Upward Bound on our Home Turf

Yesterday I enjoyed another great time with high school students. The Upward Bound Program here at UC invited us to present about RAPP to the students in their program.
It was great to see several RAPPers working with the UB students - Brenna (XXII), Jazz (XXV), and Leanece (XXV). They helped immensely in explaining the RAPP 9-month program.
After a quick intro about RAPP and Student Activities and Leadership Development, the students explored their ideas, values, and experiences of race and racsim. They did a good job challenging each other and many worked through the challenge of trying to see an idea from another point of view.
I really enjoyed the afternoon with this energetic and clever bunch!

If you're interested in workshops and/or exploratory activities for your group or program, contact me any time at lehmanrl@uc.edu!

A Short but Busy Week

I wanted to tell you a little about this shortened week because I think it highlights some of the things we've got cooking for the RAPP XXVI year! Along with our usual outreach to incoming students at the Bearcat Bound Orientation, there are three interesting things on the calendar:

• Thursday morning I'll be attending an orientation session for Potential Partner Organizations with Public Allies Cincinnati. This means RAPP has been selected as a potential partner organization! We'll be continuing to work through August to try to find a match to work with us in the 2010-2011 school year. If we find a match, we'll employ a Public Ally to work with RAPP XXVI and RAPPORT 10-11. We'll also be connected with the many amazing organizations in the Public Allies Cincinnati network.
• Thursday evening I'll be back out with the Upward Bound students at the College of Mt. St. Joseph. This, to me, represents our increasing outreach to the Cincinnati community. One of the great benefits we'll get if we're able to have a Public Ally is increased staff time to do outreach. I'd love for us to continue the work we've started with other colleges and university (Cincinnati State, Thomas Moore, now Mt. St. Joe's) and community organizations (Leadership Scholars). If you would like free outreach workshops for your program or organization, contact me any time at lehmanrl@uc.edu.
• Saturday afternoon I'll be in Columbus for an Ohio chapter meeting of the National Association for Multicultural Education (NAME). I joined NAME this year to get connected with the great resources and people involved in the field. Increased participation within NAME is a goal for me this year.

Upward and Onward

Tonight I'll be off doing something I've been greatly looking forward to:

Working with the students of the Upward Bound program at the College of Mt. St. Joseph.

This summer they have 31 students and 6 mentor counselors who are already known for their excellence and academic prowess.

We'll be talking about leadership styles and language. I look forward to our conversations this week and next!