative contributions to the discipline.

“This award further promotes our department as an attractive destination for faculty and grad students who are interested in Africana studies in general and the scholar-activist approach in particular,” Kershaw says.

A RAPP Shout-Out at Graduation!

Danielle Thomas, RAPP XXV alumna and Reunion planner extraordinaire, gave some meaningful recognition to programs that positively impacted her student experience at UC - including RAPP!  For graduation this June, she decorated her mortar board with a meaningful quote.


When asked if a photo of her mortar board could be shown here, she said yes because RAPP "has been a fundamental part of my time here at UC."


Here's a loosely pasted together picture of the rest of the cap:

Survey on Trayvon Martin Incident, Coping Strategies, and Other Topics

Via the SJTI Listserv:

While research has explored individual acts of racism, little research has examined racism that occurs on a global level. The shooting death of Trayvon Martin has been characterized and debated as an act of modern or covert racism. Some feel that George Zimmerman targeted Trayvon based on his racial status while others feel race had no role in the incident. This study attempts to assess the influence that the Martin incident has on African Americans. Specifically, we are interested in better understanding the reactions of individuals to the incident, how it relates to the perceptions to being Black or African American, and beliefs about racism and race relations.

We are inviting you to be a participant in this study. The study includes the one-time completion of a series of questions/surveys online and a demographic form. Surveys will ask about your reactions to the Trayvon Martin incident, coping strategies, how you feel about being African American or Black, and parenting practices. We will be having a raffle for participants to win 1 of 4 $25 gift cards for your participation.

The link for the survey is https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/K68JSBD.

 Again, thank you for your participation. Please feel free to share this with other individuals that you feel may want to participate in the study.

Free Screening of "Thy Will Be Done" with Panel Discussion on Gender, Religion, & Family - Jun 27th!

A Night at the Movies!
Please join us for Greater Cincinnati PRIDE WEEK for the showing of "Thy Will Be Done"

Wednesday, June 17th
6:30PM
St. John United Church of Christ
520 Fairfield Ave., Bellevue KY 41073

Everyone is Welcome!

Movie Synopsis:
THY WILL BE DONE follows Male-to-Female Transsexual Sara Herwig in her path to ordination in the Presbyterian Church.  Efforts have been made to block her ordination by the conservative Christian groups who don't recognize her as female and question her fitness to be a Pastor... but who also challenge her candidacy because she is in a same-sex relationship, with a woman.  At issue is the organized Christian church, with all its political and financial power, as one of the fiercest battlegrounds for LGBT rights and gender recognition.

Cost of Event: FREE!

Evening Agenda
6:30 p.m.    Welcome
6:45 p.m.    Movie "Thy Will Be Done"
7:45 p.m.    Panel Discussion
8:30 p.m.    Closing and Refreshments

St. John UCC is located in Bellevue, Kentucky, on the Ohio River just 2 miles from the heart of downtown Cincinnati, at 520 Fairfield Ave. (corner of Ward and Fairfield Avenues)

"Middle School Matters: Improving the Life Course of Black Boys" Symposium - Jul 22nd!

CDF (Children's Defense Fund) and ETS (Educational Testing Services) are hosting a series of symposia on closing the achievement gap for Black males from birth to 24-years-old to put the spotlight on best policies and practices for those most at risk to enter the Cradle to Prison Pipeline^TM.

When a Black boy born in 2001 has a one-in-three chance of going to prison in his lifetime, this is an urgent call to action. At our national conference this July 22nd to 25th in Cincinnati, Ohio we will address the challenges faced by Black boys from 9 to 13-years-old with a special track called, "Middle School Matters: Improving the Life Course of Black Boys”.

This symposium will explore how we can address the social and academic challenges young Black males face and create a positive school environment for them to flourish during these critical developmental years.

Join CDF President Marian Wright Edelman, Geoffrey Canada, president and CEO of the Harlem Children’s Zone, Dr. Michael Nettles, Sr. Vice President for ETS Policy Evaluation and Research Center, Dr. Jerry Weast, former superintendent of Montgomery County public schools in Maryland, and other leading experts to close the gaps between what we know works and what we do in practice, including school leadership and delivering a culturally competent education.

Learn more about the symposium’s sessions and the plenary, mini-plenary sessions and workshops at CDF’s national conference, Pursuing Justice for Children and the Poor with Urgency and Persistence. Discounts for hotel rooms are available on a first come, first served basis.

Please join us and register today,

– Children’s Defense Fund

Earn an Academic Certificate in Service Learning & Civic Engagement

From the Center for Service Learning & Civic Engagement:

Show you care.

Earn a certificate in service learning and civic engagement.

In our increasingly diverse and global economy, organizations are looking to hire employees with cultural competencies—people who are prepared to make a positive contribution to the community. By earning the certificate in service learning and civic engagement, you can boost your cultural and civic credentials, build your network and demonstrate to potential employers that you’re ready to lead a socially responsible charge.

The certificate in service learning and civic engagement can be added to any major. It requires 18 hours:

• A 3 credit-hour course, Foundations of Service Learning and Civic Engagement

• Four “S-designated” (service learning) courses, from within or outside your major

• An e-portfolio (introduced in the Foundations course)

• A 3 credit-hour course, Leadership Through Service Capstone

For more information, contact Michael Sharp, director, Center for Service Learning and Civic Engagement, michael.sharp@uc.edu, 513-556-1533.

UC Counseling Center Moved to Crosley Tower

From the UC Counseling Center:

The Counseling Center is moving to Crosley Tower, 12th floor, on or around June 11, 2012. Crosley is a temporary location; we will move to our new permanent space around the middle of 2013. Our phone number (513-556-0648) and mail location (0034) will not change.

Due to the move, we will be closed the month of June. Please keep checking our website (www.uc.edu/counseling) for updated information, including the reopening date, directions to our new location, etc.

If you need counseling and have Student Health Insurance, you can go to University Health Services for mental health services. If you do not have Student Health Insurance, you can contact your insurance provider for a list of approved mental health professionals in the area. If you have no insurance or your insurance does not include mental health treatment, see the list of community providers on our home page.

NOTE:

If you have an emergency during the month of June, you can:

1) Call the Crisis Line, where there are counselors available 24 hours a day. That number is 281-CARE or 281-2273.

2) If you are an existing patient of one of our physicians and have an urgent question or concern about your medica-tion, please call 729-5211 to reach the covering physician.

3) You can also call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.


Counseling Center, University of Cincinnati 1216 Crosley Tower
301 Clifton Court
PO Box 210034
Cincinnati, OH 45221-0034

Phone: 513-556-0648
Fax: 513-556-2302

CAIR-Cincinnati Offers "Get Out The Vote" Volunteer Trainings - Jun 27th & 29th!

From CAIR-Cincinnati:

Make a Difference: Help Get Out the Vote

Election 2012 Volunteers Needed

2012 is an important election year. The Muslim community is starting to become noticed as an important voting community across the U.S., which means our community's votes are more important than ever. CAIR-Cincinnati is holding a Get Out The Vote campaign July-September to reach Muslims in the Greater Cincinnati community and register them to vote.

CAIR needs volunteers to help register voters within the community. Volunteers are requested to work at least one shift per month on a Friday after jumu'ah at the mosque. During the month of July, volunteers will also register voters at mosque iftars on the weekends. The voter registration drive will begin July 13th.

To prepare, we are holding two volunteer training sessions during the last week of June:

Wednesday June 27th, 7:30 - 8:30 p.m.

10999 Reed Hartman Hwy, Suite 224, Cincinnati

Friday June 29th, immediately after jumu'ah

West Chester and Clifton mosques

 If you would like to volunteer to register voters anytime in July, August or September, we ask that you attend one of these mandatory trainings. At the training session, you will be able to select the date(s) you would like to volunteer.

To RSVP for one of the volunteer trainings or for more information, contact us at (513) 281-8200 or e-mail sgrome@cair.com.

Professor's Leadership Earns Presidential Plurality

From UC News:

Professor’s Leadership Earns Presidential Plurality

Africana Studies professor will lead two sociological organizations in the upcoming academic year and recently lent his perspective on out-of-wedlock births to Jet magazine.

Date: 5/24/2012
By: Tom Robinette
Phone: (513) 556-8577

Earl Wright II has something President Barack Obama and former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney covet: an assured presidency come this fall. In fact, Wright will be serving in that role twice over.

The associate professor in the Department of Africana Studies is president-elect of the Association of Black Sociologists and the Mid-South Sociological Association. When the 2012-13 academic year begins, Wright will assume the presidency of both organizations. Wright joined the University of Cincinnati two years ago and has been developing a research program that connects the university community with the larger Cincinnati population. His program employs the scholar-activist model of Africana Studies to influence the lives of local residents.

Earl Wright II will serve as president of two sociological organizations during the upcoming academic year.

Wright received additional national exposure when he was interviewed in the April issue of Jet magazine in an article about out-of-wedlock births.

What is the significance of serving as president for both of these sociological organizations?
These positions are important for a couple of reasons. First, to be elected by your peers as the leader of an organization is an honor which suggests that you have garnered their respect and have a record of accomplishment that merits such distinction. Second, by serving in leadership positions in national and regional organizations, it indicates to faculty, administrators and students here at UC that we in the UC family are at the forefront on issues of leadership, not simply followers.

What was it like being interviewed for Jet?
I have been interviewed for numerous magazines and newspapers, but the Jet interview has special meaning because, unlike the others, that is a periodical that my family and friends actually read. So, to be in Jet was more special to me than being in any “top tier” outlet that others may deem more prestigious. The Jet interview centered on out-of-wedlock births, which is not my area of specialty. I do, however, focus on this topic in my classes dealing with urban social issues. My principal area of research is on W.E.B. Du Bois and his significance and contributions to the discipline of sociology.

What do you hope being mentioned in Jet does for your work?
I have no overt desire that the Jet article enhance my previously published works or result in increased attention to myself. It is my hope, however, that this publicity continues the trend of placing UC in a positive light both regionally and nationally so that others may take notice of the wonderful things we are accomplishing here. If my presence in the magazine encourages someone to visit the university website or apply for admission, then I am as satisfied as if I received direct recognition myself.

What does the national recognition of your leadership and intellectual contributions say about our faculty and the quality of teaching and research available in the McMicken College of Arts & Sciences?
It means that the College of Arts & Sciences, under the leadership of Dean Valerie Hardcastle, has fulfilled its promise to bring in skilled and accomplished faculty who enhance what UC already does well and build up areas where strengthening is needed. On a national scale, our continued presence in high-visibility positions will force those not already familiar with the greatness that is UC prior to the high visibility of A&S faculty to stand and take notice of what’s going on here in Clifton.

Fulbright Competition Webinars - Jun 26th, 27th, & 28th!

From UC International:

The 2013-2014 Fulbright competition is underway and is currently accepting applications from scholars interested in teaching or conducting research abroad. The Fulbright Program welcomes proposals from junior and senior scholars as well as professionals in a wide variety of disciplines. The Fulbright Scholar Program requires U.S. citizenship and a terminal degree (i.e., Ph.D., J.D., MFA, MBA, ect.) to apply.

We have some exciting new opportunities and program expansions in the Western Hemisphere. To address any questions applicants may have about opportunities in Latin America, Canada and the Caribbean, we have scheduled a couple of webinars that might be of interest:

Tuesday, June 26, 2012
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM EDT
What’s New in 2013-14 for Latin America, Canada and the Caribbean

Wednesday, June 27, 2012
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM EDT
Fulbright Opportunites in Canada

Thursday, June 28, 20122:00PM – 3:00PM

A Look at Fulbright Fogarty Awards

Further information on applying can be found on the Core Fulbright Scholar Program website and I encourage you to review the Catalog of Awards for specifics on award offerings. You have until August 1, 2012 to submit a completed application for the 2013-2014 competition.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us. We look forward to receiving applications from scholars interested in teaching and researching in Latin America, Canada and the Caribbean!

Regards, Western Hemisphere Program Team

Peace Corps Summer Events at Public Library - Jun 26th, Jul 11th & 25th!

From UC International:

Peace Corps Summer Events in Cincinnati – at the Public Library downtown (800 Vine St, Huenefeld Tower Room at 6:00 p.m.

Tuesday, June 26^th – Learn how to secure a spot with Peace Corps. Speak with current applicants and recruiters about how to bolster your qualifications for service! 6:00 pm Public Library (downtown).

Wednesday, July 11^th – Put your agricultural, environmental, and foreign language skills to use as Peace Corps volunteer! Learn how your needed skills can enhance the lives of others. 6:00 pm Public Library (downtown).

Wednesday, July 25^th – Learn about domestic and international service opportunities with Teach for America and Peace Corps. Speak with recruiters from both organizations and begin your journey of service and professional development. 6:00 p.m. Public Library (downtown).

Volunteer Translators Needed for World Choir Games

From UC International:

Position Title: Host Translator Guide Volunteer

Languages Needed: Chinese, Croatian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, Hindi, Hungarian, Indonesian, Japanese, Kazak, Latvian, Lithuanian, Norwegian, Persian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Tagalog, Thai, Turkish, Ukrainian, Vietnamese

Main functions: Provide language translating services to participating choirs, and escort the choirs from the first official event and until the last official event.

 Reports to: Language Services Team Leader.

Tasks:

• Host Translator will be assigned to serve a choir based on country and province.
• Host Translator will also be paired with Choir Host and work closely to serve choirs.
• The goal of both the Choir Host and Host Translator is to make the American experience positive and meaningful by embracing the choir as a friend. All participants (choir members) should experience the real sense of the warmth and friendliness Cincinnati has to offer.

Duties:

• Team members will be responsible for:
• Escorting choirs to all official activities and have the option of joining them at leisure activities.
• Keeping the choir on schedule
• Knowing the location of all official venues
• Ensuring that choir members are keeping up with belongings.

Time Commitment:

• Days of operation July 4 – 14. There are 2 sessions 4^th to 9^th and 10^th to 14^th.
• Hours could start as early as 7am and end as late as 11pm.
• There are 3 shifts a day, morning, afternoon, and evening.
• Goal is to have the same team escort the choir throughout their 4-5 day stay.

Must Register at www.2012WorldChoirGames.com. Click on the section for volunteering and check the section on Language Services and then indicate the language. After you have registered you will be contacted by a member of the Language Services Team.

However, if you are a native speaker of the following languages, please provide the additional

information about the date and times you are available and the city and province you are from to

Chinese: YuanYuTseng@CincinnatiSisterCity.org

Indonesian: EndangTong@CincinnatiSisterCity.org

Tagalog: PorferioAbellera@CincinnatiSisterCity.org

Accelerating Racial Justice Update - Applications Still Being Accepted!

RAPP's newest intensive Accelerating Racial Justice is coming along swimmingly!  Creating a new itensive of this scale is a time-intensive process, but thankfully great support from throughout UC and beyond has helped it grow and be ready to premier this summer!
Enough applications were received by the initial deadline for us to declare the program ready to launch!

The first round of participants has been selected and notified!  The process leaders for the week have been selected and notified!

There are still a few spots left in the 2012 program and we're hoping to build a small waiting list to fill in any spots that open late in the summer.  With that in mind, we're now accepting applications through the end of June!

How to ApplyThere are two steps to apply for this life-changing program:

1. Read the Information for Potential Applicants. This piece is designed to cover the common questions people may have about Accelerating Racial Justice to help you decide if it's what you're looking for.
2. Complete a written application. This application gathers basic information from candidates. Information on how to access the application is available in the Information for Potential Applicants, which you are expected to read before completing a written application.

Please contact Rebecca Lehman at lehmanrl@uc.edu or 513.556.6119 with any questions you may have.

Welcome the RAPP 2012-13 Leadership!

This year's selection of the formal RAPP leadership positions was the most difficult process I've been through yet.  We had twenty-three outstanding candidates for an intended ten positions.

Much gratitude is due to the folks who helped made the selections!  A team of staff and students from RAPP, SALD, Resident Education & Development, Academic Excellence & Support Services, and the LGBTQ Center carefully reviewed applications and worked together to make the final decisions.

Without further ado, here are the folks selected for the formal leadership positions:

Accelerating Racial Justice

• Facilitators:
• Ani Naik (XXVI, XXVI Social Committee Chair)
• Jojo Azevedo (XXIV, XXVI Peer Leader, XXVII Facilitator, Social Justice League 2010-12)
• Peer Leaders:
• Jalisa Holifield (XXVII)
• Laura Perez (XXVII)
• Matt Miller (XXVI, Social Justice League 2011-12)
• Process Observers:
• Matthew Woodruff (XXVI, Peer Leader XXVII, Social Justice League 2011-12)
• Melissa Meyer (Community member, owner Meyer Consulting)

RAPP XXVIII

• RAPP Facilitation Intern:  Brice Mickey (XXV, XXVI Peer Leader, Social Justice League 2010-12)
• Peer Leaders:
• Farooq Alkhateeb (XXVII)
• Krisin Myers-Young (XXV)
• Tianshu Lu (XXVI)

RAPPORT 2012-13

• RAPPORT Facilitation Intern: Jamieson Williams (XXVII)

Please extend congratulations and heart-felt wishes for success to these folks as they enter into their new positions!

Join UC for Cincinnati Pride on June 30th! - Sign Up Today to be a Parade and/or Festival Volunteer!

From the UC LGBTQ Center:

It’s almost time for Cincinnati Pride! What is Cincinnati Pride you ask? The mission of Cincinnati Pride is to provide the Greater Cincinnati LGBT community and allies a forum celebrating and affirming our individuality and importance to the Greater Cincinnati area by giving expression to our community's rich history and diversity and renewing our dedication to promoting acceptance of all individuals regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or expression.

They provide information, support local economic growth by partnering with the community to attract individuals to the Greater Cincinnati area, collaborate with other organizations through outreach programs, citizen involvement, and events, and educational resources to those inside and outside of the LGBT community.

This year, the LGBTQ Center, Alliance, Colors of Pride and GenderBloc will not only have a table at Cincinnati Pride representing the University of Cincinnati, but we will also be participating in the Pride Parade which will take place the morning of Saturday, June 30th! 

This is where we hope we can get your support. We would love to have a large, strong University of Cincinnati group that will walk with us in the Pride Parade. Below are two links. The first one is a very short survey to see who is available to walk and/or help work the table (greeting folks, passing out information) and the second link is to the Cincinnati Pride website. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Share your availability to walk and/or work the table!

Cincinnati Pride website!

Cincinnati Juneteenth Festival - Jun 16th & 17th!

From the Cincinnati Juneteenth Festival:

Cincinnati's 25th Annual Juneteenth Festival
June 16 (Saturday) Noon to Nine
June 17 (Sunday) 2:30-6:00 pm

2012 will be our 25th year presenting Cincinnati's Juneteenth Festival...and we're working hard to make it a great celebration!

In addition to the Festival on June 16-17, we have arranged and will continue to be arranging events and activities between January and June.

Click Here To see the Entertainment
We'll Be presenting on June 16-17

Check back here for updates.     Check out the Juneteenth After Party!

Check out Accelerating Racial Justice One More Time - Applications due Today!

This spring quarter, RAPP hosted a marketing intern through CCM's Electronic Media department.  As a part of her internship, Darienne Jordan (XXVII) made two videos about RAPP. 


The first came out two weeks ago.  The second dropped yesterday and focuses on the upcoming Accelerating Racial Justice.


We experienced some audio difficulties, so be sure to click CC for closed captions if you have trouble understanding what people are saying.





Apply now for Accelerating Racial Justice!  Applications are due today, June 15!

How to ApplyThere are two steps to apply for this life-changing program:

1. Read the Information for Potential Applicants.  This piece is designed to cover the common questions people may have about Accelerating Racial Justice to help you decide if it's what you're looking for.
2. Complete a written application.  This application gathers basic information from candidates.  Information on how to access the application is available in the Information for Potential Applicants, which you are expected to read before completing a written application.

Please contact Rebecca Lehman at lehmanrl@uc.edu or 513.556.6119 with any questions you may have.

Apply for Accelerating Racial Justice - The Best Reason Yet

Seriously, though.  Why not?

Apply today for Accelerating Racial Justice!  Applications due TODAY, Friday, June 15.

How to ApplyThere are two steps to apply for this life-changing program:

1. Read the Information for Potential Applicants.  This piece is designed to cover the common questions people may have about Accelerating Racial Justice to help you decide if it's what you're looking for.
2. Complete a written application.  This application gathers basic information from candidates.  Information on how to access the application is available in the Information for Potential Applicants, which you are expected to read before completing a written application.

Please contact Rebecca Lehman at lehmanrl@uc.edu or 513.556.6119 with any questions you may have.

RAPPing up 2012

From: Marjorie Bledsoe, Public Ally for RAPP 2011-2012

Working with RAPP and Public Allies this year has been amazing! I’ve learned so much that it’s hard to sum it all up. I have solidified my love of community, relationships, and Social Justice Education through my ten months of service. I didn’t realize how many groups of amazing influential people I belong to; the interconnectedness of these communities has never been more apparent. I guess I wasn’t paying close enough attention, or maybe I’m just now positioned to feel like I’m really part of it all.

My journey to working with Public Allies and RAPP started in 2009, when I joined RAPP XXV. Through RAPP I met someone who introduced me to the Northside Family Dinner community. I quickly became friends with the folks who host and attend Family Dinner, many of whom are Public Allies Alumni. As I went through RAPP, Family Dinner served as my support network; I would go straight from meetings to Dinner and debrief on what I’d learned. Concepts of privilege and oppression were new to me, and although I’d experienced these dynamics throughout my life, I’d never realized how valid my own experiences actually were. My Family Dinner community and RAPP legitimized so much of what I’d been told wasn’t real about my life experience. Major medical issues and divorce are only a couple of examples of what I was faced with during this time, and I couldn’t have asked for a better group of people to support me through such a difficult part of my life.

In 2010-2011 I took on a Peer Leader position with RAPP XXVI, became active in RAPPORT (RAPP’s alumni program), and joined the newly formed Social Justice League. I continued to build upon the foundation of awareness and appreciation for myself and others I gained in my RAPP XXV experience. I finally possessed the confidence to take what I’d learned of myself and my experiences out into the world. I did workshops and trainings with the Social Justice League, had difficult and emotional conversations with my family and friends, and I came out.

During this time I was encouraged to explore the Public Allies program by Rebecca Lehman and my friends who were Public Allies Alumni. These folks supported me through the application process which is daunting, especially for those who are financially limited. If not for their support I don’t know that I would have made it through the process or gotten the job, as I was initially rejected as an applicant. I’m so thankful for all of these people; I feel as though I am on a path that will only lead to bigger and better things as a result of participating in Public Allies.

My experience with Public Allies and RAPP had been so rich and rewarding that I don’t know that I can fully describe all that I’ve gained. I spent this time planning, facilitating, networking, and learning. I have learned and accomplished so much in the last ten months that it will probably take just as long to process it all. I would like to share the video made by Rebecca Lehman about the RAPP Reflections show that is part of the ReRoot exhibit at the Clifton Cultural Arts Center. I think the video highlights some of the key things that happened in my life and in the RAPP XXVII Tuesday and Wednesday groups. Enjoy!

Apply for Accelerating Racial Justice - Talk about the "Unmentionables"

Along with our nine-month intensive and our alumni program RAPPORT with its Social Justice League, RAPP staff and volunteers lead an average of 50 workshops and trainings each year in the campus and community.


Through all of this, we hear a very common refrain:  I've never gotten to talk about this before - and I want to!


Even those who talk about race, gender, sexuality, religious/spiritual identity, and other social identities share the tune with a slight variation:  I've never gotten to talk about this with people who are different from me before!


Many of us experience a life-time of lessons that these topics are not a part of polite conversation.  Many of us experience a life-time of lessons that we're not supposed to even notice these identities.  Unsurprisingly, this leaves us with a great set of skills in NOT talking about them and very little experience or practice actually talking about them.


When we do try, some common experiences that remind us yet again we shouldn't be having these conversations come up.  We fumble our words and fail to express what we mean because we're focusing so hard on not being offensive.  We're shut down by others who want to keep these topics off the table.  We ignite anger and conflict ensues.  We're not able to ask foundational questions because we're too afraid of being exposed as ignorant.


A key to success in these conversations is getting support in them from folks who have some practice and can help shift the space from fear of the complexity that these topics entail to appreciation of that messiness.


Accelerating Racial Justice will give you that support!  For five days, you get to learn and teach others about racial justice and inclusive leadership as well as your life experiences.  You get to ask questions.  You get to be celebrated for sharing when you don't know.  You get to build a community that will keep these conversations going.


Apply now for Accelerating Racial Justice!  Applications are due by 5PM on Friday, June 15.

A small group conversation at a RAPP meeting.  RAPP integrates solo-reflection, pairs, trios, small group, and large group time into our learning process.

How to ApplyThere are two steps to apply for this life-changing program:

1. Read the Information for Potential Applicants.  This piece is designed to cover the common questions people may have about Accelerating Racial Justice to help you decide if it's what you're looking for.
2. Complete a written application.  This application gathers basic information from candidates.  Information on how to access the application is available in the Information for Potential Applicants, which you are expected to read before completing a written application.

Please contact Rebecca Lehman at lehmanrl@uc.edu or 513.556.6119 with any questions you may have.

Apply for Accelerating Racial Justice - Learn About Yourself by Learning About Others

I took English class all through school.  We learned to diagram sentences.  We learned contractions and spelling.  We learned homonyms (including the famous your-you're and there-their-they're that befuddle many).  Given that I spoke, wrote, heard, read, and dreamt in English, I thought I understood it as best as anyone could.

Then I started learning another language.

An experience I had that I've heard many other later-in-life-second-language-learners also share is that my understanding of my own language was exponentially expanded as I learned other languages.  The differences between the two brought out deep nuances in meaning, exposed cultural assumptions, revealed understanding of time, and so many other aspects of understanding the world that my appreciation of my first language was deeply enriched.

Working in multicultural and social justice education, I find people often experience a similar process when learning about social identity.

White folks lamenting not having a culture often experience a profound shift in understanding when they spend time working on race.  Straight folks wondering "where's our pride month?" often have a transformed understanding after spending time working on sexuality and sexual orientation.  And it goes on and on.


Whatever your identities are, spending a week immersed in Accelerating Racial Justice will help you learn about yourself.  

Sure, you'll learn about others and you'll build knowledge and skills.  But, don't be afraid to sign up just for the "selfish" reason of simply getting to know yourself and what you hope to do better.

Apply now for Accelerating Racial Justice!  Applications due by 5PM on Friday, June 15th.

RAPP XXVII Peer Leader and XXIV alumna Mieshia Barnes thinking things through at at RAPP retreat at Grailville (where Accelerating Racial Justice will be held).

How to ApplyThere are two steps to apply for this life-changing program:

1. Read the Information for Potential Applicants.  This piece is designed to cover the common questions people may have about Accelerating Racial Justice to help you decide if it's what you're looking for.
2. Complete a written application.  This application gathers basic information from candidates.  Information on how to access the application is available in the Information for Potential Applicants, which you are expected to read before completing a written application.

Please contact Rebecca Lehman at lehmanrl@uc.edu or 513.556.6119 with any questions you may have.

Apply for Accelerating Racial Justice - What Better Way to Kick Off 2012-13?!

August is the start of a new school year!  From childhood to now, to me that has meant a new class schedule, new instructors, new classmates (with some familiar thrown in).  More important for me, it has also meant a new start - a chance to try new things.

If a new school year has meant any of these things to you, hopefully you also share that it's a chance to try new things.  Why not try a new thing with RAPP:  Accelerating Racial Justice!


Accelerating Racial Justice is RAPP's newest intensive.  Through it, you spend five days and four nights building community while enhancing your knowledge and skills in racial justice and inclusive leadership.

If becoming a better leader is any part of your new school year, join us for Accelerating Racial Justice!

If knowing more about yourself is any part of your new school year, join us for Accelerating Racial Justice!

If knowing more about your community - both on campus and writ large -is any part of your new school year, join us for Accelerating Racial Justice!

If having a week to recharge sounds like a good way to start a new school year, join us for Accelerating Racial Justice!

If making new friends is any part of your new school year, join us for Accelerating Racial Justice!

Apply today for Accelerating Racial Justice!  Applications are due by 5PM on Friday, June 15th.

Start your year before Welcome Weekend (full of fun events like this one, the Asian Student Welcome) - join us for Accelerating Racial Justice!

How to ApplyThere are two steps to apply for this life-changing program:

1. Read the Information for Potential Applicants.  This piece is designed to cover the common questions people may have about Accelerating Racial Justice to help you decide if it's what you're looking for.
2. Complete a written application.  This application gathers basic information from candidates.  Information on how to access the application is available in the Information for Potential Applicants, which you are expected to read before completing a written application.

Please contact Rebecca Lehman at lehmanrl@uc.edu or 513.556.6119 with any questions you may have.