RAPP Leaders Go On To Be... Social Workers!

A couple of years back, we made a couple videos called "RAPPers Go On To Be..." to highlight how involvement in RAPP makes sense for all Bearcats regardless what career you might be headed toward.

In reflecting on encouraging people to apply for formal leadership positions in RAPP, we thought it could be similarly useful to highlight how people have contributed to RAPP and gone on to apply the knowledge they learned in a variety of impactful professions.

Kurt speaks at the RAPP XXVI Wednesday Banquet.

Kurt Southard (RAPP XXIII) was a Peer Leader with RAPP XXV and Facilitator with RAPP XXVI. After graduating top of their class in 2011, they served with AmeriCorps in the National AIDS Fund Team Chicago and The Night Ministry. Kurt currently applies their social work expertise at the Chicago Women's AIDS Project.

Laura (left) and her high-five buddy Naila at ARJ 2012.

Laura Perez (RAPP XXVII) was a Peer Leader with Accelerating Racial Justice 2012, after also helping create the program as a member of the RAPP Working Group. Laura just graduated with a Masters of Social Work from the UC School of Social Work and passed the Ohio State Board licensing exam. She is applying her social work expertise at the Talbert House in Brown County.

RAPP Leaders Go On To Be... AmeriCorps Volunteers!

A couple of years back, we made a couple videos called "RAPPers Go On To Be..." to highlight how involvement in RAPP makes sense for all Bearcats regardless what career you might be headed toward.

In reflecting on encouraging people to apply for formal leadership positions in RAPP, we thought it could be similarly useful to highlight how people have contributed to RAPP and gone on to apply the knowledge they learned in a variety of impactful professions.

Many RAPPers go on to serve in AmeriCorps, a program of the US federal government that engages adults in intensive community service work (including Public Allies).  Here are two recent RAPP leaders who served:

Maika (left) with Steve at the RAPP XXIII Banquet

Maika Arnold (RAPP XXII) was a Peer Leader and Student Worker for RAPP XXIII.  2009-2010, Maika served in AmeriCorps with HomePort in Columbus, OH.

Kevin (right) receives his 2012-13 Social Justice League certificate from Jojo.

Kevin Weber (RAPP XXVI) was a Process Observer with Accelerating Racial Justice 2013. He is currently serving with AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps.

RAPP Leaders Go On To Be... Public Allies!

A couple of years back, we made a couple videos called "RAPPers Go On To Be..." to highlight how involvement in RAPP makes sense for all Bearcats regardless what career you might be headed toward.

In reflecting on encouraging people to apply for formal leadership positions in RAPP, we thought it could be similarly useful to highlight how people have contributed to RAPP and gone on to apply the knowledge they learned in a variety of impactful professions.

RAPP & Public Allies have long had a strong overlap in people given our shared work toward a just society and honoring that everyone leads!

Ashley shows off her artwork at the RAPPORT 2009 Retreat.

Ashley Bennet Gray (RAPP XXII) was a graduate assistant and student worker with RAPP XXIII and RAPPORT.  Ashley served in Public Allies in 2009-2010.

Kinsey (2nd from right) leads a group of volunteers in a joint role for Public Allies & RAPP.

Kinsey Brown (RAPP XXIII) was a Peer Leader with RAPP XXIV Sunday.  Kinsey served in Public Allies in 2010-2011 with RAPP.

Marjorie (far left) reps RAPP with several other RAPP alumni who served in Public Allies.

Marjorie Bledsoe (RAPP XXV) was a Peer Leader with RAPP XXVI Wednesday.  Marjorie served in Public Allies in 2011-2012 with RAPP.

Jojo smiles for the camera at Accelerating Racial Justice 2013.

Jojo Azevedo (RAPP XXIV) was a Peer Leader with RAPP XXVI Wednesday, facilitator for RAPP XXVII and Accelerating Racial Justice (ARJ) 2012, and process observer for ARJ 2013.  He is currently serving in Public Allies 2013-2014 with the Academy of World Languages.

RAPP Leaders Go On To Be... National Frame-changers

A couple of years back, we made a couple videos called "RAPPers Go On To Be..." to highlight how involvement in RAPP makes sense for all Bearcats regardless what career you might be headed toward.

In reflecting on encouraging people to apply for formal leadership positions in RAPP, we thought it could be similarly useful to highlight how people have contributed to RAPP and gone on to apply the knowledge they learned in a variety of impactful professions.

Un and her child Anouk at the RAPP XXIV Fall Retreats

Un Kyong Ho was facilitator & graduate assistant with RAPPs XXI & XXII before becoming the Program Coordinator of Diversity Education, coordinating & facilitating RAPP XXIII and coordinating the grant proposal that led to RAPP's restructuring in 2008. She also led the re-development of and facilitated RAPPORT.

Un Kyong is associate producer on the recent documentary Private Violence, which offers a harrowing account of domestic violence from the perspective of two survivors which works to disrupt the oft-asked question "why doesn't she just leave?"  She is also a producer on (and blogger for) the series A Chef's Life, which explores food issues through sharing the story of a family-owned farm-to-table restaurant in eastern North Carolina.

Private Violence Trailer (3 minutes) from Cynthia Hill on Vimeo.

A Chef's Life teaser from A Chef's Life on Vimeo.

RAPP Leaders Go On To Be... Lawyers!

A couple of years back, we made a couple videos called "RAPPers Go On To Be..." to highlight how involvement in RAPP makes sense for all Bearcats regardless what career you might be headed toward.

In reflecting on encouraging people to apply for formal leadership positions in RAPP, we thought it could be similarly useful to highlight how people have contributed to RAPP and gone on to apply the knowledge they learned in a variety of impactful professions.

Several people who held leadership roles in RAPP have gone on toward a career in law!

Steve's self-submitted picture for the RAPP XXIV roster.

Steve Succop was a facilitator with RAPPs XXII, XXIII, and XXIV.  He co-authored the current curriculum for the 9-month intensive.

Steve is currently a law student at CUNY Law School, the country's premier public interest law school. He is a legal intern at Main Street Legal Services in New York, which provides direct services related to citizenship, domestic violence, immigration, and legal services.

Sarvani waved hello to the camera at the RAPP XXV Tuesday fall retreat.

Sarvani Prasad wrote the grant proposal the reshaped RAPP's structure in 2008 as a graduate assistant. She also was a facilitator with RAPPs XXIV and XXV as well as co-authored the current curriculum for the 9-month intensive.

Sarvani is an alumna of UC College of Law where she earned both a JD and an MA in Women's Studies. She is currently a Legal Research Assistant with the Kettering Foundation and previously worked at Legal Aid of Western Ohio and Advocates for Basic Legal Equity.

Rachel showed her favorite pose at the RAPP XXVII Wednesday Winter Retreat

Rachel Berman (RAPP XXV) was a Peer Leader for RAPP XXVI and Facilitator for RAPP XXVII. She also served on the Working Group that created Accelerating Racial Justice.

Rachel is currently a student at Emory University School of Law.  She currently doing an externship with the Fulton County Public Defender and previously was an intern at Georgia Capital Defender.

All Over Spotlight!

At Student Spotlight during Bearcats Bound Orientation, a photo hunt found RAPPers displayed all around the atrium.  It's unlikely we found every RAPPer who was in the pictures, but check out who was found among all these tables:

Student Wellness Center

RAPP XXVII alumna Tiffany Stainfield

African American Cultural & Resource Center and Ethnic Programs & Services

RAPP VI alumna Dr. Bleuzette Marshall and RAPP I alum William Harris

RAPP XXVII alumna Kayla Ihuekwu

The Wesley House - Methodist Campus Ministries

RAPP XXVII alumna Keshar Smith

 Serve Beyond Cincinnati

RAPP XXIII alumna Mei Hseih

 Programs & Activities Council

RAPP XXIV alumna Latoya Watson

GenderBloc

RAPP XXV alumni Rachel Berman & Tyler Thompson, RAPP XXVII alum Adrian Vance, and RAPP XXVIII alumna Emma Smith 

 The Women's Center

RAPP XXIV alumna Katie Meyer

ARJ 2012 alumna Kara Mate

RAPP XXVII alumni Jalisa Holidfield & Ana Montalvan

ARJ 2013 Peer Leader Corinne Patterson

Orientation Staff

RAPP XXVII alum Gregor McCord and RAPP XXV alumna Kristin Myers-Young

 Student Activities Board

RAPP XXVII alumna Samar Sheriff

ARJ 2012 alumna Jazmyn Battie

UC International

RAPP XXVI alum Dan Pham

RAPP XXIV alum Blake Jelley

RAPP XXV alum Anthony de la Rosa

 

Why Did You Join RAPP Ep. 4

In an extra special Why Did You Join RAPP, we have The Rebecca Lehman!

We asked a few RAPPORT members why did they initially join RAPP.
Now we learn why Rebecca Lehman, RAPP XXII member and the current RAPP Program Coordinator initially got involved in the program!

RAPPORT's V-Week - Feb 11th & 14th!

Come join RAPPORT for a joint meeting with the V-Day College Campaign out of the Women's Center!

The event will be held on Thursday, February 14th, starting at 6pm in front of Zimmer Auditorium.

RAPPORT members will be helping with set up for the Vagina Village, a resource fair related to the Vagina Monologues. We'll also be participating in the Village, an activism project and the teach-in for 1 Billion Rising.

On Monday, February 11th, we'll be having an informal screening related to the V-Day movement at 6pm in 455 Steger Conference Room. There will be popcorn! Check out Facebook for more details about the events

RAPPers and friends of RAPP who performed in & attended the 2010 Vagina Monologues
Front Row (l-r): Kelly (XXV), Kenzie (ARJ 2013), Nancy (XXIV)
Back Row (l-r): Patty, Kimmins (XXIII), Rachel (XXV), Mimi, Sarah (XXV), Anthony (XXV) 

RAPP Working Group Up & Running

This past Thursday, March 15th, a group of Bearcats from throughout UC's community came together for the first of four Working Group meetings to guide RAPP through our upcoming programming transition.

The group got acquainted, spent time defining racial justice & inclusive leadership, then tackled some big questions for our work over the next few meetings.

This working group is laying the foundation for RAPP's 2012-13 programming transition.  We'll continue offering our core 9-month program but with only one group of 35 students (for the last four years we've offered two concurrent groups of up to 35).  Instead of that second 9-month group, RAPP will offer a 5-day racial justice & inclusive leadership intensive - hopefully running the pilot program of it this August.

The next Working Group meeting is tomorrow, March 20th, from 5:30-7:30.  Please contact Rebecca if you're interested in joining us!

About half of the working group posed for a post-meeting picture.

RAPP Reunion Photos: Highlighting Volunteers

The RAPP 25 Year Reunion, celebrated on May 14th, was made possible through the hard work of a dedicated team of volunteers.

Some served for up to fifteen months on the planning committee, which began working in February 2010.  The committee included:  Kimberly McGinnis Bonner (VIII), Robin Selzer (UC Alumni Association), Mel Davis (XXVI), Bobby Filbin (XXV), Danielle Thomas (XXV), and Stacy Randle (XXVI).  This team worked to connect with all the RAPPers we could find and to put together the evening's activities.

The evening's activities were conducted by a great team of capable, flexible volunteers, some of whom are pictured below.

Jessica Roberts (XXIV) and Dr. Nicole Ausmer (SALD) planned and led the pre-party campus tour.
Terri Hurdle (SALD), Nicole Mayo (SALD), Robin Selzer, and Kaila Noland (XXVI) prepared the room, rearranging furniture and creating & placing decorations.
Catalina Florea (XXVI), Siva Nagi Reddy Inturi (XXVI), Robin Selzer, Matthew Woodruff (XXVI), and Kaila Noland staffed the registration table throughout the evening, getting everyone checked in and distributing gift bags.
Mel Davis (XXVI), Stacy Randle, and Kinsey Brown (XXIII) all staffed the food table, helping set up the food as it was delivered and keep the table organized throughout the night.  Mel also coordinated the ordering of food and labeling system.

Bobby Filbin was our A/V guru - making the playlist and running the sound and video equipment all night long.
David Taylor (XXVI) and Chris Flowers (volunteer) staffed the bar all evening, distributing free non-alcoholic drinks as well as running the cash bar that fund-raised for the Linda Bates Parker Scholarship Fund.

Many thanks to our dedicated team!  Thank you for making it possible for twenty-five years of RAPPers to connect!

Mel & Stacy working hard to get the food ready!

Siva & Catalina smile during a pause in registrations.

Mel checks in with Bobby, our AV superstar!

Jessica taking RAPPers around campus during the pre-party tour.

Nicole giving cheerful instructions during the pre-party campus tour!

David & Chris at the drink station/bar.

Introducing the 2010-11 Social Justice League!

A group photo of the 2010-11 Social Justice League

Last night's RAPPORT meeting was an exciting one:  We celebrated the first group to graduate from the new RAPP Social Justice League! Or, to say it more professionally, our first group of participants in the RAPP Social Justice Peer Educator certification program were certified.

Please join us in congratulating our new group of distinguished RAPP social justice peer educators!

Amber Easterling, RAPP XXV
Bobby Filbin, RAPP XXV
Brice Mickey, RAPP XXV
DeVorah YisraEL, RAPP XXIV
Jojo Azevedo, RAPP XXIV
Kimmins Southard, RAPP XXIII
Kinsey Brown, RAPP XXIII
Krystal Smith, RAPP XXIV
Maggie Yoder, RAPP XXV
Marjorie Bledsoe, RAPP XXV
Meagan Lauer, RAPP XXV
Rachel Berman, RAPP XXV
Tyler Thompson, RAPP XXV
Wil Pierce, RAPP XXV

These 14 individuals had a great impact on RAPP as well as this campus through the variety of ways in which they worked to complete the certificate.  The process involves participating in a variety of training experiences and leading social justice education activities in a variety of contexts.  Social Justice League members impacted our campus through their work in RAPP as well as through presentations in learning communities, classes, and conferences.

DeVorah receives her certificate for her work in the Peer Leader track of SJL!

Maggie, who earned her certificate in the RAPPORT-Only track, shows off the 2010-11 SJL polo!

Kimmins Southard Spotlighted in The News Record

Kimmins Southard, our intern through Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, was a front page news story in today's The News Record:

Kimmins Southard

By James Sprague | News Editor

Published: Thursday, May 26, 2011

Updated: Thursday, May 26, 2011 01:05

Sam Greene | Online Editor

Kimmins Southard, a Cincinnatus scholar and prominent advocate of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer community at the University of Cincinnati has been named the UCs 2011 C-Ring award winner.

A fourth-year social work student, Kimmins was honored with the award at the annual C-Ring banquet May 14 for a devotion to academic excellence, service, leadership and advocacy for women and girls on campus and in the community.

The C-Ring award "recognizes women who work to improve the quality of life in our communities and who feel a responsibility to the greater world and to advancing the status of women and girls," according to UC Women's Center's website. The first C-Ring was awarded in 1922.

"I was ecstatic when I found out that I was one of the end finalists and just excited for that honor in and of itself," Southard said. "I found out that I was the recipient at the same time as everyone else. I was shocked."

Southard, in addition to being a Cincinnatus scholar and advocate for the LGBTQ community, also participated in the racial awareness program RAPP, where students educated each other and debated social justice issues.

Southard also served as a peer advocate in the UC Women's Center Reclaim program, a health educator with the UC Wellness Center and was a participant in the Ohio Council of Advocates for Youth, which encourages a positive and realistic approach regarding adolescent sexual health.

"It feels fantastic to be recognized for all of the advocacy work I have done while at UC," Southard said. "It has been a long four years, and all my hard work would still have been worth it without receiving any awards. However, it feels really great and really validating to know that UC has recognized all my hard work."

Receiving the award has empowered Kimmins to believe that changes can still be made in the community through hard work and perseverance.

"It has definitely motivated me to bring the same energy with me in my future endeavors and not to give up fighting the good fight for social justice," Southard said.

That energy impressed one UC faculty member.

"What has impressed me most is Southard's willingness to take risks as they challenge themselves and others to make this campus and community better," said Ruth Anne Van Loon, an associate professor of social work. "[Southard's] risk-taking is not impulsive but rather well-considered and planned."

Best known for LGBTQ advocacy, Southard said the UC LGBTQ community has made huge strides during the last four years.

"This year we have an independent LGBTQ Center with a full-time staff person, which is something I advocated for starting my first year of college," Southard said. "It is very exciting to see all of the changes at UC over the last four years, both with policy changes and with the changes in the attitudes and knowledge of the student body and UC faculty and staff."

Southard credited their parents with encouraging their passion for social justice.

"My parents provided me with unbiased and honest information about reproductive right," Southard said. "And as result of this guidance, I gained valuable insight about the status of women's rights."

Snapshots from RAPP/RAPPORT Spring Service Day

This past weekend RAPP & RAPPORT students participated in a service day working with Cincinnati Public Allies and Cincinnati Union Bethel.  We spent the morning working with Team Sidetrack on the completion of the natural playground they've spent the year planning and building at CUB's Head Start facility in Winton Terrace.

Many of the volunteer team rode down in a van provided by RAPP.

Our group worked on several projects - prepping a "creek" bed, installing bridges, building structures to play in, and cleaning dangerous items out of donated dirt.

RAPP intern Mel (XXVI) posed by a playground element.

At the end of the morning our team posed with some of the Public Allies for a group shot - check out the fun playgrounds!  In the end, the traditional playground will connect with the natural one.

Thanks to Kinsey (XXIII) for organizing the service day and to Matthew (XXVI), Julia (XXVI), Amber (XXV), Sara (XXVI), Kaila (XXVI), Anum (XXV), Rebecca (XXII), Amber (XXV), Mel (XXVI), and Chris for spending the morning on this fun project!

"Tabling Season" 2011 in Swing!

One of the major ways we work to build visibility for RAPP and promote applications is what I fondly call annual tabling season.

With last week's WorldFest International Festival and today's Cinco de Mayo Fiesta, it's safe to say we're fully into tabling season now!

Keep an eye out here for future tabling fun!  In the meantime, here are some snapshots from the events:

Kinsey (RAPP Public Ally) & Mel (RAPP Communication Intern) welcome visitors to our table at WorldFest International Fest

Infinity photo with Dan (XXVI) at the International Fest

Jojo (XXIV) and Wil (XXV) stop by the RAPP booth at International Festival

Shy (XXVI) and Kinsey (PA & XXIII) enjoyed a variety of food at the International Festival

DeVorah & Jojo (both XXIV) enjoyed the beautiful weather at  the Cinco de Mayo Fiesta!

Siva (XXVI) & Kinsey (PA & XXIII) tried to stay warm at the RAPP booth at Cinco de Mayo

Jojo (XXIV), Mel (XXVI), and Bobby (XXV) all helped out at our booth for Cinco de Mayo!