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... Neurophysiologists!

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.

Tyler (center) received the 2013 Leadership Award from the UC LGBTQ Center.

Tyler Thompson (RAPP XXV) was a Peer Leader with RAPP XXVII. Tyler graduated a year ago with degrees in Neuroscience and Psychology.  He is currently a Neurophysiologist at Nielsen NeuroFocus.

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... 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.

Summer Time is Meeting Time!

Around the RAPP Office, summer is a time for many projects.  Training, long-range planning, analyzing the previous year's programs' impact, Accelerating Racial Justice updates & preps, grappling with big questions, and more is tackled by all the great people who make RAPP happen - student staff, volunteers, and the Steering Committee.

Here are some of the big projects we've been working on lately:

• Working through how to effectively implement "year one" of Kingian Nonviolence Conflict Reconciliation training through SALD.  With the support of the Diversity Council, RAPP Program Coordinator Rebecca Lehman was able to become a Level I certified trainer in this.  How do we make sure they made an excellent investment?
• "Refreshing" the curriculum, session plans, and materials of Accelerating Racial Justice.  Refreshing is what I call the process of reviewing and applying all of the feedback we gathered throughout the pilot week and during two-week, two-month, and eight-month follow-up surveys.
• Exploring whether and how we could further integrate faculty and staff into the RAPP's current programming.  There is an imperative to connect more with these groups, but RAPP lacks the resources to establish any new programming.

Much gratitude to the following people for all their work with these major projects!
Becca Hammond (Resident Education & Development)
Brice Mickey (XXV)
Corinne Patterson (Women in Leadership & Learning)
Ericka Duckworth Harrison (University Judicial Affairs)
Gregory Gamble (ARJ 2012)
Jamieson Williams (XXVII)
Kim Fulbright (Ombuds)
Lauren Clark (UC Learning Assistance Center)
Megan Kreaps (XXVII)
Nicole Mayo (Director, SALD)
Shyamal Ruparel (XXVI)
Susie Mahoney (SALD)
Terri Hurdle (SALD

Notes from the latest Kingian Nonviolence training planning meeting.

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

 

Announcing the Leadership Team for RAPP 2013-14!

The selection process for the limited leadership roles available in RAPP is a challenging one - each year, we have more more-than-qualified applicants than spots available.

Many thanks to the great campus leaders who helped make this imperfect process a manageable and even enjoyable one:  AJ E (RAPP XXVI), Ana M (RAPP XXVI), Becca H (RED), Farooq A (RAPP XXVII), Maggy F (RED), Shyamal R (XXVI), & Susie M (SALD)!

Many thanks also to the all of the great Bearcats who applied for the positions.  It was truly a talented group, making the selection process a difficult one.  All of the applicants are leaders in RAPP and around campus who work to make our campus a more just and caring community.

Please join me in welcoming those who were placed into formal positions:

Accelerating Racial Justice 2013
Peer Leaders:
Corinne Pattersion - Activists Coming Together (ACT), Women in Leadership & Learning (WILL)
Gregory Gamble - ARJ 2012, Social Justice League 2012-13
Jazmyn Battie - ARJ 2012
Maya Whyte - RAPP XXVIII

Process Observers:
Jojo Azevedo - RAPP XXIV, RAPP XXVI Peer Leader, ARJ 2013 & RAPP XXVII Student Facilitator, Social Justice League 2010-2013
Kevin Weber - RAPP XXVI, Social Justice League 2011-13

Student Facilitators:
Jamieson Williams - RAPP XXVII, ARJ 2013 Student Worker
Megan Kreaps - RAPP XXVII, Social Justice League 2012-13

RAPP XXIX
Peer Leaders:
Jalisa Holifield - RAPP XXVII, ARJ 2012 Peer Leader, Social Justice League 2012-13, ACT, WILL
Nathaniel Bell - RAPP XXVIII
Siva Nagi Reddy Inturi - RAPP XXVI

Student Facilitator/Worker:
Brice Mickey

RAPPORT
Student Workers:
Jamieson Williams - RAPP XXVII, ARJ 2013 Student Worker/Facilitator
Matthew Woodruff - RAPP XXVI, RAPP XXVII Peer Leader, Social Justice League 2011-13

ARJ 2014
Student Worker:
Meg Groat - RAPP XXVIII

Snapshots from the RAPPORT Year-End Celebration

Last week we celebrated the 2012-13 academic year of RAPPORT - a year of learning, growing, leadership, and fun!  Here are some snapshots of the evening.

The more-than-two-dozen participants enjoyed a dinner from Deep India.

While filling our stomachs, we shared fun memories from the many RAPPORT activities throughout the year.  Then we wrote how we'll each apply something we learned from our interactions in RAPP/ORT this year.

Alexis plans to join RAPP XXIX!

Allison has several takeaways: paying attention to context & semantics, looking for opportunities to better the world, and appreciating good friends!

Vicky will always meet people with an open heart and an open mind!

We ended with recognizing each Bearcat who had earned a RAPP Social Justice Peer Educator Certificate - they shared what the process had meant to them and then participants all shared reflections on the positive impact the person had had on them and/or the group process.

Laura receives her RAPP Social Justice Peer Educator Certificate!

Sharing memories generated lots of laughs, some tears, and a celebration of continual learning!

The evening was facilitated and emceed by Jojo!

Why Did You Join RAPP Ep. 5

Why Did You Join RAPP?

We asked a few RAPPORT members why did they initially join RAPP.
Now, we have RAPP XXIV alum and RAPP superstar Jojo Azevedo.

Why Did You Join RAPP Ep. 2

Why Did You Join RAPP?

We asked a few RAPPORT members why did they initially join RAPP.
First, we have RAPP XXVI member, RAPP XXVII Peer Leader and ARJ 2012 Process Observer Matthew Woodruff.

Why Did You Join RAPP Ep. 1

Why Did You Join RAPP?

We asked a few RAPPORT members why did they initially join RAPP.
First, we have RAPP XXVII member and ARJ 2012 Peer Leader Jalisa Holifield.

Save the Date: RAPP Pin Day! April 18th!

For the RAPP 25 Year Reunion in 2011, we ordered RAPP lapel pins to give to all participants. Since then, we've made a tradition of giving these pins to RAPPers as they graduate at their banquet and as small tokens of gratitude to key RAPP supporters.

On Thursday, April 18th we invite you to join us in welcoming the newest class of RAPP alumni into the community on RAPP Pin Day!  RAPP XXVIII will have received theirs the evening before.

Lost your lapel pin?  Stop by the RAPP Office and get a new one!

On RAPP Pin Day, stop by sporting your lapel pin in the RAPP Office (669 Steger) for a gift & photo.

Marjorie & Jojo sport their RAPP lapel pins at the RAPP XXVII Tuesday Banquet!

Snapshots of RAPP in the City-Wide MLK Events

Despite the cold & snow, Greater Cincinnati came together yet again for the civil rights march on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.  Although many Bearcats were spread throughout the city doing service through the Crosstown Help Out, the Red & Black were still out in force at the march - including nearly all UC NPHC chapters (the only one not there was also out doing community service!).

Here are a few pictures from the day:

Waiting for the bus to ride down to the march!

We met up with friends in front of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center for the start of the march.

Marching to Fountain Square

Many of us joined up with NPHC - and the several RAPPers in their leadership! - for a group photo in  front of Cincinnati Music Hall.

Snapshots from RAPPORT 2013 Retreat

Last weekend, 19 RAPP alumni came together in Daniels Hall for the 5th Annual RAPPORT Retreat!

Here are some snapshots of our time together:

Group shot midway through!

Daycia  (XXVII) overcome with excitement!

Jojo thinking quietly during the evening reflection time.

Fun poses with Kevin (XXVI), Megan (XXVII), and Jamieson (XXVII).

DeVorah (XXIV), AJ (XXVI), and Alyssa (XXV) in deep discussion .

Maggie (XXV) and Farooq (XXVII) explain their group's definition of what empathy is not.

Maggie (XXV), Keshar (XXVII), Megan (XXVII), and Jojo (XXIV) working on how to confront ableism!

RAPPORT 2012 baby GemariYah stoppped by for a visit with her mom (DeVorah, XXIV) and the group

Welcome Our "New" RAPPORT Facilitator - Jojo Azevedo!

Over the last several years, we tried many staff structures to support and sustain the growth of RAPP's programming through its work in intensives, RAPPORT, and outreach.  For 2012-13, we're harnessing the talent of outstanding student leaders by having three student workers - Brice Mickey and Jamieson Williams have been introduced as the first two-thirds of these.

Beginning this January, Jamieson will be transitioning to the Accelerating Racial Justice (ARJ) student worker and Jojo Azevedo will be coming on board to work with reshaping RAPPORT.

Jojo is a familiar face in RAPP!  He is a senior in Communication and just returned from a semester-long study abroad in Japan.  He is an alum of RAPP XXIV, Peer Leader with RAPP XXVI, student Facilitator with RAPP XXVII, worked on the committee that created ARJ and its curricula, served as student Facilitator for the pilot run of ARJ 2012, and has been in the Social Justice League since it began in 2010.  Not to mention his work as a recruitment leader, his commercial  and other creative videos for RAPP, his volunteering at the 25 Year Reunion, his emphasis on community building, and general work to keep the RAPP Office open and accessible have greatly benefited RAPP.

In other words, his contributions to RAPP are great and he is an ideal person to help reshape our impact through RAPPORT!  Welcome back, Jojo!

Jojo smiling in the RAPP Office!

Recognizing Participation: RAPP XXVIII Stays Strong a Whole Semester!

As the first RAPP group to come together under semesters, RAPP XXVIII had an even larger challenge for attendance in that they had more meetings under the timeline of a semester than a quarter.  Whereas previous groups in recent years had four meetings and one retreat each quarter, this group had six meetings, one retreat, and an orientation in its first semester (they have six meetings, two retreats, and a banquet ahead for spring semester).

With that in mind, there were many chances for "life happens" to make it impossible for a member to make it to a meeting.  Given the time demands The RAPP Commitment makes on already full schedules of students, I think it's important to take time to recognize the folks who were able to uphold it this time around.

Here are the folks currently in RAPP XXVIII who have had perfect attendance all fall semester 2012:

Abbey Falcone
Aditi Naik
Anthony Foster
Bridget Parhman
Gabby Russell
Kahvah Yisrael
Kalilah Montgomery
Leah Baccus
Lindy Zeff
Marq White
Maya Whyte
Monique Walker
Nathaniel Bell
Oge Okoh
Owen Riley
Rebekah Clinger
Sabria Berry
Sarah Seiger
Shawnee Haslon
Thia Jackson

Our Peer Leaders make a lesser time commitment in terms of meetings, but all three have exceeded this commitment (in so many ways beyond the time!).  Many thanks to Farooq Alkhateeb, Kristin Myers-Young, and Tina Lu for their great work!  Our student Facilitator, Brice Mickey, has also well exceeded his expected commitment - countless thanks are due!

Marq, Rachel, Emma, Iman, & Aditi show part of the RAPP XXVIII handsign!